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Crystal Lake man pleads guilty for part in Jan. 6 assault

Nikki Finke
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Crystal Lake man pleads guilty for part in Jan. 6 assault

A Crystal Lake man has pleaded guilty to assaulting law enforcement during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol.

Robert Giacchetti, 59, entered the plea on one count of assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers before U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan, according to a release Wednesday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Columbia.

He is scheduled for sentencing on June 3.

Court documents showed Giacchetti attended a rally at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., and afterward made his way to the U.S. Capitol building. There, while on a restricted walkway on the South side of the Capitol, Giacchetti used a bullhorn to yell profanities and insults at law enforcement officers responding to the riot.

According to the document, while on the North Terrace, Giacchetti confronted officers maintaining a police line, using his right elbow and hip to push against a riot shield, causing an officer to be driven backward.

Giacchetti entered the Capitol building through the Upper West Terrace Door at approximately 2:34 p.m. Once inside, he moved to the Rotunda, the Rotunda Lobby and the Gallery Stairs, where he chanted “Treason!” through his bullhorn to the rioters below.

He then joined a crowd in the East Corridor. At approximately 2:43 p.m., Giacchetti entered the Senate Gallery, where he yelled phrases such as “Where’d you go?!” and “Treason!” through his bullhorn. After exiting the Gallery, he moved to the Ohio Clock Corridor, joining a group of rioters confronting officers trying to block access to the Senate chamber.

Giacchetti exited the Capitol at approximately 2:55 p.m. via the Senate Carriage Door. Outside, Giacchetti confronted journalists on Capitol Grounds, destroying media equipment belonging to The Associated Press. He pushed over lights, a dolly, and a camera on a tripod, which struck a journalist.

Giacchetti was identified as BOLO (Be on the Lookout) #201 on the FBI’s seeking information images.

In the 46 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,561 people have been charged with crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 590 charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement.

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Firefighter has narrow escape from semitrailer while helping at I-90 crash, driver cited for Scott’s Law

Nikki Finke
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Firefighter has narrow escape from semitrailer while helping at I-90 crash, driver cited for Scott’s Law

A Huntley firefighter sustained minor injuries after leaping out of the way of a semitrailer-truck Friday night while working a crash on the eastbound Jane Addams Tollway (I-90).

A Huntley firefighter sustained minor injuries Friday night after back-to-back crashes on the Jane Addams Tollway (I-90).
Daily Herald File Photo

Huntley Fire Protection District crews were assisting with a collision between a semitrailer truck and a van when a fire engine at the scene was hit by another semitrailer.

“The firefighter was attempting to get equipment from the fire engine when he saw the approaching semi and was able to jump out of the way before impact,” Huntley Battalion Chief Eric Bentley said.

The second crash occurred at about 10 p.m. on I-90 just east of Route 47, in Kane County.

The firefighter was rushed to Northwestern Hospital in Huntley where he was treated and released.

Illinois State Police are investigating and issued a citation for a Scott’s law violation to the driver who struck the fire engine, authorities said.

The fire department had stationed the engine with its emergency warning lights flashing near the first crash to protect the area and had closed the right lane.

The fire engine had moderate damage and was towed away for repairs.

The first crash occurred at about 9:40 p.m. when a van rear-ended a semitrailer truck. The van driver was taken to Advocate Sherman Hospital and listed in stable condition, police said.

Neither truck driver was injured.

“We would like to remind the motorists to move over for all vehicles on the side of the road,” Bentley said.

“Scott’s Law, also known as the “Move Over” Law, is a traffic law in Illinois that requires drivers to move over and slow down when approaching emergency vehicles,” Bentley added.

“First responders are aware of the dangers of working on today’s roadways. We are fortunate that our firefighter was aware of the situation and was able to avoid further injuries,” he noted.

Crashes involving Illinois State Police squad cars are up this year, according to an ISP database. There have been 23 to date, 11 involving injuries, compared to 21 in 2023.

Closed lanes on I-90 were reopened at about 11 p.m.

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What can we expect from the IHSA football semifinals?

Nikki Finke
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What can we expect from the IHSA football semifinals?

Naperville Central’s Troy Kashul (52) celebrates after a sack during last week’s win over Lyons Twp.
Gary E Duncan Sr./Shaw Local News Network

We started with 46 area football teams in the IHSA playoffs, and now we’re down to seven.

