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YEAR IN REVIEW A look back at the stories that shaped an extraordinary year. Scan the QR code with the camera app on your Smartphone
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LETTER from THE PUBLISHER
A NEW DECADE This Year in Review issue is a culmination of the Hinsdale Magazine stories that highlighted 2019. Thank you to our readers who answered our surveys and voted on the articles that impacted them and the community.
Perhaps the most momentous story of the year was the community uprising against the Sterigenics plant in Willowbrook. You can read the recap on p. 44, which details the new events prior to Sterigenics eventually permanently closing its facility after months of controversy. Testing found that it was emitting a cancer-causing chemical into the air around the plant. The company, which sterilizes medical equipment, has operated in Willowbrook since 1984. It was forced to shut down operations in February after testing showed dangerous levels of ethylene oxide in the air in a radius around the plant. It was a tumultuous time when residents voted on the District 86 referendum, which prevailed in the end as a result of the efforts of the D86 Vote Yes campaign committee. Emotional and vigorous debates preceded the final vote on April 2, and Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South High Schools became the benefactors of facility improvements. You can read the reprint of the interview with D86 Vote Yes leaders Kari Galassi and Jeff Waters on p. 52. As we enter a new decade, Hinsdale Magazine begins its tenth year in publishing. 2019 saw Hinsdale Central student-athletes reach new heights as Ian Bunting (University of Michigan) and Thomas Ives (Colgate University) earned the right to try out for the Chicago Bears, while Matt Rafferty, a basketball standout
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from the Hinsdale Central class of 2015, starred at Furman University, and later signed a contract to begin his professional career with Limburg United in Belgium’s Euromillions League. A firstteam all-Southern Conference selection and NABC all-district selection, Rafferty led the Paladins to a school-record 25 wins, as Furman finished the 2018-19 season with a 25-8 overall record. The Hinsdale chapter of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago auxiliary surpassed 106 years of service, and Hinsdale Magazine was there to revisit its historic roots. It was one of many philanthropy stories we published in 2019, including Wellness House’s passing of the torch from long-time executive director and CEO Jeannie Cella to new executive director Lisa Kolavennu. As we highlight some of our favorite stories of 2019, we invite you to visit www.HinsdaleMag.com, where you can access all the articles in full length. There, you will be able to share the stories and comment on what topics were most memorable to you. Remember to subscribe and be the first to read each monthly edition. We would love to add you to our monthly newsletters. As always, thank you for reading Hinsdale Magazine each month, and we look forward to delivering the stories and events that will shape 2020.
Scott Jonlich Founder & Publisher sjonlich@hinsdalemag.com
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CONTENTS |
January 2020
10 PUBLISHER’S LETTER 20 FEATURE STORY
On the frontlines: 5G coming to Hinsdale
24 24 GIVING BACK
Gilded Affair
32 COMMUNITY SCENE
Belly Up for Brooks A Fifth Season Clarendon Hills Christmas Walk Mistletoe Medley
38 DIVEHEART IN DEPTH
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40 PEAK PERFORMANCE
Have an awesome 2020
43 YEAR IN REVIEW
A look back at 2019 Bearing down Fundamental success Mission complete Hinsdale Infant Welfare Best of Reader Favorites 2019
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Christine Trainer of Hinsdale, right, a leader of the grassroots organization Stop 5G Hinsdale & Neighbors organized a rally outside of the Verizon store in downtown Hinsdale on Nov. 1.
On the frontlines How Hinsdale became one of the primary battlegrounds for a nationwide tussle over wireless technology and local controls BY MIKE ELLIS
T
echnological enhancements are proceeding rapidly, but the latest wave of wireless technology is not being embraced with open arms by all.
