EI 7.3.25 by Southern Lakes Newspapers / Rock Valley Publishing

Elmhurst Independent

4 on the 4th

ready to celebrate

The 20 th Elmhurst Running Club 4 on the 4 th will kick off the Fourth of July in Elmhurst at 7:15 a.m. on Friday.

“It will be a celebration of 20 great years of racing on the beautiful streets of Elmhurst and giving back to a community that is known nationwide as a great place for running,” said race director Bob Richards of the Elmhurst Running Club. “From a humble start in 2005, we’ve built this race into a true showcase event for Elmhurst and one of the strongest races in the Chicago area.”

The 4-mile run starts and finishes just south of the Elmhurst University main gate on S. Prospect Avenue. The race has attracted participants from Elmhurst, many surrounding communities and more than 20 states. A field of 1,500 is expected.

Defending champions Chandler Gibbens of Chicago and Margaret Connelly of Glen Ellyn are not entered, leaving the men’s and women’s races wide open. The fields will be very strong, Richards said.

“Fast or slow, young or old, we want everyone to have a safe and fun morning as we start the holiday sparkle,” Richards said.

The accompanying Kids 1K (ages 5-12) event, run entirely on S. Prospect, goes off at 8:20. Close to 200 runners are expected.

Information, sponsors and late registration are available at 4on4th. run.

Cops and Bobbers

The Elmhurst Police Department hosted the recent Cops and Bobbers fishing derby at the Elmhurst Park District’s Adventure Day in Eldridge Park. “Despite some very toasty weather we saw some very skilled anglers catch some very big fish,” noted the police department in its social media post about the June 22 event at the Eldridge Park Lagoon.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Elmhurst Independent

Elmhurst Garden Walk & Faire takes place July 13

By Jane Charmelo FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT

The Elmhurst Garden Club will be showcasing six homes on Sunday, July 13, for what President Lynn Dowiarz calls “our biggest fundraiser,” aptly titled “An Afternoon in the Garden,” which will also include a vendor fair/craft boutique.

Dowiarz and Garden Walk

Committee Chair Lillian Pagano shared details about the walk, with Dowiarz saying that, ironically, she ended up joining the garden club after her garden was chosen for the walk one year not long after the COVID-19 pandemic. She remembers people driving by her house to check out her garden as a possible entry.

“The people were just so nice on the walk,” she recalled, that the experience compelled her to join, and now, a few short years later, she is the club’s president.

Dowiarz and Pagano related that the selection committee typically chooses six homes for the garden walk, with Pagano saying that it is “normally private houses,” although some public gardens have been featured over the years.

When asked how the gardens are chosen, Pagano replied that “It’s all different things,” but the most important criterion is, “It’s got to have good access in and out.”

Dowiarz agreed, saying “They [the committee] like to see it accessible in and out.”

Both club members said the committee gets suggestions for the garden walk from neighbors, social media and club members (whose gardens have been selected over time)—who often drive around looking for unique gardens that stand out.

Pagano said variety of plants and flowers, color, and even the use of garden ornaments that make a garden pop are factored in when selecting the gardens, and she used the words “unique” and “kitschy” to describe some of them, adding that it’s really about “the feel people get when they go look at it [a garden].”

Pagano also noted that the committee chooses gardens that offer something interesting and maybe even inspiring, but at the same time, “You don’t have to have a professional come out and do your yard.”

The bottom line for her though, is that “Sometimes it’s hard to pick.”

Calling Pagano “very organized,” Dowiarz said that “She’s done a heck of a job.”

Dowiarz said proceeds from the garden walk and fair are partly used for scholarships for five Illinois resident college students who are planning to major in horticulture-, agriculture-, environmentconservation- and other related fields.

One York High School student also receives a scholarship she said is to be used for a summer experience that focuses on one of the same types of topics.

According to its website,

the club has awarded 127 scholarships totaling over $255,000 since 1999, including $26,545 last year alone. Proceeds also go toward holiday decorating at the Elmhurst Public Library, maintaining an herb garden at Wilder Park, contributing to horticultural development at the Elmhurst University Arboretum, mentoring the York High School Garden Club, improving and maintaining the campus grounds at the Ray Graham Community Learning Center in Elmhurst and contributing to the Elmhurst Cool Cities Coalition for public environmental programs.

A list of the gardens will be available upon the purchase of tickets, which are $25.

The vendor fair will be held at Wilder Park, 211 S. Prospect Ave., Elmhurst. The garden walk and vendor fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit elmhurstgardenclub. org for a link to purchase tickets.

About the Elmhurst Garden Club

The Elmhurst Garden Club not only contributes to educational scholarships and local causes, but plants and maintains an 8,800-square-foot herb garden at Wilder Park

called Elizabeth’s Friendship Walk Herb Garden, in cooperation with the Elmhurst Park District.

The club’s Garden Therapy meets at 1 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month except for July and August, at Epiphany Lutheran Church,

located at Vallette and Spring roads. Members work with clients of the Adult Day Care Center, helping them make a floral arrangement or a plant to take home.

At the Ray Graham Community Learning Center in Elmhurst, club members es-

tablished, and maintain, a sustainable garden for the center’s participants, including a butterfly garden, certified Monarch Waystation, landscaping projects and a greenhouse program. Visit elmhurstgardenclub. org for more information.

3-Evening Program for Adult Learners

Monday, July 14

The Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art

Dave Oberg, Executive Director

Elmhurst History Museum

“From Naples to New York...and Beyond: The Thick and Thin of Pizza”

Tuesday, July 15

Elmhurst Hospital

Dr. Susan Hudec, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

Endeavor Health - Elmhurst Hospital

“Today’s Popular Weight-loss Drugs: The ‘Skinny’ on their Effectiveness and Other Considerations”

Wednesday, July 16

Community Bank of Elmhurst

Brook

Brook McDonald, President and C.E.O.

The Conservation Foundation

The

“The Best Dam Story in Eastern DuPage County: Conservation in our Communities”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF LYNN DOWIARZ Elmhurst Independent

The annual Elmhurst Garden Club Walk and Faire fundraiser will take place Sunday, July 13. The event will feature six local gardens. Pictured are three of the previously featured gardens.

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VFW Post 2801 presents awards

Villa Park Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2801 and its Auxiliary recently awarded the top three young artists in their 2024-25 art contest. Kindergarten students took part in an Americanism coloring contest in which they had to color a picture of a camouflage soldier. The top three students in the contest each received a certificate, a gift card and a patriotic airplane. All of the contest’s top three finishers attend Immanuel Lutheran School in Elmhurst. Pictured left to right are: (front row) Maisie Corcoran (first place), Ruby Ebersole (second place) and Malia Crane (third place); (back row) Post 2801 Auxiliary Junior Vice President Jan Bakes, Immanuel Lutheran School teacher Nancy Burden and Post 2801 Auxiliary President Jim Suchor.

Elmhurst Police Department reminds

law prohibits

use by those under age 18; E-scooters are not permitted in Elmhurst

On Saturday, June 28, the Elmhurst Police Department issued the following statement about electric scooters (E-scooters): The City of Elmhurst has educated residents about the state laws regulating E-scooters and E-bikes since May. Elmhurst’s E-bikes and E-scooters info flyer has been distributed through social media, the City E-newsletter, the printed Front Porch newsletter, and sent with all residential water bills this month. The Elmhurst Police Department has also been stopping children and explaining to them and their parents that they cannot ride E-scooters on public sidewalks or streets under age 18. It’s the law!

Despite these community education efforts, we continue to see children operating E-scooters in our town and it’s dangerous. Two weeks ago, a 14 year old rode an E-scooter through a neighborhood intersection, failed to yield for the posted signs and hit a car. Last week, another child on an E-scooter was riding on a sidewalk in a busy business area and was knocked over by a car pulling out of a driveway at slow speed. Fortunately, both children weren’t seriously injured and will be

OK. Unfortunately, both these children were breaking the laws governing E-scooters and are at-fault.

It’s easy to blame kids on E-scooters when they don’t follow basic traffic safety laws, but truly their parents should have prevented them from riding these motorized vehicles in the first place. E-scooter riders are NOT pedestrians. They are not the same as walking or riding a bicycle and that’s why it’s dangerous for children who haven’t been taught the Rules of the Road. Parents need to be responsible and take E-scooters away from children to keep them safe.

The Elmhurst Police Department realized many parents were unaware that E-scooters are currently not permitted in our City and the State does not allow those under 18 to ride them anywhere. That’s why we have done our best to educate our community in May and June. Officers are now issuing citations to those operating E-scooters in violation of the law. Parents, please do your part.

For more information on State of Illinois E-scooter laws, please review 625 ILCS 5/11-1518, Low Speed Electric Scooters.

New lights on Elmhurst City Centre’s

Elmhurst City Centre’s nearly 225 trees are getting a fresh new glow. The City of Elmhurst recently announced that over the next few weeks, crews will install more than 3,200 strands of new energy-efficient LED lights on those trees. Before installation began, the Elmhurst Forestry Department carefully removed the old lights and took the opportunity to professionally trim the trees, keeping them healthy and ready to shine. “Thank you for your continued patience and support as we work to enhance your experience in downtown Elmhurst,” noted the City of Elmhurst in a social media post last week.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

trees

TIME TO SPARKLE!

Start your Fourth of July celebration right at the 20th Elmhurst Running Club 4 on the 4th!

Light up your morning on the streets of Elmhurst! Both races start and finish on S. Prospect Ave. between Elmhurst University and Wilder Park.

Thank you to our many sponsors.