But considering we’re heading into the state semifinals, that seems like a pretty solid number. Especially with the seven teams spread throughout five of the eight classes.

As Batavia, Cary-Grove, Geneva, Montini, Naperville Central, St. Francis and York get ready for Saturday’s action, let’s look at some of the storylines.

Class 8A assumptions

Many eyes will be focused on Saturday’s Class 8A showdown between No. 1 Lincoln-Way East (12-0) and No. 12 Loyola (10-2), which beat the Griffins in the last two title games.

The attention is merited. Loyola has won five state titles while Lincoln-Way East boasts three. The Griffins have manhandled every team they’ve played this season, except Naperville Central in the regular-season finale.

Which brings us to the rest of the story.

While some folks may look at the Lincoln-Way East-Loyola matchup as the title game, just a week early, let’s not forget about the other side of the bracket.

No. 7 Naperville Central (11-1), which lost 28-7 to the Griffins, takes on No. 14 York (10-2). Call this the underdog bracket, I guess.

The Redhawks have won two state titles, but this is their first semifinal appearance since beating Loyola in the 2013 8A final. York is in the semifinals for a third straight year, but the Dukes never have played in a title game.

Whoever wins the one semifinal will be seen as a heavy favorite against whomever wins the other. But let’s wait and see what happens.

After all, there’s a reason they play the games.

One step at a time

I honestly thought defending Class 6A champion Cary-Grove (12-0) had a difficult path in the upper half of this year’s bracket. But even with star running back Logan Abrams out with an injury, the Trojans have outscored three playoff opponents by an average of nearly 45 points.

Does the first challenge await Saturday against Geneva (11-1)? It’s a rematch of last year’s quarterfinals, won 41-7 by Cary-Grove, but the Vikings have more to offer this time around.

The passing combination of quarterback Anthony Chahino and receiver Talyn Taylor, committed to Georgia, is lethal. The defense forced five turnovers last week. And what’s up with all the successful onside kicks?

You can’t help but look at the potential of a title game rematch between the Trojans and East St. Louis (11-1), which plays Richards in the other 6A semifinal.

But first we’ll see if Geneva can slow down Cary-Grove, and vice versa.

Another rematch

St. Francis against Nazareth … where have I heard that before.

For the fourth time in the last two seasons, the CCL/ESCC powers square off, this time in a Class 5A semifinal. While the Spartans have won the last two regular-season meetings, Nazareth claimed last year’s semifinal en route to winning a second straight state title.

The familiarity between the teams can’t be understated. The Spartans are no doubt sick of seeing Nazareth quarterback Logan Malachuk. And the Roadrunners can’t wait for St. Francis receiver Zach Washington to graduate.

So much for predictions

Back in early August, we offered bold predictions heading into the season.

How did we do? Not great.

One was that Loyola won’t win a third straight state title because of the strength in Class 8A. The Ramblers are still two wins away from a three-peat, but making it to the semifinals four a fourth straight season is quite a feat.

Another prediction was a total bust — Edwardsville would be this season’s first-time state champion. Oops … the Tigers went 6-3 in the regular season and lost to York in the opening round of the 8A playoffs.

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Woman dies in house fire near St. Charles

Nikki Finke
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Woman dies in house fire near St. Charles

A woman is dead after a house fire Thursday night on the 39W500 block of Hemlock Drive near St. Charles.
Sandy Bressner/Shaw Local News Network

One person is dead following a house fire Thursday night near St. Charles.

Fox River & Countryside Fire Protection District firefighters responded to the two-story, single-family home at the corner of Hemlock Drive and Overcup Court just after 8 p.m.

The home was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived. Neighbors told firefighters someone might be trapped inside.

Fire officials said they found a woman unresponsive on the rear deck of the home. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

A woman is dead after a house fire Thursday night on the 39W500 block of Hemlock Drive near St. Charles.
Sandy Bressner/Shaw Local News Network

The home is in an unincorporated area of Kane County with no fire hydrants nearby. It took firefighters roughly an hour to extinguish the blaze, which caused an estimated $500,000 in damage.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

It was the first of two house fires district firefighters battled Thursday night with the help of dozens of other neighboring agencies.

The second fire was reported just after 8:30 p.m. on the 7N400 block of Homeward Glen Drive near Campton Hills.

Flames were visible through the roof of an attached three-car garage, but no injuries were reported. Residents were evaluated at the scene and released, fire officials said.

