Naperville Sun

Will County is serious about space problems

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:06:00 -0500

JOLIET — The Will County Board is poised to start chipping away at its serious space shortage after more than a decade of debate. With $14.3 million in existing funds, the county could soon start on a path toward $441 million in new buildings. “We have a lot of cramped space and raggedy buildings, and things need to be done,” said board member Denise Winfrey (D-Joliet), chairwoman of the board’s capital improvements committee. By starting small with existing money, the county won’t be forcing taxpayers to reach deep into their pockets, and it won’t be crippling its budget for years …

Police report

Fri, 24 May 2013 21:55:02 -0500

These are incidents reported by the Naperville Police Department. Where charges have been filed, the report includes when and where the suspect was stopped or taken into custody and the nature of the charges. Monday, May 20 1Theft: A 22-year-old man reported between 11 and 11:55 p.m., brown leather wallet containing driver’s license, Bank of America credit card and $30 picked out of back pocket of his jeans while he was inside unidentified bar on 0-99 block of West Jefferson Avenue; man unable to provide information on possible suspect. Tuesday, May 21 2Vehicle damage: Between 6:45 p.m. May 20 and …

D203 may need to pay back Edward in next few weeks

Fri, 24 May 2013 18:05:13 -0500

Naperville School District 203 may have to pay the tax money it owes back to Edward Hospital within the next few weeks, the School Board heard Wednesday night. Many hospitals like Edward were deemed not-for-profit until 2011, when the Illinois Department of Revenue denied them tax exemptions, saying the hospitals operate more like businesses than charities. Edward Hospital officials said the hospital has earned its tax-exempt status by providing nearly $100 million in community benefits in 2012 alone, including a charity care policy that exceeds the state’s requirements. A law passed by the General Assembly last summer allows non-profit hospitals …

Naperville nature center looking right on schedule

Fri, 24 May 2013 18:07:01 -0500

The Knoch Knolls Nature Center is on the right path for a groundbreaking this summer. On Thursday night, the Naperville Park District Board OK’d five contracts related to the construction of the nature center. A total of more than $1.5 million was awarded for bids that include grading and excavation, work on utilities, laminated timbers and general carpentry for the site. Commissioner Ron Ory said a construction manager will oversee the project, which will require more than 20 contracts including those approved Thursday to complete. The center is at Knoch Knolls, a 224-acre park featuring the East and West Branches …

Crowding issues coming to a head at Naperville brewery

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:34:11 -0500

Solemn Oath Brewery has only been open for about a year, but already it’s overflowing. Operators of the Naperville business have a chance to expand into adjacent space in the industrial area near Ogden and Quincy avenues where they now produce and sell their brews, but they need Naperville’s blessing. Two representatives of the craft brewery brought their case to the City Council Tuesday, asking for adjustments to the specialized Class P license category that was created for them late in 2011. Business has been good so far for the brewery, which allows customers to buy no more than three …

Soldier sculpture to be dedicated Sunday

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:37:20 -0500

The Naperville Riverwalk Commission, Century Walk Foundation, Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 and American Legion Post 43 invites the public to attend the dedication of the new Fallen Soldier Sculpture that will be unveiled in Exchange Club Veterans Plaza. A brief ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Exchange Club Veterans Plaza on the Riverwalk at Jackson Avenue just east of Webster Street. Following the ceremony, the bronze sculpture, which depicts a soldier’s boots, rifle, helmet and dog tags, will be unveiled to honor those lives that have been lost on the battlefield. The U.S. Army Band …

School District 203 teacher contract gets board OK

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:35:14 -0500

The Naperville School District 203 Board of Education Wednesday unanimously approved a three-year contract for district teachers. Already ratified May 16 by 89 percent of the Naperville Unit Education Association’s 1,350 members, the new deal will represent an increase in cost to the taxpayer of slightly under 2 percent annually, estimated District 203 Associate Superintendent for Finance Dave Zager. “This has been a thoughtful arbitration and thoroughly professional process,” Mark Bailey, NUEA president, said before the vote. The agreement is effective at the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year and continues to tie salary increases to the national Consumer Price …

District 204 to be model for teachers learning new standards nationwide

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:34:44 -0500

Indian Prairie School District 204 teachers went back to class themselves on Wednesday to learn how they’ll soon become models for teachers nationwide. Beginning this summer, distinguished teachers in the Indian Prairie School District will be helping teachers across the country learn what it means to teach the new Common Core curriculum being rolled out in 45 states in the U.S. The initiative, called the Helmsley Project after its major funding source, the Helmsley Charitable Trust, will ask teachers in Indian Prairie and just three other school districts — ones in Reno, Nevada; Bethel, Conn.; and parts of New York …