PLATINUM: Pour Destino, Elmhurst-Hinsdale; Molex, Lisle, Diana’s Bananas, Chicago

GOLD: Fleet Feet, Elmhurst; McGrath Elmhurst Toyota; Pilot Pete’s Coffee & Treats, Elmhurst

SILVER: DuPage Animal Hospital; Elmhurst Independent; Elmhurst Park District; Elmhurst University; Graybill Wealth Management; Kaczynski & Associates LTD; Kelly Stetler (Compass); Lakeside Bank; Lone Wolf RE; Pour Decisions Wine Co.; RecoveryRX Physical Therapy; Red Wing Shoes; Evergreen Park, Geneva, New Lenox; Roesch ChryslerDodge-Jeep-Ram; W3Body, A Women’s Training Gym

BRONZE: LeDonne True Value Hardware; Rebuilt PT and Performance

Police beat

The Elmhurst Police Department recently reported the following arrests and citations. Persons charged with domestic battery are not named in order to protect the privacy of victims. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a conviction, and that subjects are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Juveniles age 17 or younger are not named.

Assault, battery

June 22

Adan Carrera, 34, of Melrose Park, was charged with battery and disorderly conduct and issued a no trespass notice from a business in the 600 block of N. York at 7:02 p.m. Carrera reportedly threatened and pushed a victim after being asked to leave the business.

Damage to property, criminal trespassing

June 21

A victim at a business in the 300 block of S. Route 83 reported finding damage to her vehicle, which she stated was not present prior to leaving it unattended in the business’ parking lot.

June 18-June 19

A victim in the 200 block of S. Fairfield told police that an unknown suspect(s) broke the driver-side window of his truck. Nothing appeared to be missing from the vehicle.

Disorderly conduct

June 22

Marcin M. Grobelny, 36, of Clarendon Hills, was issued a citation for disorderly conduct in the 700 block of N. York. Grobelny reportedly opened an unlocked door of a victim’s parked vehicle. According to police, Grobelny admitted to opening the door to look at the vehicle.

June 20

Police said a reporting officer responded to a business in the 400 block of W. Grand at 4:49 p.m. after an unattended firearm was found in an employee restroom. Khalin T. Freund, 30, of Country Club Hills, was charged with disorderly conduct.

Domestic battery

June 25

A 21-year-old Maywood man was charged with two counts of domestic battery in the 300 block of S. Route 83 at 12:35 a.m. Police said the suspect admitted to battering the victim.

DUI, DUI-drugs, consumption of alcohol by a minor, illegal possession of alcohol

June 24

Yezenia M. Rosario, 25, of Hillside, was issued a citation for possession of open alcohol in public in the 100 block of E. Schiller at 7:42 p.m.

June 22

Mitchell C. Dale, 32 of Elmhurst, was charged with DUI, leaving the scene of a crash and failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash near St. Charles and York at 5:35 p.m.

June 20

Christopher Pino, 52, of Melrose Park, was issued a citation for possession of alcohol in

public in the 100 block of E. Schiller at 4:47 p.m. Police said an officer observed Pino drinking from an open container of alcohol.

Fleeing, eluding

According to information provided by the Elmhurst Police Department, police reported one incident of fleeing and eluding during which a driver fled the scene after being stopped for a traffic stop by police.

Identity theft, fraud

According to information provided by the Elmhurst Police Department, police reported two incidents of identity theft or fraud.

Possession of cannabis in a vehicle

June 22

Mikah K. Miller, 22, of Palatine, was charged with possession of cannabis by a driver after a traffic stop near I-290 and St. Charles at 2:14 p.m. Miller was released at the scene.

Possession of a controlled substance

June 20

Israel Bautista, 40, of Elmhurst, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of cannabis by a driver, driving while license suspended, operating a motor vehicle with registration suspended for non-insurance and no insurance after a traffic stop in the 500 block of W. Grand at 8:27 p.m.

Road rage

June 24

A victim near Palmer and Schiller told police that she and a subject were involved in a road rage incident, during which the occupants exchanged verbal insults. While stopped at a red light, the subject exited his vehicle, approached the victim’s vehicle, and spat on her face.

Theft,

retail theft, burglary, attempted theft or burglary, forgery, deceptive practice, obstruction, robbery

June 21

A complainant in the 300 block of N. Route 83 reported an unknown person(s) entered her unlocked vehicle and stole her

June 20

A victim in the 600 block of N. Larch reported at 11:54 p.m. that an unknown person(s) entered his parked truck, cleaned the interior, and removed multiple items that are now missing.

June 19

According to police, a victim in the 600 block of N. York reported while being distracted by one suspect, another suspect removed money and a wallet from her purse on May 2. On the above date, Jorge Danie Cortes-Rodriguez, 29, of Chicago, one of the suspects, was located and taken into custody. He was charged with burglary and theft.

June 18-June 19

A complainant told police an unknown suspect(s) entered the complainant’s unlocked vehicle sometime between the above dates and stole a wallet from the center console.

May 13-June 19

A victim in the 900 block of S. Route 83 told police that an unknown suspect(s) went into his storage unit and removed items sometime between the above dates.

June 17

A complainant at a store in the 300 block of S. Route 83 reported an unknown suspect entered the business and stole merchandise.

June 14-June 15

A victim in the 400 block of E. Butterfield reported a clay compactor was stolen from a job site sometime between the above dates. The compactor was entered into LEADS as stolen.

Warrant arrest

June 24

Police said that subsequent to the report of a retail theft in progress at a pharmacy in the 100 block of W. North at 11:28 p.m., Sara Dawood, 39, of Schiller Park, was located and found to have a valid failure to appear warrant out of Lake County. Dawood was processed on the warrant and transported to

the DuPage County Jail. Additional charges are pending.

Police said that following a traffic stop near North and Ferndale, Jose M. Perez, 39, of Hillside, was found to be driving with a suspended license, and to have a valid failure to appear warrant out of DuPage County. Perez was charged with driving with a suspended license and failure to wear a seat belt.

An officer on patrol observed a vehicle that was wanted out of Melrose Park. The officer initiated a traffic stop. Police learned that a passenger in the vehicle, Jose M. Rodriguez Lopez, 42, of Chicago, was found to have valid warrants out of DuPage County and Cook County.

June 23

Police said that subsequent to a motor vehicle accident in the 500 block of W. Grand, Shecara C. Branch, 41, of Michigan City, Indiana, was found to have a valid failure to appear warrant out of Porter County.

June 21

While on patrol in the 500 block of W. Grand, a reporting officer located Rafal Jakusz, 44, of Schaumburg, seated inside a vehicle parked in a business’s parking lot. Police made contact with Jakusz and found him to have an active warrant out of Cook County for DUI-drugs.

June 19

While on patrol in the 100 block of E. Butterfield at 3:13 a.m., a reporting officer observed Phillip V. Breckler, 38 (residence not given), whom police said was known to have an active warrant out of DuPage County.

June 17

Police said a complainant at a store in the 300 block of S. Route 83 reported an unknown suspect entered the business on the above date and stole merchandise. On June 23, the suspect, Annia Montejo-Chaveco, 37 of Miami, was located and found to have two valid failure to appear warrants out of Cook County. Montejo-Chaveco was taken into custody, processed on the warrants, charged with retail theft and obstructing identification, and transported to the DuPage County Jail.

Woman accused of crashing into a truck on scene of a fatal crash while drunk

DuPage

County State’s

Attorney Robert Berlin announced last week that Judge Alexander McGimpsey granted the state’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a Bolingbrook woman accused of DUI and crashing into an Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) truck that was on the scene of a fatal car crash investigation on June 22.

Estephany Antunez, 27, appeared in court on June 23, and was charged with one count of passing an emergency vehicle causing injury/ death (Class 4 felony) and 10 misdemeanor and petty traffic offenses, including DUI, leaving the scene of an accident involving damage to an attended vehicle, speeding

and attempted fleeing and eluding a police officer.

On June 22 at approximately 3 a.m., Illinois State Police (ISP) troopers were dispatched to a three-unit fatal crash on I-55 northbound, north of I-355. It is alleged that at approximately 7:30 a.m., while the ISP were investigating the crash, Antunez drove around the lane closures set up by ISP and struck an IDOT truck with a worker inside of the vehicle.

It is alleged that after Antunez struck the truck, she fled the scene, driving down a closed roadway where traffic crash reconstruction personnel were working on the scene.

It is further alleged that as Antunez fled the scene,

she nearly struck multiple deceased bodies in the roadway and an ISP Trooper. It is alleged that as Antunez fled the scene, an ISP Trooper activated his emergency lights and sirens and initiated pursuit. It is further alleged that Antunez failed to pull over and continued fleeing the trooper. The ISP trooper ultimately pulled Antunez over following a two-mile pursuit. It is alleged that Antunez’s blood-alcohol content was .173. She was arrested at that time. The driver of the IDOT truck was transferred to a local hospital with minor injuries.

Antunez’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 21 in front of Judge Joseph Bugos.

Addison teen charged with leading police on high-speed chase/illegal possession of firearm

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Wood Dale Chief of Police Chris Zito announced last week that Judge Alexander McGimpsey granted the state’s motion to detain pre-trial an Addison teenager accused of leading police on a high-speed chase and illegally possessing a handgun.

Emmanuel Rivera, 18, appeared in First Appearance Court and was charged with two counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding (Class 4 felony), one count of aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon (Class 4 felony) and multiple misdemeanor and petty traffic offenses including leaving the scene of an accident involving damage to an attended vehicle and speeding—35+mph over the limit.

On June 24 at approximately 9:08 p.m., Wood Dale police officers responded to a call of a disturbance in the 500 block of N. Maple Ave. involving a white Nissan Sentra. At approximately 9:21 p.m., officers observed the Nissan northbound on Maple Avenue as it turned east onto Elmhurst Street. Officers in two separate squad cars activated their emergency lights to perform a traffic stop.

Emmanuel Rivera

It is alleged that instead of pulling over, the Nissan, later determined to be driven by Ri-

vera, did not pull over, ignored a stop sign and fled East on Elmhurst Street.

With officers in pursuit of the Nissan, it is alleged that Rivera continued to flee at speeds of at least 60 mph in a 20-mph zone. It is further alleged that when Rivera turned southbound on Route 83 from Elmhurst Street, he crashed into a median and disabled his vehicle at which time Rivera and multiple occupants exited the vehicle and fled on foot.