Again, fire officials said their efforts were hampered by the lack of fire hydrants in the area, requiring special equipment and the assistance of neighboring departments to bring water.

It took nearly an hour to bring the fire under control. Damage to the home is estimated at $200,000.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

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Holiday light shows illuminate the suburbs

Nikki Finke
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Holiday light shows illuminate the suburbs

Santa’s Rock N Lights moves to the Kane County Cougars Northwestern Medicine Field in Geneva this year.
Courtesy of All Community Events

Holiday light shows across the suburbs are driving away the darkness, at least through the end of the year and into early January. Now’s the perfect time to explore a variety of light displays — outdoors on illuminated walking paths or from the warmth of your car.

Happy Holiday Railway: 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, and Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 30-Dec. 22, at Illinois Railway Museum, 7000 Olson Road, Union. Aboard the train you’ll meet Santa, see the light and music show, and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies. Trips at 11:30 a.m., 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 4, 5 and 6 p.m. Arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled trip. $25. Tickets: irm.org/event/happy-holiday-railway.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s Holiday Magic runs select days Friday, Nov. 22, through Tuesday, Dec. 31.
Courtesy of Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Brookfield Zoo’s Holiday Magic: 3-9 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Nov. 29-30 and Dec. 1; Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 5-8, 12-15 and 19-22; and Thursday through Tuesday, Dec. 26-31, at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. Visit the Chicago area’s longest-running lights festival featuring over 2 million twinkling LED lights, themed lighting areas, Santa visits through Dec. 22, Holiday Market, treats and sips and seasonal attractions. Zoo admission and parking fees apply. Advance tickets are required. brookfieldzoo.org//HolidayMagic.

Christmas Musical Light Show: 4-9 p.m. daily, Dec. 1-25, at the Bandshell on Skidmore, Antioch. Stay in your car and watch the lights on the band shell synchronized to holiday music playing on your car radio. The 20-minute shows run continuously. Free. antiochchamber.org.

Naper Lights: 4-10 p.m. through Wednesday, Jan. 1, in downtown Naperville. Display of holiday lights and music along Water Street, Foyo Plaza, Jaycees Park and the Riverwalk. Free. naperlights.com.

 
Illumination: Tree Lights shines bright through Jan. 4 at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle.
Rick West/[email protected]

Illumination: Tree Lights: 4:30-9:30 p.m. through Saturday, Jan. 4, at The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. See 17 displays of lights set to music highlighting the beauty of trees in winter along a 1-mile, ADA-accessible, paved path. Roast marshmallows for s’mores and enjoy a hot seasonal beverage from the concession tents along the trail. New this year is an Illumination sensory evening Dec. 3. The exhibition is closed select Mondays and Tuesdays and on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Tickets: mortonarb.org.

Marvel at the Cathedral of Light during Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe.
Courtesy of Chicago Botanic Garden

Lightscape: 4:30-9:15 p.m. select dates through Jan. 5 at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Take a nighttime stroll through illuminated displays. $32 for members, $34 for nonmembers for adults; $17/$19 for kids 3-12 in advance; $37/$39 for adults, $22/$24 for kids the day of. chicagobotanic.org/lightscape.

Lightscape illuminates the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe select nights through Jan. 5.
Courtesy of Chicago Botanic Garden

ZooLights: Time slots start at 4:30 p.m. select dates through Jan. 5 at Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St., Chicago. ZooLights will feature more than 3 million lights, including hundreds of luminous LED displays and festive experiences. $7-$10; free on select Mondays. lpzoo.org/event/zoolights.

Christmas at Cantigny: 5-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, now through Dec. 31; Wednesdays and Thursdays, Nov. 27 to Dec. 26, and Dec. 18, 22-23 and 30-31, at Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Stroll through a half-mile, fully ADA- and stroller-accessible path featuring music-orchestrated light shows, festive decorations, huge flower sculptures and a 28-foot Christmas tree. This year, the light show expands into upper and lower display gardens. Take a tour of the renovated McCormick House. Weekdays: $8-$12 in advance or $10-$15 at the door; weekends: $15-$20 or $19-$30; holiday peak (Dec. 20-23): $15-$25 or $24-$38. Tickets: cantigny.org.