Mobile fifth-generation (5G) technology is the newest advancement in wireless connectivity, which will require the construction of “small cell” wireless facilities in order to be deployed. On Dec. 6, T-Mobile unveiled the first nationwide 5G network, which, according to its website, is available in a number of places across the United States, including in some of its foremost metropolitan areas such as Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Houston, Phoenix and Dallas. T-Mobile claims that this network will allow “200 million Americans” to access 5G technology. In addition to large telecom carriers, 5G technology also has the strong backing of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
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FCC chairman Ajit Pai, who was
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appointed by President Barack Obama in May 2012, and continued in his position when President Donald Trump assumed office in January 2017, is a proponent of the new technology, and has developed a plan to ensure that the United States is at the forefront of its outgrowth. An attorney by trade, Pai has previous experience in the telecommunications industry, serving as associate general counsel for Verizon from 2001 to 2003. He also has extensive experience in Washington, functioning as counsel for the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Senate judiciary committee and the FCC. “One of the FCC’s top priorities is to ensure that the United States leads the world in wireless innovation,” Pai said in an FCC online video. ... “5G will be much faster speeds and much lower latency—that is, less lag time for the network to respond when you click on the link. In short, 5G will help enable cutting-edge applications like high-definition ‘telehealth,’ virtual reality, the internet of things and other novel ideas we can’t conceive
today.” Under Pai’s leadership, the FCC is pursuing a comprehensive strategy to “facilitate America’s superiority in 5G technology (FAST)." His strategy is predicated on three components: “Pushing more spectrum into the marketplace; “Updating infrastructure policy;” and “Modernizing outdated regulations.” “The FCC is moving forward aggressively on all fronts,” Pai said in the video. According to Pai, 5G technology will push nearly 5GHz of spectrum into the commercial marketplace, which represents “more spectrum than is currently used by all mobile broadband providers combined.” He said 5G networks will rely on “much smaller, more densely-packed infrastructure operating at lower power,” or “small cells.” “We’ve seen wireless phones morph from voice-only devices to become connected
Hinsdale Magazine | Feature Story computers over the past few years,” Pai said. “In the next few years, we’ll see even more dramatic changes and advances in technology thanks to 5G. We want the United States to be at the forefront of this innovation, and that’s why the FCC is doing everything it can to encourage 5G.” The Illinois General Assembly has done its part to facilitate the deployment of 5G locally, approving legislation in April 2018 to permit the construction of small cells. According to Western Springs village attorney Michael Jurusik, the small cell antennae or towers will be positioned at a height of roughly 35 feet on average, and separated by approximately 500 feet. Hinsdale has been selected as a pilot to roll out 5G in Illinois, along with neighboring Western Springs, as well as Naperville and Schaumburg. Hinsdale village trustee Luke Stifflear said last spring, Verizon approached the village, conveying an interest in installing from 130 to 140 5G antennae in Hinsdale. Some local residents believe that both the quality and quantity of antennae will be aesthetically displeasing, while also posing significant health risks to the general population. Stop 5G Hinsdale & Neighbors is a grassroots organization that was started to oppose the proliferation of the new wireless technology in the village and surrounding communities. Its Facebook page was launched in October 2019, and has garnered more than 1,000 followers in less than three months. The organization has hosted informational sessions at the Hinsdale Public Library and at the Thomas Ford Memorial Library in Western Springs, while also coordinating a public protest outside the Verizon store on First Street in downtown Hinsdale. “Illinois passed a law that took away our local rights to regulate the implementation of 5G,” said Christine Trainer of Hinsdale, one of the leaders of Stop 5G Hinsdale & Neighbors. “We want that law...reversed, and power [given] back to our local municipalities. We also demand a resolution that stops 5G deployment until independent scientific evidence conclusively establishes that 5G poses no harm to humans.” At its presentation at the Hinsdale Public Library on Nov. 19, Stop 5G Hinsdale & Neighbors welcomed Stifflear, who specifically addressed the aesthetics concerns and the village’s limited regulatory power over the matter.
“I’m sure you guys have thought about,
outside of your home, [if] you’ve got a 30-foot pole with a small refrigerated antenna, that does not help home values—that does not help the character of our village,” he said. “That is where the village is primarily concerned right now, and we’re going to do everything we can to make sure that any type of implementation of 5G that we’re forced to [adopt] is as aesthetically pleasing as it can [be] for the character of Hinsdale.” Stifflear said the village has adopted “very strict” aesthetic guidelines relative to 5G equipment installation, which include prohibiting the placement of antennae within 200 feet of a home, as well as stipulating that everything but the antennae must be buried underground. “We’re continually trying to upgrade those aesthetic guidelines in order to make sure it’s [the] least intrusive as possible,” he said.