Through the course of their investigation, officers identified Rivera as the alleged driver of the vehicle.

Later that evening, Rivera turned himself in to the Wood Dale Police Department. When searching the disabled Nissan, officers located a Glock

Hanover Park teen charged with reckless homicide

DuPage County State’s

Attorney Robert Berlin and Bloomingdale Director of Public Safety Frank Giammarese announced last week that a Hanover Park teen has been charged with reckless homicide for allegedly crashing his vehicle into another, causing the death of the female driver of the other vehicle.

Adrian Pleban, 18, appeared in First Appearance Court and was charged with two counts of reckless homicide (Class 3 felony) and two counts of aggravated reckless driving causing great bodily

harm (Class 4 felony).

On June 20, Judge Anthony Coco issued an arrest warrant for Pleban. Pleban turned himself in to authorities on June 25, and was released following his court appearance. As a condition of his release, Pleban is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle.

It is alleged that on Nov. 1, 2024, at approximately 10:36 p.m., Pleban was driving a 2013 BMW 328I southbound on Gary Avenue approaching Camden Drive at more than 35 mph over

the posted speed limit of 45 mph. It is alleged that Pleban failed to reduce speed and failed to keep a proper lookout and crashed his vehicle into a 2022 Ford Bronco, causing the driver of the vehicle to sustain injuries that led to her death.

It is further alleged that the crash caused traumatic injuries, including multiple fractures and contusions, to the passenger of the vehicle.

Pleban’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 21 in front of Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh.

New police officer in Elmhurst

The Elmhurst Police Department’s newest officer took his oath of office last week at City Hall. Mayor Scott Levin swore in Officer Caleb McCoy during a June 26 ceremony. McCoy’s family and several members of the police department attended the event. Officer McCoy is a United States Army veteran with prior deployments to the Middle East. He will complete the 16-week Illinois State Police Academy in Springfield before returning to the Elmhurst Police Department’s field training program.

27, sub-compact, .40 caliber firearm with one bullet in the chamber.

“Like so many before him, Mr. Rivera allegedly tried to outrun the police instead of simply pulling over,” Berlin said. “As a result of the outstanding work of the Wood Dale Police Department in identifying Mr. Rivera as the alleged driver of the vehicle, he will remain in custody awaiting trial.

Motorists have got to understand, if you hear sirens and see flashing lights behind you, you must pull over.

Fleeing from police is not an option and once apprehended you will find yourself facing additional felony charges. I thank the Wood Dale Police Department for their efforts on this case which resulted not only in the charges against Mr. Rivera but also removed an illegally possessed weapon from our streets.”

“This incident is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by those who choose to recklessly

disregard the law,” Zito said.

“The defendant’s actions not only put our officers at risk, but also posed a significant threat to public safety. I commend the swift and professional response of the Wood Dale officers involved, whose efforts led to the safe apprehension of the suspect and the recovery of an illegally possessed firearm.

“I also want to express my sincere gratitude to DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and his team for their continued dedication to justice and public safety here

in DuPage County. Additionally, I would like to thank the responding officers and our law enforcement partners from Bensenville, Carol Stream, Elmhurst, and the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office for their invaluable assistance. This case underscores the strength of our law enforcement partnerships and our shared commitment to keeping our communities safe.”

Rivera’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 21 in front of Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh.

Ted J. Soltys, deceased Jan. 14, 2025, a United States Air Force veteran, will be honored by having his name placed in the Roll of Remembrance at the Veterans Memorial in Elmhurst’s Wilder Park.

Soltys served during the Korean War with the 406th Communications Squadron stationed in Manston, England.

Soltys entered the service on April 1, 1951, attaining the rank of Private First Class, and was discharged on Sept. 29, 1952.

Viewpoint

Slices of life

Harnessing a wanderer

Over the last four-plus years I’ve given a lot of time thinking about emotions— joy, bliss, sorrow, anger and everything in-between. I’ve struggled. I’ve failed. I’ve crawled out of the rubble.

I’ve found glimmers of sunlight. I’ve had moments of success, amidst the storm clouds looming overhead.

Along the way, I believe I’ve made some discoveries and I’d like to try to share them here. They’ve provided insight for me and perhaps they can do the same for you.

I hope so.

First—and this is important—each of us has a say in how and what we feel. We impact our own emotions, by our thoughts and our actions.

For me, thoughts are much harder to control than actions, so we’ll address them first.

Our minds are beautiful, complex and scattered entities. I find it extremely difficult to control mine; it’s like it has a mind of its own.

I start out thinking about relaxing my thoughts and that morphs into ideas about a kitchen remodel, car repairs, possible birthday gifts for grandchildren, supper ideas, whether the toilets need cleaning, grocery lists, a need to go to the bathroom and my husband’s death. Not necessarily in that order.

Our thoughts are going to wander. That is a given. So we can’t (or at least we shouldn’t) beat ourselves up for something that is inevitable. What we can do

By JILL PERTLER Columnist

is recognize the wandering. Be aware of it. Make a note of it and move on. It’s as easy as that. Don’t judge. Don’t condemn. Simply accept, let go and advance to the next moment and the next thought.

When my mind wanders toward negativity, as it is wont to do, I attempt to replace it with something more positive - like how squirrels are inherently cute and put in our backyards for a reason. (Oh, never mind you naysayers!)

Actions are as important as thoughts, and can serve to impact them.

I’ve found that my environment affects my affect. Listening to sad songs makes me sad. The news makes we worry. Watching a TV series (or YouTube video) that makes me laugh out loud makes me happy out loud. It’s all so obvious, I know. But when you become aware of the obvious the fix becomes, well, obvious.

Certain places tend to serve as negative reminders of less happy times. I’d avoid them if I could, but that that isn’t always possible. Recognizing certain locations may serve as triggers can help one prepare for possible emotional overload.

There are numerous actions that one can put in her arsenal to positively impact emotions. Some are even steeped in scientific support. Exercise. Nature. Exercise in nature. Conversation and contact with people who support us in positive ways. Pets. Puppy and kitty videos (cheesy but true). Holding a baby (most especially a grand baby). Focusing on life, even when death seems to fill the room or the world. Turning off the news. Treating yourself to a manicure or facial or maybe both. Work. Helping others. Volunteering. Meditation. Journaling. Making plans for a trip or something you look forward to. Being silly. Cracking a joke. Making a gratitude list. It sounds pretty simple, because it is. Until you are in one of life’s holes and can’t quite see it that way. In those moments, which we all have, go back to the basics.

Breathe in and then out and remember that you and you alone are in control of your thoughts. Seek out a trusted friend to share time with. Find something you enjoy and then try to smile, or even laugh. If you cry instead, that’s okay.

What’s important is that you keep trying. You’ve got this.

Jill Pertler is an awardwinning syndicated columnist, published playwright and author. Don’t miss a slice; follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.

Opinion editorial

Resident asks Elmhurst Park District board to gather additional input regarding bandshell to be constructed in Wilder Park

I am writing an open letter to the Elmhurst Park District Board to request that they elicit additional input from residents on the structure and location of the bandshell to be built in Wilder Park.

Although the Park District Board clearly believes they elicited public input, there are many residents, including myself, that believe we have not had sufficient input into the structure and location of the bandshell. I personally was only contacted to perform a survey on my use of the Park

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District facilities.

After that, I saw little information on the referendum until I voted (I am not on Facebook, so that is not a good way to elicit feedback from me or many other residents). At the board meeting on June 22, the board members indicated that the residents agreed to a location of the bandshell when they voted for the $95 million referendum. I don’t recall the location being on the ballot and, even if it was, I voted “no” along with 45 percent of the other Elmhurst residents.

formed is optimal.

2. An assessment of optimal positioning of the bandshell (i.e., north/south/east/ west) so the sun is not in the musicians’ eyes.

3. An assessment of noise impact to the surrounding community.

4. The optimal placement for restrooms, which I believe are to be attached to the bandshell (bathrooms are usually positioned as far on the outside of a park as possible—not in the middle of open space).

5. Amount of open space. This is particularly important to me. If we have structures sprinkled throughout a park, it will cease to be a beautiful, walkable park.

Our strategic location in the heart of the Midwest amidst a robust network of top-tier universities, and a rich legacy of collaboration among private, public, and academic sectors are just a few reasons innovation continues to thrive here.

local, regional, and national levels.

Since 2014, the STEM Education Research Center at Southern Illinois University Carbondale has played a vital role in this innovation ecosystem—building, sustaining, and advancing science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education across

At the heart of our mission is preparing the next generation of STEM educators and professionals and promoting STEM literacy through research, education, and service.

We believe Illinois is a powerful engine for American leadership in innovation. But that leadership can no longer be

taken for granted.

A recent report from the Lexington Institute warns that America’s technological edge is facing serious threats from global competitors— chief among them, China. The Chinese government has made its ambitions clear: to lead the digital economy. To that end, China has already invested more

Now that we are spending the money, as a taxpayer, I should have input into size, style, location, etc. I would very much like to know what the process is for eliciting feedback from residents and how I might be involved in that.

Further, based on the open board meeting held on June 23, 2025, I would also urge the Board to listen to the residents who spoke and to perform additional due diligence on the structure and location of the bandshell. The residents at the board meeting brought up excellent ideas, including: 1. An acoustical study to ensure that the music per-

I have been a resident of Elmhurst for a total of 40 years. My father has lived in Elmhurst for most of his 96 years. While we both voted “no” for the referendum as we believed it was a high price tag and perhaps a smaller scale project would have been more affordable, we love Elmhurst and would like the work performed as a part of the Park District referendum to add to the beauty of Elmhurst and be inclusive for everyone.

Pamela L. Salaway

Obituaries

Charlotte Lee Mushow

Charlotte Lee Mushow, age 80, passed away June 25, 2025.

Beloved wife of 54 years to the late Frank Mushow. Loving sister of Susan (James) Wagy of St Louis, MO and the late Leo Edward Dolack, Jr. Cherished aunt of Lauren (Michael) Allen of St. Louis, MO, and Nicole Wagy of Denver, CO and great aunt of Clara Allen.