Home for the Holidays Lighted Christmas Trail: 5-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, through Jan. 2 in Shiloh Park, starting at Port Shiloh Pool parking lot, 1501 Shiloh Blvd., Zion. Drive through a lighted trail with over 50 displays and 100,000 lights. zionparkdistrict.com.

See life-size illuminated dinosaurs and more during Santa’s Rock N Lights at the Kane County Cougars Northwestern Medicine Field in Geneva.
Courtesy of All Community Events

Santa’s Rock N Lights: Times start at 5 p.m., but vary by day, through Tuesday, Dec. 31, at the Kane County Cougars Northwestern Medicine Field, 34W002 Cherry Lane, Geneva. Drive-through animated lights show featuring dancing light tunnels, 3D light sculptures of dinosaurs, reindeer, polar bears, guitar-playing Santas and more synced to music. $29.99-$36.99. santasrocknlights.com/geneva.

Highwood Holiday Light Village: Daily through Thursday, Jan. 2, at Everts Park, 111 North Ave., Highwood. Free. chamberhp.com.

Electric Illumination: 8:30-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 29-30 (2000s pop hits), Dec. 6-7 (Country Music Mashups) and Dec. 13-14 (Diva Anthems) at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. A special late-night experience when ages 18 and older can enjoy a curated playlist of music synchronized to the light displays. A DJ will be stationed in Arbor Court. Hot chocolate, snacks, alcoholic beverages and s’more kits can be purchased in the concession tents and enjoyed by the bonfires. Tickets start at $30 at mortonarb.org.

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Should state require background checks from school board candidates?

Nikki Finke
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Should state require background checks from school board candidates?

A resolution to advocate for a law requiring school board candidates to submit criminal background checks when running for office is expected to be voted on Saturday by Illinois Association of School Boards delegates.
Courtesy of the Illinois Association of School Boards

Delegates at the annual Illinois Association of School Boards conference are expected to vote Saturday on a measure calling for future board candidates to submit criminal background checks with their nominating paperwork.

Supporters of the initiative say it closes a loophole in state election law, while critics say it amounts to a poll tax and might deter qualified candidates from seeking office.

The resolution to have IASB advocate for legislation requiring checks was proposed by the Joliet Township High School District 204 board earlier this year. Officials from the district did not respond to requests for comment about what precipitated the proposal.

According to the IASB resolutions committee report, District 204’s board submitted the resolution because “current law states that no school board member can be convicted of an infamous crime. However, there is no oversight that is making sure that this is completed.”

The resolutions committee rejected the proposal at their summer meeting, but District 204 officials are appealing that decision and asking for a vote by delegates anyway. It will require approval from two-thirds of the delegates at the meeting to pass, IASB officials said. Every school district in the state can send one delegate to vote at the conference.

“It could cause financial and procedural challenges for potential school board members,” the report states. “These challenges could deter qualified candidates from running for a school board.”

Legal and government policy experts tend to agree with the resolutions committee.

“We’ve done a lot to advocate for candidates to make it easier for them to run for office and are leery of any new barriers to entry,” said Ryan Tolley, executive director of CHANGE Illinois, a nonpartisan, nonprofit group that advocates for ethical government and elections. “Is there an actual problem we’re solving, or is this a solution to a nonproblem?”

Currently, when school board candidates submit petitions to be on the ballot, they must sign an affidavit stating they “qualify” for the office. The onus is on the candidate to know what those qualifications are, said Ross Secler, an attorney at Odelson, Murphey, Frazier & McGrath who specializes in election law.

“You swear under oath that you’re qualified, so it’s a big catch-all,” he said.

Among the candidacy qualifications is the requirement of no prior conviction of an “infamous” crime, which by state statute is defined as “arson, bigamy, bribery, burglary, deviate sexual assault, forgery, incest or aggravated incest, indecent liberties with a child, kidnapping or aggravated kidnapping, murder, perjury, rape, robbery, sale of narcotic drugs, subornation of perjury and theft if the punishment imposed is imprisonment in the penitentiary.”

But Secler points out criminal background checks could reveal convictions of all crimes, not just the infamous variety. And submitting it with candidate paperwork would make it a public document.

“There may be something not disqualifying but embarrassing to bring back up,” he said. “Is that necessary?”

Illinois State Police offer criminal background checks run by their office and the FBI for $33.25, according to their website. However, critics worry about the demand on resources and response times when thousands of candidates from hundreds of Illinois school districts seek that paperwork every two years.

