Governor signs Cullerton-sponsored laws to protect veterans
Gov. Bruce Rauner recently signed two new state laws sponsored by state Sen. Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) to protect veterans at state homes from deadly Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks.
“Gov. Bruce Rauner’s mismanagement and failed leadership killed 13 veterans, now he is trying to take credit for measures the General Assembly had to pass to address his mismanagement,” Cullerton said. “Gov. Rauner does not deserve a pat on the back for attempting to govern in the 11th hour.”
The first measure, House Bill 5683, will expand the list of facilities operated and maintained by the veterans home to include the Sycamore facility in Quincy, allowing for temporary housing of veterans.
“This measure places the health of our veterans ahead of bureaucracy,” Cullerton said. “The high summer temperatures put our heroes in harm’s way. Moving residents to the Sycamore home will serve as a safer alternative while the state makes progress in eliminating any sign of Legionnaires ‘ disease at the Quincy home.”
Due to high temperatures expected during the upcoming summer months, the veterans will be at a greater risk than ever, and Cullerton said he is furious that it took so long for the governor to sign this safeguard measure into law.
“The governor continues to sit on his hands while both sides of the legislature work together to remedy the Legionnaires’ crisis,” Cullerton said. “The Quincy veterans facility is a home for servicemen and women and their loved ones, not a photo op for the governor.”
The second Cullerton measure Gov. Rauner signed, Senate Bill 3128, will save veteran lives by speeding up construction at the Illinois Veterans Home at Quincy.
The measure will immediately authorize the Capital Development Board and the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs to address the ongoing public health crisis that has already claimed 13 lives at the Quincy Veterans Home.
“Our veterans have dedicated their lives to keeping us safe,” Cullerton said. “It’s our job to ensure they are able to live their golden years in a safe environment with the best possible care. They laid their lives on the line to protect our democratic values. They should not live in harm’s way because of the governor’s incompetence.”
The law takes the following actions among others:
• Gives the IDVA or CDB the authority to use the design-build procurement method to rehabilitate and redevelop the Quincy Veterans’ Home.
• Prohibits CDB from charging a fee so that all of the funds are solely used for the rehabilitation and restoration of the home.
• Requires the Office of the Governor, CDB and the IDVA to provide the General Assembly with un-redacted copies of all communications with the federal Department of Veterans Affairs related to securing funding for the rehabilitation of the veterans home.
• Allows CDB to use federal funds directly for capital projects related to Quincy Veterans’ Home, rather than requiring these funds be used for debt service.
Cullerton has made it his mission to help his service brothers and sisters.
“Gov. Bruce Rauner has dragged his feet long enough,” Cullerton said. “I implore him to work quickly to rid the Quincy Veterans Home of all risks so that we don’t lose another veteran’s life.”
Building work continues at library
Villa Park Public Library Director Sandra Hill stated last week that the renovation/construction project at the library is progressing well with construction measures and the correct equipment from companies like Platforms And Ladders. Hill related that temporary interior walls were recently built on the north side of the library stacks. Once those temporary walls were completed, the north side of the existing building was demolished (pictured). The library’s construction firm has begun to prepare the ground for the new foundation, Hill added. The library, located at 305 S. Ardmore Ave., owns the house on the north side of the building. Last week, the Villa Park Fire Department held training exercises in the house, which was demolished this week as part of the expansion of the library. In April 2017, Villa Park voters approved a referendum to allow the village to borrow up to $10.6 million to pay for the renovation and expansion of the library, which was built in 1969. The construction of a two-story addition on the north side of the building will add about 9,300 additional square feet to the library. The project will relocate the library’s main entrance from the south side of the building to the north side. The overall renovation and expansion project should be completed by June 2019. The library is remaining open during the project.
Principals named to state association’s executive board
The Illinois Principals Association (IPA) recently announced its executive board, effective July 1 of this year. Willowbrook High School Principal Dan Krause was named as president-elect, while Jefferson Middle School Principal Raul Gaston was named to the association’s board of directors for the DuPage Region. Krause, who is pictured during this year’s commencement exercises at Willowbrook, will serve as the IPA’s president-elect in 2018-19. He will then serve as the organization’s president in 2019-20. Krause joined Willowbrook as an assistant principal in 2005. He became the school’s principal in 2007. The IPA recognized Krause as its DuPage County High School Principal of the Year in 2013. Gaston joined Jefferson Middle School as an assistant principal in the 2010-11 school year. He began serving as the school’s principal at the start of the 2012-13 school year. The IPA is a leadership organization that serves over 5,300 educational leaders throughout the state. Its mission is to develop, support and advocate for innovative educational leaders.