Charlotte taught many years to elementary and special education students in the Cicero, IL school district. After closing her teaching career, she devoted her time and talents to multiple endeavors where her passion for philanthropic missions could serve the needs of the Elmhurst community and beyond.

She began this new focus by accepting a major leadership role with Greater DuPage MYM now known as Teen Parent Connection in Glen Ellyn. She then turned her attention to include political endeavors and eventually served as past president of the National Federation of Republican Women. To recognize the contributions of the Federation she was hosted by First Lady Laura Bush in a White House Tea in 2001. She ran for DuPage County Clerk and though she lost she later served as an Election Commissioner for DuPage County. She lent time to campaigning for political causes and individuals in local and national elections.

• Digital

She was well-respected for her honesty, problem solving and work ethic.

In 1992 she was honored as “Outstanding Woman Leader” by the YWCA DuPage in its Leadership of Women luncheon. She was also twice honored as Outstanding Citizen by the City of Elmhurst. She was co-founder of 100+ Women Who Care-Elmhurst Area Giving Circle which she launched in 2013 as a simple but effective way to serve the community. As a member of the Elmhurst Garden Club, she hosted her home to a Garden Walk and served on various committees throughout the years, helping to bring garden beauty to Elmhurst. She served for many years as Chair for Elmhurst College and Community and in her honor a bench was dedicated to her on the University’s campus for her contributions.

She graduated from the FBI Citizens Academy, a multiple-week course to better understand the purpose of the FBI and how it serves and protects citizens and brought this knowledge to others. She was a member of the Ticker Tapettes Investment Club, learning how to read financial reports and invest in stocks. She was a docent for the Chicago Architecture Center and a member of the University Club of Chicago where for multiple years was Chair of the Garden Society. In this capacity she not only increased the Society’s membership but also organized multiple workshops and day-long outings to famous gardens and farms in the Midwest area and was a benefactor for

(Continued from page 8)

than $2.8 trillion in strategic technologies like artificial intelligence, while also engaging in aggressive efforts to steal American intellectual property and trade secrets.

Perhaps most alarming is China’s projected advantage in workforce development. Over the next decade, it is expected to outproduce the U.S. by 27.5 million STEM graduates. Meanwhile, unfilled STEM positions in the U.S. continue to rise, creating critical gaps in our high-tech workforce.

many friends to attend these endeavors.

She and her husband traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe. She was a gourmet cook and enjoyed entertaining at their Elmhurst home as well as at the University Club of Chicago, hosting her family, fundraisers, meetings, workshops, dinners and holiday events. She also worked alongside her husband on his many philanthropic and political activities.

She was a benevolent sister, aunt, colleague, neighbor and friend, offering her time and counsel. If anyone was ill or needed assistance, she rallied herself and others to help. She especially enjoyed assisting young adults with their career aspirations, often helping them network. Meanwhile, her faith played into her daily activities. She served as a Liturgist at Immaculate Conception Church in Elmhurst. After her husband’s death she enjoyed her new home and neighbors at Park Place of Elmhurst where she lived out her remaining days. While she has left us, her generosity and loyalty to family and community will not be forgotten.

A Memorial Visitation will be held Friday, July 18, 2025, from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Elmhurst Community Funeral Home – THE AHLGRIM CHAPEL, 567 S. Spring Rd., Elmhurst, IL 60126. Family and friends to gather for the Mass Of Christian Burial on Saturday, July 19, 2025, 9:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 134 Arthur St., Elmhurst, IL 60126. A private inurnment

will take place at St. Mary Cemetery, Elmhurst, IL.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Teen Parent Connection in Glen Ellyn, IL. at https:// teenparentconnection.org/ donate/

For more information, (630) 834-3515 or www. elmhurstfh.com.

David Boyle

In Loving Memory of David Boyle, September 30, 1953 - June 18, 2025

David Boyle, 71, passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 18, 2025, with his beloved wife, Barbara, by his side. Born in Paisley, Scotland, on September 30, 1953, David came to America at the age of seven and made a life rich with humor, love, and unforgettable personality.

Known for his quick wit, sharp tongue, and colorful vocabulary, David had a way of making his presence felt wherever he went.

His outspoken behavior— bold, unfiltered, and often hilarious—was part of what made him so memorable. He wasn’t afraid to speak his mind or shake things up, but beneath that brash exterior was a man who cared deeply about the people around him.

David was the longtime owner of Glasgow Concrete, a business he proudly operated for 22 years. He built the company through hard work, grit, and determination, and took great pride in the relationships he formed—with employees, clients, and friends alike. He approached his business and

life with honesty, integrity, and a sharp sense of humor.

He was a devoted husband to Barbara, his partner in life and laughter for 49 years. He was a proud father to Kelly, David (Noushin), and Pamela (Victor); and a treasured grandfather to Jason, Liam, and Alina. David’s greatest joy was his family—he loved fiercely and gave freely, always making sure those around him knew they mattered.

He was also a loyal friend to many—someone who made others feel seen, heard, and always entertained. If you were lucky, you got a nickname, a story, and maybe a bit of good-natured teasing to go with it.

A “Celebration of Life” will be held on July 3, 2025 at 4pm - 7pm. at Meson Sabika, 1025 Aurora Ave., Naperville. All are welcome to raise a glass and share a story in his honor.

David Boyle lived life loudly, loved fiercely, and will be deeply missed, fondly remembered, and forever celebrated.

Ronald Charles Dyckma, 83

Ronald Charles Dyckma, 83, former longtime resident of Elmhurst, IL, peacefully passed away on June 25, 2025, in Batavia, IL. Born on January 19, 1942, to Charles and Pearl Dyckma, Ron built a life rooted in love, loyalty, and simplicity. He was united in marriage to his beloved Dorothy on May 4, 1963, and lovingly cared for her until her passing in 2020.

Rifle Sharpshooter, National Defense Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. His dedication extended to his community as a proud member of the American Legion for over 50 years. Professionally, Ron was a steadfast and proud employee of Dominick’s Finer Foods for over 45 years.

A man who truly enjoyed the simple life, Ron found peace in gardening, the camaraderie of hunting and fishing, and the familiar comfort of a good old-school tavern. Annual camping trips with his family and grandchildren were highlights, creating cherished memories for everyone. Ronald was known for his unwavering honesty and his loyal friendship. He was rarely seen without a flannel shirt, and a handkerchief and comb were always staples in his pocket. His playful spirit shone through in his quest for the funniest birthday cards, and family could always expect an attempted (and usually successful) April Fools’ joke each year.

Ron is survived by his loving children, Tammy (James) Hemmingway, Wendy Wieteska, and Tracey (Brad) Bilut; his adored grandchildren, Alexis Hemmingway, Ashley Hemmingway, Steven Wieteska, Jenna Bilut, and Jason Bilut; and his dear sister, Patricia (Rick) Shea. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dorothy; his parents, Charles and Helmi Dyckma; his brother, Jim Dyckma; and his uncle, Hugo Suominen.

This moment demands serious reflection. Are we prepared to cede leadership in digital innovation to an authoritarian regime—one that promotes AI tools rooted in censorship and revisionist history? The answer must be no. We envision a digital future built on democratic values, grounded in facts, and supported by an open and accessible internet—where freedom of expression is a cornerstone, not a casualty. Securing America’s tech leadership starts here in Illinois.

expand America’s innovation ecosystem.

Our state has already made significant strides. We’re leading in emerging technologies like quantum computing, electric vehicle manufacturing, and agricultural innovation. Illinois has been recognized as a national tech hub, attracting millions in federal grants and spurring continued investment from the private sector.

But we can’t let up. What’s needed now is bold and sustained commitment from policymakers at every level—local, state, and federal—to strengthen and

We must accelerate investments in critical technologies such as artificial intelligence, advanced computing, and quantum science. At the same time, we must resist the urge to overregulate. While it’s important to address risks, excessive regulation can stifle the very innovation we’re trying to foster— particularly for startups and entrepreneurs, many of whom call Illinois home. A thoughtful, measured approach to policy will ensure innovation continues to thrive here. Equally vital is a renewed national focus on STEM education. Technology is reshaping every sector of our economy, and we must prepare students—beginning

in early childhood and continuing through higher education—to be fluent in the language of the digital age. Every student deserves access to high-quality STEM learning opportunities so they can help build and lead our future.

In recent years, STEM has evolved into STEAM— adding Art to acknowledge the creativity and design thinking essential to innovation. I like to think the “A” also stands for All of Us. Because this future belongs to all of us. Building it will take all of us. And protecting it demands strong leadership and smart policy that empowers all of us.

Harvey Henson is director of STEM Education Research Center at Southern Illinois University.

Ron proudly served his country as an Army Specialist 4th Class from 1967-1968, earning the

A visitation was held at Moss Family Funeral Home, 209 S. Batavia Ave, Batavia, Illinois, on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 12:00 p.m. (noon). An interment followed at West Batavia Cemetery.

Excellent Therapy for Children with Autism Depends on Excellent Therapists

At ABA Revolution we have 5 applicants for every one of our therapy positions so we only hire the best.

the ABA Revolution

therapy for children ages 2-8

GreenMan Theatre storytellers to

Stories’

Those who love a good story can soak up some summertime fun and relive their seasonal memories when GreenMan Theatre Storytellers regales attendees with its “Summer Stories” event to be held Tuesday, July 8, at 7 p.m. in the Elmhurst Public Library’s Large Meeting Room. The storytelling is intended for adults and older children. Performers for “Summer Stories” will include Carolyn Thomas-Davidoff (pictured). “Our ‘Summer Stories’ are adventurous, humorous, feel-good stories about a wide variety of summertime activities,” said Thomas-Davidoff, who will share her mother-daughter summertime experience snorkeling on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. “Summer Stories” is a free program suitable for adults and older children ages 10 and over. The library is located at 125 S. Prospect Ave. Registration is required for the online show, and encouraged for the in-person show. Attendees can register for an in-person or online space at elmhurstpubliclibrary.libcal.com/event/14224344. Walk-ins for the in-person event are also welcome.