“In the end, we’re holding school board members to a higher standard than anyone else elected to public office,” complained Marc Tepper, Kildeer Countryside Elementary District 96 board president and treasurer of the IASB board of directors. “I don’t think we’re going to see very much support for this.”

The measure is one of 10 resolutions IASB conference delegates are voting on. Six resolutions were supported by the committee, while four others are recommended for rejection, including the background check proposal.

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Aqua Illinois customers to see water bill hike in the new year

Nikki Finke
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Aqua Illinois customers to see water bill hike in the new year

SPRINGFIELD — Following almost a year of legal battles and fierce public opposition from many customers, water utility Aqua Illinois is set to raise its rates in 2025.

The privately owned water utility has not released an estimate of the exact impact the increase will have on customer bills in 14 northern Illinois counties. But the approved increase represents a 43% reduction from the utility’s original request, which would have raised bills by an estimated $30 per month, according to the Citizens Utility Board consumer advocacy group.

State regulators at the Illinois Commerce Commission approved the rate increase on Thursday – but not before the drastic reduction. In its initial requested rate hike from January, Aqua wanted to collect an additional $19.2 million from customers to pay for infrastructure upgrades, costs associated with taking over existing water systems and paying out a 10.8% return to investors.

But regulators cut the overall request, allowing the company to collect $11.6 million from customers while paying out a 9.6% return to investors.

The company argued throughout the case that the increase was necessary to recover costs from upgrading water systems to ensure safe water delivery.

“In the six years since our last rate increase, we made significant upgrades to water and wastewater facilities and infrastructure across Illinois,” Aqua said in a statement to Capitol News Illinois. “This rate decision highlights Aqua’s commitment to aggressively invest in infrastructure to improve service and reliability for our customers.”

ICC Commissioner Stacey Paradis said after the decision Thursday that the five-member panel “did not come to this decision lightly.”

“The commission regulates large water utilities and ensures they provide safe and adequate service,” Paradis said. “Transparent infrastructure investments and long-term planning are essential to ensure water and wastewater service meets regulatory requirements, environmental goals and customer needs.”

ICC commissioners also approved a new scheme for Aqua’s low-income customers. Starting in July, eligible customers with household incomes below 150% of the federal poverty level – about $48,000 for a family of four – will be able to receive a 70% discount on the portion of their bill that’s based on water usage.

Paradis noted that this move “is just a first step.” In explaining the ICC’s decision, ICC Chair Doug Scott said that, despite approving Aqua’s proposed formula for calculating rates, the commissioners worried that the company “may be unnecessarily shifting costs to residential ratepayers.”

To that end, the ICC is requiring Aqua to begin the process of creating a discount program for the entire bill with multiple tiers based on income. Those changes must be proposed by Jan. 1, 2027, or as part of Aqua’s next rate case, whichever is sooner.

This mirrors similar requirements recently placed on gas utilities by the ICC. Those discount programs, which went into effect last month, offer low-income households up to between 75% and 83% off their entire bill, depending on their income and which company they buy gas from.

The head of AARP Illinois, a group that advocates for the interests of those age 50 and over, also reacted positively to the news. AARP Illinois State Director Philippe Largent said he was “heartened” by Scott’s focus on consumers in his public statement.

“I think the biggest takeaway is this notion that we as Illinois should not have to choose between basics: food, water, medicine vs. rent,” Largent said.

Largent also noted that he would have liked to see the low-income discount go into effect in January alongside the rate increase.

Many of the most vocal – and most adversely impacted – Aqua Illinois customers formally lodged comments in this case, asking the ICC to cut the rate increase entirely, citing concerns over already high bills and water quality.

In 2019, water in University Park had lead levels that exceeded state regulations due to Aqua changing water sources, inadvertently stripping a protective coating from old lead pipes. The state quickly sued the company to force compliance. The lawsuit ended in July with a consent order requiring free lead testing and the company to distribute grants to remedy home lead contamination.

At a public hearing in August, the issue was an animating factor in residents’ desire to see the rate increase cut.

Residents of Crystal Lake, Buffalo Grove and other suburban communities also requested aggressive cuts to, or outright rejection of, the rate increase at a separate public hearing in McHenry County, citing discolored water in a few local systems. Representatives of the company say that issue will be addressed, although the timeline for those remedies is not finalized.