Villa Park briefs
Library remains open during construction and renovation project
Summer Reading Finale and anniversary celebration on Aug. 3
While providing an update on the ongoing construction and renovation project at the Villa Park Library last week, Library Director Sandra Hill noted the library is remaining open during the project. “While it may be a little noisy sometimes while all this is going on, the library continues to provide services to the community,” said Hill, who noted that summer programs including Summer Desserts with Gale Gand, Toddler Times and Family Storytime at the Gazebo have been well attended. Hill related last week that the library had nearly 1,000 registrants for its summer reading clubs. The clubs will end next week on Friday, Aug. 3. To celebrate all of the successful reading, the library will hold its Summer Reading Finale, along with its 90th anniversary celebration, from 5 to 7 p.m. on Aug. 3. Cake, ice cream and other refreshments will be served. The Friends of the Villa Park Library sponsor the Summer Reading Finale.
District 88 announces a vacancy on its school board
Applications to fill the seat will be accepted through Aug. 1
District 88 released a recent statement announcing a vacancy on its board of education.
“Due to a board member resignation, a seat on the District 88 Board of Education is open until the next election in April 2019,” said the statement.
Timothy Gillen has resigned from the board.
To apply for the position, go online to dupage88.net/BoardPosition2018 by Wednesday, Aug. 1. Board members will interview selected candidates in early August.
For information about qualifications, go to dupage88.net/site/public/files/?item=3228.
For additional details, contact District 88 Superintendent Scott Helton at [email protected], or 630-530-3990.
Chamber’s Burgers, Bags and Business event to be held Aug. 1
The Villa Park Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Burgers, Bags and Business event from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 1. The event will take place near the Rugaard Gazebo, located by Ardmore Avenue and Park Boulevard. An individual ticket for food and drinks costs $25 for a chamber member and $40 for a non-member. An individual ticket for food, drinks and entry into the event’s bags tournament costs $50. A team entry to the tournament, which includes food and drinks for two people, costs $80. For more information, call 630-941-9133, or e-mail [email protected].
Sidewalk chalk party on Aug. 12
The Villa Park Community Pride Commission will hold its annual sidewalk chalk party from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 12. The free event takes place in front of Villa Park Village Hall, 20 S. Ardmore Ave. Residents of all ages are invited to decorate the sidewalk with art that shows what they love about Villa Park. Hot dogs and other refreshments will be provided.
Thursday concerts at Cortesi Park in August
The Village of Villa Park recently announced a series of concerts at Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park each Thursday in August. Residents are invited to bring their lawn chairs, blankets and appetites. Each concert begins at 6:30 p.m. at the park, which is located at 318 E. Kenilworth Ave. Food will be available for purchase at the Villa Park Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2801 concession stand, which will open at 6 p.m. on the night of each concert. The Aug. 2 concert will feature the music of Los Tequileros. Flat Cats will perform on Aug. 9, while Mason Rivers will headline the Aug. 16 concert. Rosie and the Rivets will perform on Aug. 23. Mr. Myers will appear at the Aug. 30 concert.
Big Rigs and Kids at Cortesi Park on Aug. 18
The Village of Villa Park will hold its annual Big Rigs and Kids event from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 18, at Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park, 318 E. Kenilworth Ave. Children will be able to see and touch a variety of vehicles, including vehicles from the village’s police, fire and public works departments. The Big Rigs and Kids event will coincide with the August Super Sensational Saturday Morning event at the park. Ken Schultz-“The Flying Fool”-uses audience participation to include children in his performance.
Movies in the Park on Aug. 6 and Aug. 13
The Villa Park Public Library and Villa Park Parks and Recreation will present their free Movies in the Park events on at 8 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 6, and Monday, Aug. 13, at Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park, 318 E. Kenilworth Ave. “Moana” will be presented on Aug. 6. “Toy Story” is the Aug. 13 movie. Concessions will be available for purchase. An adult must accompany children under 12. The movies will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather.