Worship Services Directory

Berean Bible Students Church

535 East Maple Street Lombard, IL 60148 (630) 889-1090 www.bbschurch.org

Worship God and learn more about Him with us.

535 East Maple Street Lombard, IL 60148

Sunday Worship starts at 10:00 am and is followed by a Message. Sunday Bible Study starts at 11:30 am

(630) 889-1090 www.bbschurch.org

For more information you can reach us at 630-889-1090 or visit our website at www.bbschurch.org.

630-832-8457

St.

Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church 547 N. Main St., Lombard, IL 60148 630-627-2435

Lent and Easter Services at 7 p.m.

Sunday Worship at 10:15 am

“The Crucial Hours”

Sunday School & Bible Study 9 am Wednesday Service at 7pm

Second Lenten Service March 9, 2022

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

Third Lenten Service March 16, 2022

Adult Bible Study Wednesdays after Service Saturday, July 26, Game Night at 4 pm Everyone is Welcome!

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

All services are live streamed. Watch on our website or on Facebook. sainttimothy.org

Fourth Lenten Service March 23, 2022

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

Fifth Lenten Service March 30, 2022

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

Sixth Lenten Service April 6, 2022

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

Maundy Thursday Communion 7 p.m., April 14

Good Friday Tenebrae 7 p.m., April 15

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

Easter Breakfast 8 a.m., April 17

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

Welcome to ST. PIUS X CATHOLIC COMMUNITY Diocese of Joliet

SUNDAY MASS SCHEDULE

SATURDAY: 5:00 PM (VIGIL MASS) 7:00 PM (ESPAÑOL)

SUNDAY: 8:00 AM & 10:00 AM

WEEKDAY MASS SCHEDULE

MONDAY - FRIDAY & FIRST SATURDAY: 8:30 AM

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT - PRAYER CHAPEL MONDAY - THURSDAY 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION ( ENGLISH & ESPAÑOL)

SATURDAY: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM OR BY APPOINTMENT Parish Office: 1025 E. Madison Street • (630) 627-4526 • www.stpiuslombard.org

Weekend Masses: Saturday: 4 PM (Vigil) Sunday: 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30 AM and 6 PM

Daily Masses: Monday Friday: 6:15 and 8:15 AM Saturday: 8:15 AM

Daily Masses: Monday—Friday: 6:15 and 8:15 AM Saturday: 8:15 AM

Confessions: Saturday: 3-3:45PM

An evening of music at the Elmhurst Art Museum

On Saturday, June 21, the Elmhurst Art Museum welcomed over 100 guests for Soundbites: An Evening of Music, an after-hours celebration of sound, art, and community. The event brought together music lovers, art enthusiasts, and local creatives under the museum’s roof. Soundbites featured live performances from Morvern Hum (pictured top right) in the Hookham Gallery, Nad Navillus under the carport of the iconic Mies van der Rohe–designed McCormick House, and Yoko Noge and band (pictured above) in the Hostetler Gallery. Guests enjoyed refreshments from Marz Community Brewing Company, and exclusive evening access to current exhibitions. The event aimed to create a multisensory experience that bridged visual and auditory art. “This event was designed to amplify the intersection between music and contemporary art,” said Allison Peters Quinn, the museum’s executive director and chief curator. “We’re thrilled with the turnout and the energy our guests brought to this unique evening.” Soundbites is part of the museum’s ongoing initiative to present accessible, engaging public programming that invites new and returning audiences to experience art in innovative ways. The museum plans to continue offering live music and multidisciplinary events throughout the year. For updates on future events and exhibitions, visit elmhurstartmuseum.org.

Elmhurst Public Library programs

Saturday, July 5 10 a.m.-noon

Canasta: Open Play

Join us for a friendly game of Canasta. Prior experience is required.

No registration required.

Monday, July 7

10 a.m.-noon - Scrabble

Play a friendly game of Scrabble. All skill levels welcome.

Live in-person. No registration required.

Monday, July 7 10-11:30 a.m. - Death Café

A death café is a group-directed discussion of death in a

safe, confidential setting where you can share experiences and ideas on fears about end-of-life issues. Its objective is to increase awareness of death and help people make the most of their finite lives. Please note this is not a grief support group or counseling session. Beverages and snacks provided. Live in-person. Registration required.

Tuesday, July 8 Noon-2 p.m.

In Stitches Needleworkers Knitters, crocheters, and needleworkers of all skill levels: bring a project, share knowledge with others, and have fun!

Live in-person. Registration required.

Tuesday, July 8 1-3 p.m.

Bridge and Pinochle

Enjoy an afternoon of card games every week. Prior experience is required. No registration required.

Tuesday, July 8

7-8:30 p.m.

Summer Stories with GreenMan Theatre

Celebrate all your favorite summer activities with stories from GreenMan Theatre. Live in-person and on Zoom. Registration required.

IC CATHOLIC PREP INVESTS IN EXCELLENCE

State-of-the-art Science Labs

This summer, IC Catholic Prep began construction on three new state-ofthe-art science labs, along with a new work/ prep room to support our growing STEM programs. These exciting academic upgrades reflect our unwavering commitment to excellence in education and innovation. The new labs will provide students with hands-on, collaborative learning opportunities in a modern, professional environment. At ICCP, we continue to invest in the future of our students, both in and out of the classroom. Visit Instagram.com/iccatholicprep to take a virtual tour of our new classrooms!

New Turf at Plunkett Athletic Complex

IC Catholic Prep is excited to announce major upgrades to the Plunkett Athletic Complex, including brand new turf for the football, baseball, and a newly added softball field. These enhancements reflect our strong commitment to providing topquality facilities for our student-athletes. The addition of a dedicated turf softball field and the resurfacing of the existing baseball and football fields will create a safer, more reliable, and versatile environment for training and competition. We can’t wait to see our Knights take the field and make the most of these exciting improvements!

Sport S

York’s Burda, Kanouse and Demopoulos earn all-state honors

Timothy Christian softball team enjoys banner season

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

A trio of York softball players were honored for their excellence on the field this spring. Avery Kanouse, Lilly Burda and Maggie Demopoulos were named to the Illinois Softball Coaches Association all-state teams.

Kanouse, a recent graduate headed to Tufts University, earned ICA Class 4A allstate second-team honors, while Burda, a junior this spring, and Demopoulos, a sophomore this spring, were named to the ICA Class 4A all-state third team. Kanouse finished her senior season with a 2.84 ERA and struck out 127 batters in 96 innings, while walking only 30. Opponents hit .223 off her and had a .281 on-base percentage.

Burda hit .426 with 43 hits in 101 at-bats. She scored 28 runs, had 26 RBI and posted 11 doubles, two triples and 4 home runs to go with 12 steals. She also was notable in the field at shortstop where she made only 2 errors in 104 total chances (69 putouts, 33 assists) and was involved in the turning of seven double plays for the

Dinino, Russ,

By Mike Miazga

CORRESPONDENT

Dukes.

Demopoulos stole a teambest 19 bases and hit .299 with 32 hits in 107 at-bats. She had three doubles, seven triples, one homer, 16 RBI and scored 24 runs.

Other notables this spring for the Dukes included Gia Valentin hitting .312 with 20 hits in 64 at-bats. She had 11 RBI, six doubles, one triple, four homers and scored 12 runs. Sarah Steinecker hit .310 with 22 hits in 71 at-bats. She scored 21 runs, drove in 13 and had six doubles, one triple and five home runs. Steinecker also stole 16 bases.

Myka Matykiewicz hit .293 with 22 hits in 75 at-bats. She finished with five doubles, three triples, one home run, 10 RBI and scored 16 runs, while walking 16 times. She also stole 10 bases. York finished the season 21-13 overall and took fourth in the West Suburban Conference Silver Division with a 6-7 mark.

The Dukes opened postseason play with a 5-2 win over Oak Lawn where they scored four runs in the fourth innings. Alex ElEtr-Garofa -

lo went 2-for-3 with a run scored, two doubles and two RBI. Steinecker homered, while Kanouse was 1-for-2 with a run scored, an RBI and a walk. Kanouse was the winning pitcher. She allowed four hits, no earned runs, while striking out 10 and walking one.

York won a Class 4A regional title with a 3-0 win over Burbank Reavis. The Dukes scored two runs in the fourth inning and had eight hits. ElEtr-Garofalo went 3-for-3 with a run scored, an RBI and a double. Burda had a hit and an RBI, while Matykiewicz had a double and an RBI. Taylor McMillen started and went four innings, allowing one hit, while fanning two. She was the winning pitcher. Kanouse pitched the final three innings and struck out seven.

York then lost to conference foe Downers Grove North in the sectional semifinals to conclude its season. The Dukes were limited to four hits.

Burda went 2-for-3 with a run scored, while ElEtr-Garofalo homered and had two RBI.

Cahill and Bucaro named

Timothy Christian softball

The Timothy Christian softball team won a Class 2A regional title this season and advanced to a Class 2A sectional championship game. In the playoffs, Timothy was awarded a 7-0 forfeit win against Chicago Noble in the regional semifinals. Timothy then edged Wilmette Regina Dominican 5-4 to win a Class 2A regional title. The Trojans scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh to win it.

Grace Hoffman went 2-for-4, while Sophia Mook was 2-for-4 with a double, a homer, two RBI and a run scored. Lauren Kottke went 2-for-3 with two runs, scored, a double, a homer and two RBI. Chloe Wetterquist doubled. Miley Woerner was the winning pitcher. She allowed six hits over seven innings and struck out two while walking none and allowing one earned run.

Timothy opened sectional play with a 17-0 win over Chicago Horizon-McKinley in four innings. The Trojans had 11 hits. Hoffman went 3-for-3 with three runs scored, a double, a triple and

all-state

two RBI. Wetterquist went 2-for-4 with a run scored and three RBI. Mook was 2-for-3 with a home run, an RBI and two runs scored.