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Giving Machines at Fox Valley Mall make donating to local charities easy as a card swipe

Nikki Finke
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Giving Machines at Fox Valley Mall make donating to local charities easy as a card swipe

Three bright red vending machines at Fox Valley Mall make donating clothes to homeless people, providing healthy snacks for needy kids or sending polio vaccines to people in Africa as easy as buying a candy bar.

The Giving Machines, an initiative of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, were unveiled Friday for the second year at the Aurora mall. The machines allow people to donate specific items or services to six local charities and two national organizations with the push of a few buttons and swipe of a card.

 
The Giving Machines allow people to make a direct donation for a specific item or service to eight different charities. The machines will be at Fox Valley Mall in Aurora until Dec. 3.
Rick West/[email protected]

April Foreman, communications director for the church, said they were born of a conversation on how to make giving “repeatable and enjoyable.”

“They’re made to connect with our local communities,” she said. “We like to say that Giving Machines are about people giving to people and that both sides of the glass are benefiting.”

The Giving Machines were introduced in 2017. In the years since they’ve had over 2.2 million people donate a total of over $33 million. This year, the machines are in 104 locations.

Lazarus House, an organization in St. Charles that helps people in need with shelter, food and other support services, is among the six local charities chosen after a vigorous vetting process.

Julie Purcell, their executive director, said they appreciated that an organization as large as the church would support small local charities like theirs.

 
The Giving Machines are unwrapped Friday at Fox Valley Mall by representatives of the charities that will benefit.
Rick West/[email protected]

“It’s a great opportunity for us to raise money in a nontraditional way, especially around the holidays,” Purcell said. “There is a rise in homelessness nationwide. And in our area, we’re seeing a huge rise with senior citizens and also two-parent families who, due to the lack of affordable housing, are getting pushed out of their apartments because they can no longer afford it.”

The other local charities include Bernie’s Book Bank, Little Friends, Loaves & Fishes, Phil’s Friends and Watt’s of Love. National nonprofits UNICEF USA and Church World Service are also represented.

 
All the donations made to the eight charities represented in the Giving Machines are dropped to the bottom like a vending machine.
Rick West/[email protected]

The machines will be at the mall until GivingTuesday on Dec. 3, when they will move to a location in St. Louis.

Last year, about 25,000 people in the Chicagoland area were helped by donations through Giving Machine locations. The Latter-day Saints covers all the operating costs, and the charities receive 100% of the donations.

 
The Pinnegar family of Oswego watches as their donation cards drop to the bottom of a Giving Machine at Fox Valley Mall Friday. They purchased something for each of the eight charities involved. Pictured are dad Devon and mom Shelby, with kids (from left), Payson, 3, Ada, 8, Maylee, 5, and Draper, 10.
Rick West/[email protected]

Oswego residents Devon Pinnegar, his wife Shelby, and their four kids were first in line to use one of the machines. He said they pooled money with another family and made donations to all eight charities represented, totaling $338.

“We try to teach our kids that the Lord blessed us with extra stuff, so we want to share with everybody else,” Devon Pinnegar said.

 
The Giving Machines were unveiled for the second year at Fox Valley Mall in Aurora on Friday.
Rick West/[email protected]

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Bensenville rallies behind food pantry after holiday train schedule change

Nikki Finke
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Bensenville rallies behind food pantry after holiday train schedule change

A holiday train stop in Bensenville came with all the bells and whistles: lights, music and a show of support for a community food pantry.

Canadian Pacific would donate funds, and people attending the festivities would drop off items to help stock the Bensenville-Wood Dale Food Pantry.

This year, however, the village learned the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Holiday Train would not visit Bensenville on a national tour.

“So I immediately went into the mode of, ‘Hey, listen, we’ll raise that money.’ We have a strong Bensenville community. We are ‘Bensenville Strong,’” Village President Frank DeSimone said.

In the spirit of that mantra, the village worked to keep the tradition of helping the pantry right on track. As a result of fundraising efforts, the village will present a check for the pantry at its Christmas tree lighting celebration on Sunday. The unofficial total so far is $17,662, DeSimone said Friday.

“I want to just tell everybody how proud I am of the community, that I know that they will step up at any time we need it,” he said.

The decked-out holiday train rolled into Bensenville in 2019.
Daily Herald file photo

Boxes also were set up at village hall, the police station and around town to collect nonperishable items. DeSimone appeared in a social media campaign encouraging people to rally behind the pantry. Monetary donations can be made through the Bensenville Community Foundation and specifically designated for the pantry.