If you can’t protect yourself or raise any kind of concern about health on a technology that’s going to be in your front-yard, that should be a red flag. —PAIGE GLENDINNING OF HINSDALE
According to Stifflear, the village’s hands are currently being tied by the aforementioned April 2018 act passed by the Illinois General Assembly, which stipulated that “in the public right of way, villages lose their zoning authority.” “The State of Illinois really handcuffed us, and they took away that local governing authority,” he said. “I personally think the first stage that we can change...is to go back to your state representatives and say, ‘We want to give local politicians, municipalities—give them back the right to govern their town.’ Springfield should not be governing how the Village of Hinsdale looks.” At a Western Springs village board meeting on Oct. 14, Jurusik said municipalities are further bound by the Federal Communications Act of 1934, (most recently revised in 1996,) which stipulates that neither states nor municipalities may regulate on the basis of environmental concerns, provided the carriers comply with federal environmental standards. Western Springs community development director Martin Scott, who addressed attendees at the Stop 5G Hinsdale & Neighbors informational session at the Thomas Ford Memorial Library, said the
federal and state handcuffing is “very unusual for us.” “Typically, the federal government and the state government will stay away from us when it comes to regulation, except maybe for floodplain or for certain types of very toxic pollution,” Scott said. “When it comes to zoning and the physical environment, usually, it’s left to us.” Paige Glendinning of Hinsdale, a member of the Stop 5G Hinsdale & Neighbors task force, said she believes these regulations were originally crafted with “good intentions,” but they have since been twisted to advance more nefarious ends. Stifflear also addressed the matter of Verizon’s interest in installing antennae in Hinsdale. “The way that the federal rules work for that is, once they put a formal application, we have what’s referred to as a ‘shot clock,’” he said. “It’s basically within 90 days, we have to accept or reject that application, and if we don’t act on it, it’s automatically accepted.” Stifflear said Verizon has not submitted a formal application at this time—which would be posted on the village’s website upon submission—but he fully expects to see one at some point. “We could receive an application tomorrow; it could be three to four months, five to six months,” he said. Representatives from Stop 5G Hinsdale & Neighbors also shared safety concerns relative to the new wireless technology, showing a video featuring Frank Clegg, former president of Microsoft Canada, in which he expressed his reservations. “In my career, I’ve seen the tremendous benefit that technology can provide,” Clegg said in the video. “I’ve also seen the potential harm when technology is not implemented correctly—and I believe our current implementation of wireless technology is not safe. ... The more research I do, the more experts I talk to, the more concerned I become.” According to Clegg, more than 230 scientists and researchers from 41 countries have formally written to the United Nations, their member nations and the World Health Organization, expressing their concerns regarding 5G, “especially for vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women and the environmentally-sensitive.” Moved by the presentation she witnessed at the Hinsdale library, Pam Conlon of Western Springs entreated the leaders of Stop 5G Hinsdale & Neighbors to conduct a Continued on page 22
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Hinsdale Magazine | Feature Story Local residents stand outside the Hinsdale Verizon store protesting against 5G antennae being built in Hinsdale.
Continued from page 21
similar informational session at the Thomas Ford Memorial Library on Dec. 3. “I was just appalled and shocked by all the things I learned there,” Conlon said, “and I realized that so many people had no idea about this rollout and what it means for the western suburbs.” At this meeting, Trainer said the Telecommunications Act of 1996—the act by which the federal government regulates the telecom sector—is woefully outdated, as it is based on 2G technology, which was first implemented in 1991, and includes voice-call, voicemail and text-messaging capabilities. “5G is not just an incremental uptick like 1G to 2G was,” she said. Unlike in Hinsdale, Scott explained that his village is unsure as to how many antennae to anticipate at present, describing the current situation as “fluid.” “Some providers haven’t come forward at all,” he said. “Some, we’re expecting to be represented by outside agents that will come forward.” Both Hinsdale and Western Springs have communicated the concerns of their residents to state and federal officials. On Oct. 24, Western Springs village president Alice Gallagher wrote letters to the 12 sponsors of the Illinois legislation.