Chloe Granger had a triple and three RBI, while Lucy Melzer went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI and three runs scored. Woerner was the winning pitcher. She allowed one hit and struck out nine in four innings.

The Trojans then lost 10-0 to IC Catholic Prep in six innings in the sectional championship game. Mook had a triple, one of four Timothy hits in the game. Timothy finished the season 17-8 overall and went 9-4 in Chicagoland Christian Conference play.

Mook led the team in hitting with a .559 batting average. She had 38 hits in 68 at-bats and scored 34 runs. Mook had 15 doubles, three triples, nine homers and 44 RBI. Hoffman hit .426 with 29 hits in 68 at-bats. She had five doubles, two triples, 11 RBI and scored 30 runs, while stealing a team-best eight bases.

Kottke hit .517 with 30 hits in 58 at-bats. She had eight doubles, four tri -

ples, two home runs and 23 RBI, while scoring 25 runs. Kottke stole seven bases.

Wetterquist hit .466 with 27 hits in 58 at-bats. She finished with four doubles, 17 RBI and scored 32 runs. Granger hit .344 with 21 hits in 61 at-bats. Granger scored 20 runs and had eight doubles and four triples to go with 21 RBI.

Woerner hit .302 with 16 hits in 53 at-bats. She had 10 RBI and scored 16 runs. In the circle, Woerner struck out 121 in 107 2/3 innings, while walking 46 and posting a 4.68 ERA.

Kottke led the team with a .622 on-base percentage and had a .897 slugging percentage, while Mook had a .610 on-base percentage and led the team with a 1.265 slugging percentage. Granger had a .607 slugging percentage, while Wetterquist had an on-base percentage of .557 and Hoffman posted a .524 on-base percentage. Kottke had a .979 fielding percentage with three errors in 144 total chances, while Hoffman had a .967 fielding percentage with three errors in 92 total chances.

for IC Catholic Prep softball Knights reach Class 2A supersectional round this season

The success of the IC Catholic Prep softball team has yielded some significant individual accolades. Four Knights players were recently named to Illinois Coaches Association all-state teams. Maddy Dinino and Lexi Russ both were named to the ICA Class 2A all-state second team, while Kelly Cahill and Sofia Bucaro were named to the ICA Class 2A allstate third team. That quartet helped ICCP go 22-14 overall, finish third in the Girls Catholic Athletic Association White Division with a 7-5 mark and make it all the way to a Class 2A supersectional.

Russ, a sophomore, hit .443 with 51 hits in 115 atbats to go with 14 doubles,

four triples, two homers and an impressive 60 RBI. She also scored 39 runs and walked 17 times. Cahill, also a 10th grader this past season, hit .455 with 50 hits in 110 at-bats. She had 18 doubles, 5 triples, 1 home run and 45 RBI, while scoring 14 runs. Bucaro, a junior, hit .486 with 51 hits in 105 at-bats. She scored 49 runs, had 11 RBI and registered 3 doubles and 2 triples. She also walked 25 times. Dinino, a junior, hit .402 with 45 hits in 112 atbats, scored 14 runs, had 12 doubles, one triple, one homer and 28 RBI. Dinino also had a 16-10 mark in the circle with a 3.46 ERA. She fanned 140 in 163 2/3 innings, while walking only 31 batters in 29 pitching appearances. Other key contributors for

the Knights included sophomore Ari Zito, who hit .426 with 49 hits in 115 at-bats. She scored 50 runs and had three doubles, two triples, two homers and 15 RBI. She also walked 18 times. Junior Lexi Hoffman hit .356 with 26 hits in 73 at-bats. She scored 20 runs, and logged three doubles, two triples and 12 RBI to go with 16 walks. ICCP hit .374 as a team with 360 hits—102 for extra bases. The Knights also had a .458 team on-base percentage. Bucaro had a .591 on-base percentage, while Cahill was at .516, Russ .515 and Zito .514. Cahill finished with a .736 slugging percentage, while Russ had a .687 slugging percentage. In the supersectional round, the Knights lost 7-6 to North

Boone out of Poplar Grove near Rockford. The Knights scored six runs over the last two innings after trailing 7-0 at one point. The Knights had 11 hits. Cahill went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two doubles. Bucaro had two hits, as did Dinino, who also scored a run. Hoffman had a triple and an RBI. Isabella Jelic had a hit and an RBI. Dinino struck out four in seven innings.

The Knights won a Class 2A sectional title with a 10-0 victory over Timothy Christian in six innings. ICCP scored six runs in the sixth inning. Russ went 3-for-4 with a run scored, two doubles and three RBI. Bucaro went 3-for4 with three runs scored, a double, a triple and an RBI. Dinino went 3-for-3 with a run scored, a home run and

two RBI. Ema McMillen, a freshman, had two hits, a run scored and an RBI. Hoffman went 2-for-3 with a run scored and a double. Jelic had a hit, a run scored and two RBI. Dinino struck out 10 and walked none in six innings and allowed only three hits.

In the sectional semifinals, ICCP downed Lisle 7-0. The Knights scored four runs in the sixth inning and had 10 hits. Jelic went 2-for-3 with a run scored. Bucaro had a hit and two runs scored. Cahill went 3-for-3 with three RBI and two doubles. Dinino had a hit, a run scored and a double. McMillen had a hit, a run scored, an RBI and a double. Dinino struck out nine and allowed five hits in seven innings. In an 18-0 win in four in-

nings over Westmont to win a Class 2A regional title, the Knights had 14 hits. McMillen went 2-for-2 with three runs scored, a triple and an RBI. Dinino had a hit, two RBI and a double. Jelic had two hits, two runs scored, four RBI, a double and a home run. Russ went 2-for-2 with three runs scored, a double and an RBI. Cahill went 2-for-2 with two runs scored, a triple and an RBI. Zito had a home run and two RBI. Dinino pitched four innings and allowed two hits and fanned seven while walking none. In four postseason games, Dinino pitched 23 innings, allowed 20 hits and six earned runs, while striking out 30 and walking just four batters. She had a postseason ERA of 1.83 and went 3-1.

Community calendar

Recurring on Sundays

Elmhurst Model Railroad Club Sunday open house

From 1-4 p.m. every Sunday at the Elmhurst Model Railroad Club, 111 E. First St., and visit the club’s three operating model railroad layouts. For more information, call 630-5309584 or email: emrrc@ comcast.net.

Recurring weekly on Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday through Aug. 17

Legacies: Selections from the Elmhurst Art Museum Permanent Collection.

Much of EAM’s permanent collection results from the relationship between the museum and the people who previously owned the work, including artists, collectors, and their family members. The galleries will feature micro installations of paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures from several personal collections donated to the museum to consider the nature of collecting. The exhibition will be accompanied by a lively program of music, film, talks, and tours to question collecting practices, access to collections, and inspire agency for people to build collections. For prices and more information, visit

https://elmhurstartmuseum. org/exhibitions.

Recurring weekly now through Aug. 6

Wednesday Nights Live. Presented free by the Elmhurst City Centre, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., join your friends and family for an unforgettable evening of live music every week. Listen to live under the colorful Umbrella Sky installation. Don’t miss out on the vibrant atmosphere and the joy of music. For more information, visit https:// elmhurstcitycentre.com/.

At its regular board meeting on Monday, June 9, the Elmhurst Park Board approved the Crestview Park Master Plan, marking a significant milestone in the park’s redevelopment.

The Master Plan was created as part of the park district’s 2025 Strategic Work Plan and builds on the momentum from the November 2024 voter-approved bond referendum, which included the addition of a new, year-round heated restroom at Crestview Park.

In advance of the park’s scheduled 2026 playground replacement and the construction of the new restroom facility, District staff proposed a comprehensive planning process for the park, to ensure a holistic vision for the park.

The timing of the Master Plan is also influenced by the

Will play volleyball for Division II school

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

Recent IC Catholic Prep graduate Bella Leslie wanted to head east for college.

Now through Aug. 15 Summer Scavenger Hunt. Presented free by Elmhurst City Centre, 109 W. First St., and recurring daily, over 100 plush dogs are hiding just beyond the rainbow in your favorite City Centre merchant stores. Find 20+ of them and enter to win one of 120 prizes. Player cards are available in the City Centre Office, participating merchants, and online at elmhurstcitycentre.com.

of the world’s most famous and beautiful art installations back to Elmhurst City Centre: Umbrella Sky Elmhurst 2025. Snap a photo under the Umbrellas at Schiller Court (sponsored by Community Bank of Elmhurst), Color Rain at 110 S. Cottage Hill, and Color Dots at 254 N. York. A new set of art pieces, featuring a fresh color palette, will replace the initial installations in early July and will be on display until the Rock the Block Party in September. For more information and details, visit elmhurstcitycentre.com.

For more information, visit elmhurstcitycentre.com.

Friday, July 4

IC Catholic Prep graduate Leslie headed to Le Moyne

I feel like I would be so bored without it because it has been such a big part of my life.”

Leslie said she has plenty of memories from IC Catholic Prep’s coach Nancy Kerrigan’s program.

Her landing spot ended up being at NCAA Division II Le Moyne College where the former Knights volleyball and soccer standout will continue her volleyball career at the Syracuse, New York school as a libero.

Now through Sept. 7

Umbrella Sky Elmhurst. Recurring daily and presented free by the Elmhurst City Centre, The City of Elmhurst’s Public Arts Commission and Elmhurst City Centre bring back one

“All of the schools I was looking at were on the East Coast,” Leslie told the Independent last week. “I visited Le Moyne and really liked it. It reminded me of high school because it was a small school, and in a smaller school you will know a lot more faces than if I would have gone to a bigger school. The campus there is really pretty. It sits on a big hill and the scenery around it is great. Everything is pretty close together. They have very nice facilities. The volleyball program has good workout facilities and a nice locker room. I liked how modern it was.”