“We’re extremely thankful to the village president and the village board and their staff for keeping us in their hearts and minds,” said Rick Kambic, president of the food pantry’s board of directors.

Even without the stop this year, CPKC is making a donation to the Bensenville-Wood Dale Food Pantry, a spokesperson said Friday.

So far in 2024, the volunteer-based food pantry has served 5,521 individuals at least one time. In total, including individuals who visited multiple times, the food pantry served 28,608, according to Kambic. Some 37% of households are new and did not use the pantry last year.

“We have plenty of people who have come because they’re in between jobs, and then once they got their job … they ended up volunteering with us,” Kambic said. “So no shame, no questions asked. We’re here to help, whether it’s one week, two weeks, two months — we care.”

 
“Our slogan is ‘Bensenville Strong,’ so we know that when we’re in need, our community steps up, our partners step up and our friends step up,” Village President Frank DeSimone said of fundraising efforts for the Bensenville-Wood Dale Food Pantry. Rick Kambic, right, is the pantry board president.
John Starks/[email protected]

Housed in a church, the pantry has been looking at the possibility of a new or second location.

“We regularly receive generous donations from grocers and other food distributors, but we do budget for important purchases, for items that are in high demand but low supply, and that does tend to happen around the holidays and beginning of the year,” Kambic said.

Over the years (2018-2023), the railroad has contributed $60,000 dollars to the Bensenville-Wood Dale Food Pantry, including donations made during the pandemic when the Holiday Train did not operate in 2020 and 2021, the spokesperson said in a statement.

“Every year, CPKC receives numerous requests from hundreds of communities across our network for the Holiday Train. The route and stops change from year to year to accommodate as many locations as possible and we donate to hundreds of community food banks,” the statement read. “This year we are stopping at more than 160 communities across the North American network, including two stops in the Chicago suburbs.”

The train, for instance, is scheduled to stop in Franklin Park on Nov. 26 in support of the Leyden Community Food Pantry.

DeSimone said the train’s arrival in Bensenville was a unique experience.

“The word ‘disappointment’ is probably a light word to use that it’s not coming to our town. But again, that’s OK. We’ll pivot … we’ll always make it better and do what’s right for the community.”

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Student-designed nutcrackers on display this weekend in Rosemont

Nikki Finke
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Student-designed nutcrackers on display this weekend in Rosemont

Maine East High School students paint one of the large toy soldiers now on display in Rosemont’s Nutcracker Wonderland.
Courtesy of Village of Rosemont

More than two dozen human-sized nutcrackers custom painted by high school students went on display Friday at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, in what is the second year of a public art project sponsored by local businesses and organizations.

“It is especially meaningful to see students from several area high schools contributing their artistic talents to this year’s Nutcracker Wonderland,” Mayor Brad Stephens said.

Each standing 6 feet tall, the 25 large toy soldiers were painted and personalized by art students from 17 Chicago schools. The list includes many from the Northwest suburbs such as Glenbrook North, Hoffman Estates, East Leyden, West Leyden, Maine East, Maine South, Maine West, Prospect and Schaumburg.

Students worked closely on designs with the Rosemont entity sponsoring each nutcracker, which was inspired by the specific organization or the holiday season in general.

A Leyden High School student works on a nutcracker in preparation for Rosemont’s Nutcracker Wonderland. The public art project is on display this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.
Courtesy of Village of Rosemont

The sponsors — ranging from entertainment district restaurants Fat Rosie’s Taco & Tequila Bar and Fogo de Chao to village government entities Allstate Arena and Rosemont Theatre — raised $20,000 for Palatine-based Salute, Inc., a nonprofit that provides financial, physical and emotional support for injured military service members, veterans and their families.

The nutcrackers will be on view in the convention center lobby through Sunday, and then inside the Rosemont Theatre on Sunday, Dec. 8, in conjunction with performances of NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet.

The student artists will be honored at a private reception at the convention center.

Last year, professional artists designed 20 nutcrackers that were displayed at the theater and entertainment district. In 2019, the village hosted an art exhibit featuring eight custom-painted, playable pianos designed by student artists.

A Maine South High School student paints a nutcracker for the public art display debuting this weekend in Rosemont.
Courtesy of Village of Rosemont

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