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“Residents have expressed fundamental concerns with the way in which this technology may impact health and well-being, in addition to the physical installation of the equipment in our community,” Gallagher wrote in the letter. Gallagher further requested that the sponsors amend the bill, so that “municipalities have the authority to require small-cell wireless equipment be placed in our community in such a manner that maximizes safety, and minimizes the appearance of the antennae systems required to support this technology.” In November, Hinsdale village president Tom Cauley addressed similar letters to Illinois sponsors requesting the restoration of municipal controls. Cauley also requested that the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference (DMMC) adopt a position on 5G wireless technology. According to Marla Mangone of Hinsdale, a Stop 5G Hinsdale & Neighbors task force member, if the DMMC were to take a formal stance against 5G, this would enable lobbyists to descend on Springfield opposing the current of telecom lobbyists acting on behalf of the new technology. These local villages are not the only municipalities seeking to reclaim regulatory authority over small cell towers. A number of municipalities nationwide have filed a series of class-action lawsuits against the FCC for this
very purpose. The pressure being applied by local governments is beginning to garner traction at the state and federal levels as well. On Nov. 12, state Sen. Suzy Glowiak, D-Western Springs, announced that she plans to establish a task force concerning the implementation of 5G. A representative from Rep. Deanne Mazzochi’s, (R-Elmhurst,) office said they have attended both local informational sessions in Hinsdale and Western Springs, and are engaged in community concerns regarding the new wireless technology. U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski, D-Illinois, has written to Pai expressing his reservations over 5G. And U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California, has introduced legislation to restore local control over public infrastructure, which is being sponsored by fellow Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois. On a local level, Trainer posted on Facebook that the Stop 5G Hinsdale & Neighbors task force is planning a trip to Springfield in the near future. “If you can’t protect yourself or raise any kind of concern about health on a technology that’s going to be in your frontyard,” Glendinning said, “that should be a red flag.”■
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Hinsdale Magazine | Giving Back
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAROLINA MENAPACE
(From left to right) HJWC benefit underwriting chair Alexandra Santau, auction chair Petra Harris, managing chair Jennifer Graham and underwriting chair Emily Bower
Hinsdale Magazine | Giving Back
Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club
Gilded Affair BY MIKE ELLIS
T
he Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club (HJWC) is preparing to hold its annual benefit next month on Feb. 8 at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel on the Near North Side. The benefit, which functions as the signature event and fundraiser for the HJWC each year, is embracing a more formal theme this year, in conjunction with the club’s 70th anniversary. Founded in 1949, the HJWC is one of manifold organizations within the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) and Illinois Federation of Women’s Clubs (IFWC). Especially within the past decade, the club has grown tremendously, and it is now the largest IFWC member organization. “This year, we are celebrating our 70th anniversary,” benefit managing chair Jennifer Graham said, “and that’s why we’re bringing it back and making it a little more formal, a little less nightclub-y, because it’s a big anniversary, and we’d like to honor that, with the hard work that the club has done over the years.” In 2014, the HJWC took its annual benefit to Chicago for the first time, welcoming roughly 800 guests to the Skyline Loft at the Bridgeport Art Center in the neighborhood of the same name on the South Side. The club has continued to host its benefit in the city ever since, selecting a new venue each year appropriately suited to match the adopted theme. Long devoted to supporting causes impacting women and children, up until 2018, the HJWC partnered with a single beneficiary for two years, over which time it generally donated between $300,000 and $500,000 to that organization, while also lending volunteers and raising awareness on the beneficiary’s behalf. The club is now in its second year of a more diversified giving approach, awarding
grant requests to numerous non-profit organizations in the Chicago metropolitan area. Last May, the HJWC directed a record $280,000 in benefit proceeds to 18 charities, including The Community House, Wellness House, Aspire and Reclaim13. Non-profit organizations who either did not enter a request last year or asked for an amount of less than $25,000 had until Oct. 1 to submit their grant applications for the 2019-20 club season. Graham said the HJWC received approximately $1.7 million in grant requests this year, which it is currently in the process of evaluating. “We approve their application that they are allowed to be submitted to us, and then they get awarded at the end of our fiscal year, once we have final numbers,” she said.
