JANUARY 18, 2023
Vol. VII No. 3 Alice Williams dies at 111, PAGE 3
New Aldi poised to open, PAGE 4
vfpress.news
Welch elected House Speaker again
State’s first Black head of Illinois House of Representatives was sworn into office on Jan. 11 By NIKA SCHOONOVER & HANNAH MEISEL
FREE
Capitol News Illinois
SPRINGFIELD – A mix of incumbents and newly minted lawmakers were sworn into their terms in the 103rd General Assembly on Jan. 11 following a hectic week of “lame duck” action in the House and Senate. The crowning achievement from Democrats who wield total control of state government was a ban on the sale and manufacture of assault weapons in Illinois. Sixteen hours after Gov. JB Pritzker signed the measure into law, the Rev. Jerry Doss of Springfield’s Abundant Faith Christian Center recognized it before his invocation over the House swearing-in ceremony. “I want to also personally thank you – the leaders and the decision-makers – for passing the bill last night on banning assault weapons,” Doss said. “We appreciate you. Thank you.” Doss’ comment was met with rousing cheers from Democratic supporters – and silence from Republicans. Though the dozens of speeches during inauguration activities on Wednesday struck positive notes about working together for the good of Illinois, they also contained subtle hints about the growing partisan divide in Springfield. “A Black kid from the woods — Maywood and See SPEAKER WELCH on page 5
Shanel Romain/Staff
America’s Next Top Model, Jaslene Gonzalez, brought her “On Set with Jaslene” program to The Answer Inc.’s Spectrum Socialite program, held on Jan. 14 at the Beverley Center in Broadview. See more photos on page 3.
Westchester acting village manager retires for more family time Greg Hribal announced Jan. 10 that he would retire ‘effective immediately’ after death of his parents last year, will stay on to help successor’s transition
By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor
Westchester’s acting village manager announced at a regular village board meeting on Jan. 10 that he’s retiring “effective immediately.” Greg Hribal — a 30-year Westchester employee who had been working as acting manager since he was appointed in April to succeed former village manager Paul Nosek temporarily —
said he wants to spend more time with his family. Hribal’s mother, Patricia Ann Hribal, died in December. Hribal said his father, Bruce Hribal, died earlier that year. “I spent the last 350 days bedside with my mother every night after leaving work every day,” Greg Hribal said on Jan. 10. “It was a very difficult and long year, and I would not have been able to do it without the department heads and everybody here who stepped up and See VILLAGE MANAGER on page 8