Leslie plans on studying nursing at Le Moyne. “They have a good nursing program,” she said. “As far as what kind of a nurse I want to be, I’m not quite sure yet.”

Hokusai Outdoor Art Gallery. Recurring daily and presented free by the Elmhurst City Centre, in conjunction with the 2025 exhibition “Hokusai and Ukiyo-e: The Floating World,” the College of DuPage, McAninch Arts Center, and Cleve Carney Museum of Art are collaborating with the City of Elmhurst’s Public Arts Commission and Elmhurst City Centre. Take a stroll down York Street and admire the iconic images of Elmhurst landmarks, all stylized in the traditional Japanese ukiyo-e art style. Each work of art, created by local artist Rich Lo, will be displayed in eight large windows located at 107 N. York throughout the summer.

Leslie played volleyball and girls soccer at IC Catholic Prep all four years. She was a center-midfielder on the Knights soccer team.

Leslie’s volleyball journey started in the fifth grade, the first year she could play the sport at IC Grade School. She’s been playing club volleyball since seventh grade, most recently with the Chicago Elite group that practices out of Scores in Willow Springs and Montini High School in Lombard.

“I’m really excited to be able to play volleyball in college,” she said. “It gives me something to do.

• Stopka

“I loved playing there,” she said. “I probably enjoyed school volleyball more than club because I love my team and the coaching staff was very supportive on and off the court. It made it a really good environment to be in. Coach (Kerrigan) was great. I have known her for a while. When I was little, I did all the little kids camps, and her daughter was in my brother’s grade at IC.”

Leslie said she will miss plenty about IC Catholic Prep. “I will miss how close knit of a community it was,” she said. “I knew everybody at the school. It will be weird going on campus and not knowing all the faces. I’ll miss those close connections with the coaches and teachers. It will be weird for the first year or so.”

Leslie said pandemic life hasn’t been overly exciting, though her club volleyball team has started practicing again. “We have been practicing two or three times a week,” she said. “We are going to be starting tournaments again. Before that I haven’t been doing anything because senior soccer season and the club volleyball season were cancelled. We were supposed to go to a few club volleyball qualifiers in Grand Rapids and Louisville. This summer, we have some tournaments planned over the next few weekends. They are little tournaments with all of the local clubs. Nothing large and really local. Other than that, I have been trying to work out a lot and stay in shape. I’ve been running a lot, so I got into that. I try and run every day.”

Leslie said she is scheduled to report to Le Moyne in the Aug. 1215 timeframe, but noted preseason volleyball activities already have

(Continued from page 18)

They lost to West Chicago on I think an own goal in the last five minutes. That was against the state champs in the sectional finals. That’s a hell of a season if you ask me.”

construction of the new Wagner Community Center, which is expected to last through fall 2027.

presented to the park board.

Stopka will teach Spanish at York. He taught Spanish and one math class at St. Pat’s. “My philosophy is I am more of a players’ coach,” he said.

During that time, the existing recreation building at Crestview Park will temporarily host Park District programs before its eventual demolition.

“I have been a big Liverpool soccer supporter ever since 2015 when Jurgen Klopp came over and he’s known as a players’ coach. He’s kind of my coaching idol. I want to related to the players and form bonds with them. I am more light-hearted and smiling. I like to have fun and joke with the kids. The goal is understanding where each player can be successful and the provide the best way possible to convey the knowledge they need at the position they play. I am not big at yelling at the group, and I’m not a

To ensure the new plan reflects community priorities, the park district hosted an initial open house at Crestview Park on March 20, 2025 where the community provided input on existing amenities and potential new features. During a second open house on May 1, two park-wide concepts and two playground design concepts were shared.

An online survey also allowed broader community participation in the process before a final Master Plan concept was

4 on the 4th The Elmhurst Running Club’s 20th anniversary ‘4 on the 4th’ is a volunteer-run event. 80 percent of proceeds afterrace expenses are donated to local charities, which last year included the Elmhurst Walk-In Assistance Network, the Elmhurst Yorkfield Food Pantry and the Elmhurst Police Benevolent Athletic Association. The 4-mile run, which begins at 7:15 a.m., will be followed by a kids 1K race for ages 5-12 that will start at 8:20 a.m. The races start and finish is at Elmhurst University on Prospect Avenue. For more information and to register, visit: https://www.4on4th. run.

“ I’m really

excited to be able to play volleyball in college. It gives me something to do. I feel like I would be so bored without it because it has been such a big part

of my life.”

Thursday, July 10

– Bella Leslie

merchandise will be available for purchase. Add to the fun by stopping by the Gazebo on Spring Road for outdoor live music by Lake Effect from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m..

Friday, July 11

Movie in the Park— Moana 2. Presented free by the Elmhurst Public Library. Grab a picnic blanket and head to Wilder Park for a showing of Moana 2 under the stars. The movie begins at dusk, but the event will start at 7 p.m. Sponsors and food trucks will be there, plus make time for yard games and a visit to the playground. For more information, visit: https://www.epd.org/.

Saturday, July 12

huge rah-rah person. I’m a little bit more of an individual players’ coach. I will pull kids to the side at practice and games and teach them.”

The final Master Plan can be viewed at epd.org. It includes a variety of enhancements aimed at promoting recreation, accessibility, and engagement with the outdoors.

• A new ADA-accessible playground

• A year-round heated restroom

• More walking paths forming a loop through the entire park

• A shaded sport court entry area with seating

Stopka noted York has been doing conditioning drills and said the plan as of earlier last week was to start summer camp pending District 205 approval. “I have probably been able to meet 60 to 70 percent of the players so far,” he said. “If it does get approved that would be the start of our contact days with four days a week for three weeks straight. And even though the IHSA waived the blackout dates before the school year, we won’t take advantage of that. I’m pretty sure families have plans to do things before school starts. I’m the new guy and I’m not going to say you can’t go with your family. Go do it and enjoy it. This is a crazy and goofy time. You have to be accessi-

• Improvements to the sled hill, including stairs and an accessible switchback

• A nature exploration zone

• A fitness trail

• A future pump track for bikes, scooters, rollerblades, and skateboards

• A woodland garden with

at $20 per person until midnight July 12, then at $25 person. The Boutique Faire in Wilder Park (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) is free and open to the public. It features crafters, gardening accessories, horticulture exhibits and experts. Clovers Garden Center, a special addition to this year’s Faire, will have an array of perennials, annuals, and seasonal items available for sale. Proceeds from the EGC Walk fund scholarships awarded to college/university students majoring in horticulture, environmental studies and other related sciences. Scholarships are also available to York High School students for summer exploratory horticulture/environmental programs. Further information is available at elmhurstgardenclub.org.

been cancelled due to the pandemic. “I will probably leave Aug. 10-11 because it’s a far drive,” she said. “We had Zoom call with the team recently and they said they should have an answer about our season in the next 7-10 days. They talked about three scenarios and what could happen like if we start the season and someone gets sick and we have to stop and go. That’s one of the reasons why they are looking at moving the season to the spring. Right now the plan is to have a season, but we won’t know until the next 7-10 days.”

York High School Alumni Mixer. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The York Community High School Alumni Association (YCHSAA) will be hosting an alumni mixer at Bottle Theory Taproom, Bottle Shop & Kitchen, 542 Spring Road, Elmhurst. There will be free admission and appetizers while they last. Pay as you go for a selection of sodas, craft beers, wines, and seltzers. Reconnect with York alumni and their friends. York alumni

But if all systems are a go, Leslie can’t wait to take her skills as a libero to the next level with the Dolphins. “I feel like being a libero you have to be really quick and that is typically what I am good at. I have really good reaction time,” she said. “I like diving on the floor and saving balls. It’s a really good feeling when you make a save. The position fits my personality, too. You have to be the loudest one on the court. I have a loud personality. You have to be pretty loud if you want to be a libero. I think I match that description.”

Honoring Hokusai (reception. From 6-9 p.m. at the Elmhurst Artists Guild, 150 Cottage Hill Ave., join us for a fun evening with artwork from local artists created to honor Hokusai and the Japanese culture. It’s free to attend, but please reserve your spot. For more information, visit: https:// www.elmhurstartistsguild. org/.

Sunday, July 13

“An Afternoon in the Garden.” From 10 a.m.4 p.m., the 29th Elmhurst Garden Club’s “An Afternoon in the Garden” Garden Walk features six glorious gardens and a Boutique Faire in Wilder Park. Tickets are now being sold online only, www. elmhurstgardenclub.org

Family Farm Fest.

Presented free by the Elmhurst History Museum from 1-4 p.m., join the museum for a family friendly visit back in time to the early days of Elmhurst. Enjoy live music from bluegrass band Bourbon Aristocracy, meet chickens, goats, and llamas at the petting zoo, learn about harvesting honey from a beekeeper, try your hand at old fashioned farm chores, and more. For more information, visit: https:// www.elmhursthistory.org/. Elmhurst Art Museum Info: 630-834-0202 or visit elmhurstartmuseum.org.

elevated boardwalk

ble and transparent and communicate with everybody.”

The implementation of the Master Plan will occur in phases.

Phase 1, anticipated to begin in 2026, will include the new playground, permanent restroom, a shelter, and the shaded sport court entry area. Subsequent phases, starting in future years, will see the demolition of the old parking lot and recreation building and the development of new features as presented in the Master Plan.

The Elmhurst Park District looks forward to beginning the transformation of Crestview Park into a multi-use destination which serves visitors of all ages and abilities for years to come. To learn more about the project and view updates, visit epd.org/ projects.

As far as the future, Stopka wants York competing at a high level on a consistent basis. “The short-term goal is to restock and build up the team,” he said. “A large portion of last year’s team was seniors, especially the starting 11. We have to make sure the now juniors are up to the speed of the varsity level and are ready to contribute. We want to keep that pipeline going with the younger groups of players. We want to make sure we are not only competitive, but that we are competing for regionals, sectionals and supersectionals. It starts for me with this junior class that is coming in. We want them ready to go and setting the standard for these other classes that come in so they can also contribute right off the bat.”