suburban Elmwood Park. The benefit will also feature a silent auction, highlighted by a piece of jewelry donated by Tiffany & Co. “I think that’s going to be one of our bigger silent auction packages,” Graham said of the Tiffany piece. There are a total of 500 tickets available for the benefit at $185 apiece. Graham said the club is attempting to “scale back” the benefit slightly in order to “give more to the charities.” Underwriting chair Emily Bower said a number of past HJWC members have expressed interest in attending the event. “I’ve had several past presidents reach out to me saying they’re super excited to come,” Bower said.
While the funds will ultimately be awarded in May, they will all be raised through the benefit in February.
Graham said there are plans to further incorporate the 70th anniversary into the benefit.
The theme for the benefit will be “A Gilded Affair,” which Graham described as a “crossover between the Gilded [Age] and James Bond: Casino Royale.”
“I think it’s going to be an amazing night,” Bower said, “where everyone can come together—they can gamble, they can dance, they can drink, they can visit with their friends, and have a wonderful time.”
“Everything is very glitzy and very shiny and very glamorous,” she said. There will be a casino on-site in the second-story Prince of Wales room—which Graham said “lends itself very well to a casino”—sponsored by Therapeutic Health. Other event sponsors include Band & Wire, Hinsdale Dance Academy, Hinsdale Bank & Trust and Evergreen Bank. From the casino room, guests will find easy access to the ballroom, which is also located on the second floor, and will contain VIP seating.
The 2020 Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club benefit, “A Gilded Affair,” will be held from 7:30 p.m. to midnight on Feb. 8 at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel in Chicago. Tickets are available for $185 apiece, and may be purchased online at agildedaffair.givesmart.com. Sponsorship opportunities are still available, and individuals or corporations interested in sponsoring are encouraged to contact underwritinghjwc@gmail.com. For more information about the Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club, visit www.hjwc.us. ■
On the heels of a special appearance by DJ Paul DelVechhio Jr., a/k/a DJ Pauly D, at the 2019 benefit, the HJWC is continuing its theme of high-profile DJs with Joe Nardi, a/k/a NAW-T-BOY Nardi, based in west
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BELLY UP FOR BROOKS
Nearly 200 people gathered for the second annual Belly Up for Brooks to raise funds in support of the Brooks Strong Foundation on Dec. 6.
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Brooks Strong was founded in memory of Brooks Tonn, a Hinsdale youth who lost his battle with cancer in 2017.
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The foundation provides scholarships to help defray the cost of youth sports and other extracurricular activities for kids going through cancer treatment, and funds much-needed pediatric cancer research.
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4 1. Monica Rincon and Lisa Hinchman; 2. Steve and Patti Mardula, Scott Jonlich, Dr. Brian Moran and Rick Eck; 3. Colette Kinsella, Trish Kinsella, Monica Rincon, Christine Trainer, Nora Tonn, Betsy Moran, Scarlett Tonn and Hunter Tonn; 4. Lynn Ambrose, Julie Sutton, Megan Finnegan, Rob Tonn, Trish Kinsella, Sheri Davis, Nora Tonn, Pat Kinsella, Betsy Moran, Kelly Francis and Tracy Zoberis 32
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Hinsdale Magazine | Community Scene
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11 10 5. Kate Arquilla, Betsy Moran and Randy and Elizabeth Pyle; 6. Brooks Strong ornament; 7. Photograph of Brooks Tonn; 8. Colleen Allison, Maria and Tony Nasharr, Kelly O’Brien and Chris Allison; 9. Rob Tonn; 10. Trish Kinsella, Nora Tonn and Betsy Moran; 11. Mandy Connelly, Sara Whittleton, Tricia Boylan and Maureen Hamor HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com
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Hinsdale Magazine | Community Scene
A FIFTH SEASON FOR BATTEN GALA 2019 Roughly 360 guests collaborated to raise $225,000 to support the Noah's Hope-Hope 4 Bridget Foundation at "A Fifth Season," its ninth annual Batten disease fundraiser, at the Marriott Oak Brook on Nov. 9.