Taking a look at the situation in Springfield

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:36:08 -0500

State Rep. Darlene Senger (R-Naperville) spoke at the May 18 Naperville Area Homeowners Confederation meeting. A former confederation president, she is always welcome on our agenda to share insights with a group whose charter and mission she understands well. Her discussion focused on Springfield’s efforts to resolve unfunded pension liabilities, and the resulting impacts to our neighborhoods and communities. Taking all of the rhetoric out of the discussion, Senger stressed the Legislature needs to begin following actuarial principles and allocate enough funding to provide retirees with monthly paychecks for the rest of their lives. While touching on other issues, including …

Police report

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:34:01 -0500

These are incidents reported by the Naperville Police Department. Where charges have been filed, the report includes when and where the suspect was stopped or taken into custody and the nature of the charges. Friday, May 17 1Shoplifting: About 5:22 p.m., shoes stolen from Plato’s Closet, 572 S. Route 59. 2Battery: About 6:14 p.m., unidentified patient kicked paramedic after escaping from ambulance on campus of Edward Hospital, 801 S. Washington St. 3Shoplifting: Jonathan C. Ocotoxtle, 21, North Aurora; Cesar Soto, 19, Aurora; Nikko A. Tooley, 20, Aurora; and two unidentified males or females; 6:15 p.m. at Walmart, 776 S. Route …

Who cares? These 100(+) women, for one

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:34:22 -0500

They don’t wear capes. At least, I didn’t see any at the meeting. But these are still superheroes. There’s a group of do-gooders in town who quietly go around making things better. They have no political skin in the game and don’t stand to gain economically. They just do it because, well, it’s the right thing to do. The Naperville chapter of 100(+) Women Who Care is now living up to its name, too. “I have to say this,” said chapter founder Palma Aikins to the women gathered Tuesday at Suparossa restaurant in Woodridge, where they meet quarterly. “We hit …

Court dispositions

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:35:04 -0500

The following court record of charges that originated in Naperville was provided by the DuPage County Circuit Clerk’s office: Shauna K. Ammendola, 4232 Chaparral Drive, Naperville: DUI, first or second offense, charges dropped; DUI, blood alcohol level of .08 or more, first or second offense, fines and costs assessed; fail to signal when changing lanes, charges dropped; improper lane usage, change lanes unsafely, charges dropped; speeding over statutory limit 15-20, charges dropped. Christian Cortes, 1993 Golden Gate Lane, Naperville: DUI, first or second offense, fines and costs assessed; operate uninsured motor vehicle, closing dismissal; speeding over statutory limit 11-14, closing …

Project getting started along DuPage River

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:37:50 -0500

Area residents got a chance to hear about improvements to the West Branch of the DuPage River during a special meeting Tuesday night. The project is the work of an intergovernmental agreement between DuPage County, the City of Warrenville, and the DuPage County Forest Preserve District, and seeks to improve flood control in the area and restore the riverbank. “It’s a significant protection level,” project consultant Marty Michalisko said. The cost of the project is estimated at $4 million, partially funded by a $1.37 million grant from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the rest coming from DuPage County. The improvements …

NCC students get lesson in dangers of distracted driving

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:37:30 -0500

Students at North Central College experienced a rather unsettling event Tuesday as police cars and fire engines arrived in response to a “head-on collision” on Brainard Street between Chicago Avenue and Jefferson Avenue. Fortunately, the scene had all been staged ahead of time in order to make a point. “We wanted to raise awareness and produce an emotional impact about what can happen when people are distracted when they drive,” said Ryan Shreve, 21, a senior graphic arts major at North Central College who helped organize a texting and driving crash simulation. “We’re hoping to raise awareness and get people …

Poppy Days wrapping up Monday

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:36:48 -0500

The guys with the little red flowers won’t be around much longer. Operating under the credo “Honor the dead by helping the living,” the yearly VFW Buddy Poppy Days fundraising campaign under way throughout the community collects donations to support local veterans and their interests. Naperville resident and activist Mike Barbour, commander emeritus of Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, has run the Poppy Days event since 1998. He emphasized that all money collected in the local drive is used to help veterans and their causes in Naperville. Barbour and his wife Jan were on hand at Tuesday’s City Council meeting …

Memorial Day events geared toward remembering the fallen

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:36:32 -0500

Beyond the backyard burgers and barbecue, there lies a somber reason for the upcoming long weekend. Several events in the area are planned to commemorate Memorial Day by honoring those who have given up their lives in the line of military duty. Walking with soldiers 2-3:15 p.m. Saturday, Naper Settlement Participants will gather at the Visitor Center, 523 S. Webster St., and head out to Naperville Cemetery for a guided tour. They will view the grave of a Confederate soldier, hear stories about Civil War veterans from Naperville, and learn how local carpenter and home builder Levi Shafer’s gun wound …