Kanouse, a recent York graduate off to Tufts University, earned Illinois Coaches Association Class 4A all-state second-team honors after striking out 127 batters in 96 innings, while walking only 30. Burda and Demopoulos were both named to the ICA Class 4A allstate third team. Burda hit .426 with four homers and 26 RBI, while also making only two errors in the field in 104 total chances. Demopoulos hit .299 with seven triples and stole a team-high 19 bases.

House Women Finish Season with Two Wins in Elmhurst; Men Remain in 1st Place

DeKalb, IL & Elmhurst, IL: On Friday, June 27th, the House Women kicked off the weekend with a commanding 3-0 shutout over Chicago KICS FC. Alexis Suptela set the tone early with two goals in the first 15 minutes, while Emily Rossi sealed the win with a stoppage-time strike in the 92nd minute.

The momentum carried into Sunday, June 29th, as the Women’s team defended their home field with another dominant performance, blanking Milwaukee City AFC 5-0. Goals came from Suptela, Louisa Schreiber, and Rossi, further showcasing the squad’s offensive firepower.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, June 28th, the Chicago House Men’s team traveled to face DeKalb County United. Despite a strong effort, House came up short in a 42 loss. Nico Williams netted one for the Men, with the second goal coming from an own goal by the opponent.

Chicago House fans can continue following both teams and streaming

upcoming Chicago House matches at www.chicagohouseac.com/gamesstreams.

Chicago House AC Women’s team post-match highlights: Battling through intense heat, the Chicago House Women delivered a dominant performance in their match against Milwaukee City AFC.

Head Coach JJ Ruane shared his thoughts on the season finale: “It’s always good to end the season with a win. Though there were some sloppy moments and we probably should’ve scored a few more, the team got the job done”.

He praised key contributors: “Alexis Suptela and Danielle Fjeldsted had impressive games. The bench came in strong after the first 50 minutes and made a real impact. I’m looking forward to building on this heading into next year.”

Forward and goal scorer Louisa Schreiber reflected on the team’s progress, saying, “You can tell that we are really starting to become a team. It’s unfortunate that we’re parting ways now, but if we’re

all back next year, we’ll be starting from a great place.”

Chicago House AC men’s team postmatch highlights: After a tough first half that saw House trailing 3-1, the men continued to battle but ultimately fell short, ending the match with a 4 -2 heartbreaking loss.

Head Coach Shannon Seymour reflected, “I think just knowing we have a target on our back… the team just couldn’t live up to the challenge tonight.” He stressed the importance of adaptability: “We have to play every team twice, so just as much as the other teams adjust, we have to make sure we are adjusting as well.”

Seymour also called for unity and heart: “You could say the team is in a midseason slump, so we just need to regroup and figure out how to get out of it.”

Other Chicago House news:

The Chicago House Women have officially wrapped up their 2025 season, finishing in fourth place in the Lake Michigan Division of the Women’s

Premier Soccer League’s Midwest Conference.

Looking ahead:

Saturday, July 12th: The Men return to Langhorst Field for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff against Bavarian United. The evening’s theme is a “Special Olympians Night” House Fest

Saturday, July 19th: Back on home turf, the Men square off against AFC Roscoe at 7:00 p.m., with a festive “Celebration of Frozen Treats” House Fest bringing summer sweetness to the stands.

Saturday, August 2nd: The Men hit the road for a 7:00 p.m. matchup against Czarni Jaslo, marking their final appearance of the MWPL regular season. Season ticket packages, individual game tickets, and Chicago House merchandise are available at www.chicagohouseac.com.

Chicago House home games at Langhorst Field offer affordable family entertainment, featuring fun pre-game and post-game activities for all ages.

DuPage County wins three national awards

DuPage County received three Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo).

The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.

“DuPage County strives for excellence and seeks to be a leader at the state and national levels. We are grateful to receive this recognition from NACo and thrilled to share these programs with counties across the nation,” said County Board Chair Deborah Conroy.

Each year, NACo’s Achievement Awards recognize outstanding programming in 18 categories aligned with the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, libraries, management, information technology, health, civic engagement and more.

Launched in 1970, the program is designed to celebrate innovation in county government. Each nominated program is judged on its own merits and not against other applications.

“The Achievement Awards shine a spotlight on the hard work and innovation happening in county governments across the nation,” said NACo President James Gore.

“This year’s winners highlight the dedication and creativity of county leaders and our teams to building thriving communities and providing the best possible services to our residents.”

DuPage County won awards for the following programs:

DuPage County

Hinsdale Lake Terrace Rideshare Access Program

Recognizing the economic and transportation access disadvantages faced by residents of the Hinsdale Lake Terrace community in southeast DuPage County, DuPage County government approached Pace Suburban Bus and partnered with Uber to provide mobility services for the community.

The Hinsdale Lake Terrace Rideshare Access Program began in January 2025, built out of conversations with residents regarding mobility and economic needs. The program offers vouchers to residents for a ride anywhere within a local service area for medical services, grocery, employment, and other purposes.

Stormwater Management’s Water Quality Improvement Program grant

DuPage County Stormwater Management recognizes the financial burden a property owner may face undertaking a project that improves regional water quality.

Stormwater Management’s WQIP is a competitive grant that provides financial assistance to projects providing a regional water quality benefit to local waterways.

The grant funds up to 25 percent of eligible construction costs for water quality improvement projects. DuPage County initiated the grant program in 2000 and awarded approximately $6.6 million to 112 projects to date.

18th Judicial Circuit Court Guardianship Help Desk

The 18th Judicial Circuit Court Guardianship Help Desk was designed to provide caretakers and families with an opportunity to speak with an experienced attorney about their specific case, at the crucial court date on which they may be granted guardianship.

Every Tuesday the court devotes the call to Self-Represented Litigants and the Help Desk staffs at least two volunteer attorneys who answer questions about the court process, review all paperwork and make sure everything is to establish guardianship or help complete necessary paperwork, prior to the litigants presenting their case to a judge that same day.

LEGAL NOTICE

CERTIFICATE NO. 79730 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on JUNE 10, 2025, wherein the business firm of ZEPPYS REEF LOCATED AT 508 N. EVERGREEN AVENUE, ELMHURST, IL 60126 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: NAME OF PERSON(S) KEITH RZEPKA, HOME ADDRESS 508 N. EVERGREEN AVENUE, ELMHURST, IL 60126.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 10TH day of JUNE, A.D. 2025. JEAN KACZMAREK Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (OFFICIAL SEAL)

(Published in The Elmhurst Independent June 19 & 26, July 3, 2025) 473376

National Disaster Distress Helpline crisis counseling for people affected by extreme heat

As temperatures rise, it’s important to recognize the serious health risks that can be associated with extreme heat. The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH), at 1-800-985-5990, can provide immediate counseling to anyone affected by the extreme heat.

The Disaster Distress Helpline is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Counselors are available 24/7 to respond to people who need

crisis counseling after experiencing a traumatic event or a disaster. Counselors are trained to offer support to people who may be experiencing a range of symptoms.

The Helpline, available at 1-800985-5990 or www.samhsa.gov/ ddh, immediately connects callers to trained and caring professionals from the nearest crisis counseling center in the nationwide network of centers. The Helpline staff provide confidential

counseling, referrals and other needed support services. Spanish speakers can press “2” for bilingual support. Callers can also connect with counselors in more than 100 other languages via third-party interpretation services by indicating their preferred language to the responding counselor. For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL Callers: Please text or call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 using your preferred Relay provider.

Pritzker launches third-term reelection bid

By Ben Szalinski and Andrew Adams

CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

In a hot gymnasium on Chicago’s South Side, Gov. JB Pritzker announced last week he’s running for a potentially historic third term as governor.

In his announcement speech, Pritzker said he is running to “protect” the story he’s been telling about Illinois—one that has been built largely in opposition to the politics of President Donald Trump.

Pritzker said his third term would focus on grappling with artificial intelligence, addressing the rising cost of living, continued spending on infrastructure and growing the state’s economy.

The field house at Grand Crossing Park where Pritzker launched his first campaign hosted a crowd of Pritzker’s invited supporters, including Democratic party officials,

campaign operatives and longtime Pritzker supporters.

Pritzker’s message has often focused on what Democrats need to do to win and push back on Trump, including addressing economic issues for the middle class and being outspoken against Trump’s policies.

“While it is certainly tempting to lay all of this at the feet of the megalomaniac narcissist in the White House and his malignant clown car in Congress, the hard truth is, we all share some of the blame,” Pritzker said.

The governor said “we must reckon with the fact that everything is too damned expensive,” but taking a shot at Republicans, said enacting budget cuts to key government programs like Medicaid that make life more affordable for people shouldn’t be the solution.

The governor also said a third term would continue his past efforts to protect abortion

rights, diversity programming in the private sector and teachers’ ability to teach “uncensored history.”

Pritzker’s progressive stances on hot-button national issues are part of what has grown his national profile since President Donald Trump took office in January.

The governor has been one of the president’s most vocal Democratic critics and his schedule has been loaded with national media interviews and campaign speeches around the country.

From reelection to presidential election?

A successful reelection could set the stage for a bigger one: Pritzker’s speculated 2028 presidential campaign.

Pritzker on June 26 downplayed the possibility when speaking to reporters but didn’t explicitly rule it out.

“Everything that I do, truly everything that I do, in my job and every day when I wake up is about improving the lot of the people who live in the state of Illinois, lifting up the working families of Illinois,” Pritzker said. “Whatever I do going forward is going to be about that.”

He had a small taste of presidential campaigning last year when he was considered as a running mate for former Vice President Kamala Harris, then served as a surrogate.

“You don’t get on that list unless they think you actually could be president of the United States and do the job if you had to,” Pritzker told reporters last year.

As some Democrats have tried finding a centrist message, Pritzker has stayed in the left lane. He condemned politicians, without mentioning specific names, who abandon their core beliefs for political gain.

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