All proceeds from the fundraiser are directed towards advocacy and research to develop therapies to delay symptoms of CLN2 Batten disease, a rare and fatal affliction that has claimed the lives of four children in the Chicago metropolitan area in recent years. Noah and Laine VanHoutan of Downers Grove, Bridget Kennicott of Barrington and Ethan Gahlbeck of Elmhurst have all perished as a result of this disease between the ages of 10 and 12.
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There is currently no cure for Batten disease, which is likened to ALS and dementia for children. Children with the disease develop normally as toddlers, but over time, they experience intermittent seizures and loss of muscle control, depriving them of their ability to speak, walk and eat. Nicole Boice, founder of Global Genes, a leading patient advocacy organization dedicated to raising awareness of Batten disease, served as keynote speaker at A Fifth Season. Boice said the Noah's Hope-Hope 4 Bridget Foundation has made an impact in the Batten and rare disease communities, and served as a leader in guiding research, policy advocacy and family support.
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WGN Ch. 9 anchor and reporter Ben Bradley and Mike Schimmel of Downers Grove functioned as emcees of the fundraiser for the eighth consecutive year, leading the live auction and fund-the-need campaign that combined to raise more than $50,000. For more information about the Noah's Hope-Hope 4 Bridget Foundation, visit www. noahshope.com or www.hope4bridget.com.
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1. Ben Bradley and Mike Schimmel; 2. Tom and Kathy Brent; 3. A Fifth Season; 4. Dave and Sara Kennicott, and Jen and Tracy VanHoutan; 5. Sara Kennicott and Grant Severance; 6. Ellen Tombaugh, Jenn Sclabassi, Carrie Earley, Kathleen Jensen, Natasha Isenhart, Devon Allen and Kristen Venetsanopoulos
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Hinsdale Magazine | Community Scene
CLARENDON HILLS CHRISTMAS WALK Hundreds of local residents descended on downtown Clarendon Hills for the annual Christmas walk on Dec. 6.
Presented by the Clarendon Hills Chamber of Commerce, the Christmas walk is a holiday tradition, held annually the first Friday in December, and functions as an opportunity for businesses to welcome customers and display their gratitude for the support they have received throughout the year.
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Festivities commenced with the treelighting ceremony outside of village hall. The Prospect Elementary School choir performed a brief concert for a packed gallery of parents, siblings and general Christmas walk attendees in the lower level of the Clarendon Hills Public Library.
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6 1. Girl Scouts promote the Richmond Education Gardens inside of Clarendon Hills village hall; 2. Musicians perform at the Coldwell Banker office; 3. Ice sculptor; 4. Santa Claus visits with a young boy; 5. Anna from Disney's Frozen chats with a young girl; 6. The Prospect Elementary School choir performs at the Clarendon Hills Public Library HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com
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Hinsdale Magazine | Community Scene
MISTLETOE MEDLEY CHARITY BENEFIT
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Several hundred west suburban ladies attended the annual Mistletoe Medley event, benefiting the Oak Brook chapter of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago auxiliary, at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace on Dec. 3.
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The event is the largest annual fundraiser for the Oak Brook chapter, which doubles as a luncheon and fashion show. Guests browsed a sequence of several dozen boutique shopping vendors scattered across a pair of large halls, while entering a raffle with the hopes of claiming one of five $5,000 cash prizes courtesy of Joe and Nives Rizza of Oak Brook. WMAQ Ch. 5 anchor Allison Rosati returned to serve as emcee for the fashion show, which was produced by Zzazz Productions. The night before Mistletoe Medley, the Oak Brook chapter hosted a "sugar and spice" preview party, also at Drury Lane.
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For more information about the Oak Brook chapter of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago auxiliary, visit www. oakbrookchapterinfantwelfare.org.
4 1. Model in flowered-black outfit; 2. Nikki and Gianna Ricci; 3. 2019 Mistletoe Medley exhibits; 4. Diane Pesce, center, with fellow guests
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11 10 5. Betty Johnson, Pat Danly and fellow guest; 6..Bev Taylor and guest; 7. Couple in black and white; 8. Model draped in beige; 9. Models on runway; 10. Model in red coat; 11. Barb Nasharr and fellow guests
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DIVEHEART IN DEPTH
Scuba Diving Benefiting Individuals with Autism
“S
cience is increasingly supporting what we’ve known to be true for years,” said Jim Elliott, president and founder of Diveheart. The non-profit, based in Downers Grove and with chapters around the world, provides scuba-diving instruction and opportunities to children, adults and veterans with disabilities.
swim coach with the Oak Lawn Park District, and decided to give it a try.
“We’ve long seen the remarkable value that scuba-diving has on individuals with virtually every type of disability," Elliott said. "Divers who are on the autism spectrum in particular benefit from the sensory environment provided through scuba-diving.”
Amy enjoyed scuba-diving from the start.
One of Diveheart’s star divers, Amy Lippert, has enjoyed scuba-diving since she was first introduced to it in 2006. The now 26-year-old resident of Palos Heights has autism, and struggles with social skills and communication. Her parents learned about Diveheart through the special recreation
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“Scuba-diving is inherently hyperbaric; the pressure increases as you descend in the water," Elliott said. "This can be very therapeutic for individuals with autism. Furthermore, divers find that the absence of noise and stimulation underwater is soothing and peaceful. Participants value the sensory freedom.”
“She enjoys the water and is alert to people and her surroundings while she’s scubadiving,” her father Ray said. "She looks forward to going to Diveheart events, and enjoys the time with her friends and family and being part of the group.” An added benefit of scubadiving to the Lipperts is the fact that it has become an activity
in which the entire family participates together. Amy’s twin sisters Mary and Marie, each 24, began diving with Amy early on, joined shortly thereafter by her parents. Mary, Marie and Amy's mother Ruth all became open-water certified. The family now volunteers at Diveheart events, and has traveled with the organization to the Florida Keys. ■
Hinsdale Magazine | Peak Performance
HAVE AN AWESOME 2020 11 STEPS TO GUARANTEE POSITIVE CHANGE We all have good intentions this time of year. I’d like to lose 30 pounds—I’d like to get back into a size 4 dress—I’d like to increase my sales—I’d like to be nicer to my family—I’d like to eliminate worry—I’d like to play tennis again—I’d like a winter home in Marco Island. Across America, this list goes on and on and on every year at about this time. New Year’s resolutions made—New Year’s resolutions failed. Here’s how you can make them stick.
Out with the old, in with the new.
state. “I am fit at 140 pounds with 10 percent body fat.” That is an easier resolution to keep. See this in your mind and say it, as if it is so. This is one of the keys of how champions think. You can’t weigh 140 pounds in a body that sees itself as 180 pounds.
Make your resolutions measurable. I want to be happy—I want to lose weight—I want to get healthy. These are all nice thoughts, but they are only wishful thinking. A resolution that is measurable is something like, "I weigh 122 pounds by March 1, or "I play tennis competitively in a league by June 1," or "I am vice president of my company by Dec. 31."
B2A Principle™.
It’s time to bury 2019. Take down your holiday decorations. Get rid of everything that is unwanted (you’re on your own with relationships). It’s time to start fresh; it’s time to wipe your slate clean; it’s time to prune the tree. Change your “worn-out” expressions that you sprinkled in all your conversations in 2019. Forget how you used to manage your money. Clean your closets; give your “fat clothes” to Goodwill. It may be time to get a new broker, banker, accountant, dentist, physician, attorney or psychic. It may be time to re-invent you.
Reverse engineer your goals. Millions of Americans will attempt to reach their resolutions by going from A to B. However, champions first envision B; then, they reverse engineer chronologically from B back to A. This illuminates your success pathway. The champion then proceeds to literally move from A to B on a well-defined course of action, with the confidence that their resolution can and will be accomplished. If you get off track, you can now more easily find your way. Walk on your well-lit pathway from A to B, as if it’s so with extreme confidence.
Be realistic.
Place a deadline.
Make a list of things that are possible. Limit your resolutions. It’s better to change one big thing than five little ones; however, it’s okay to reach for goals that are a stretch. For example, as a 14-handicap golfer, becoming a scratch golfer within the next 12 months is more than a stretch. This is especially true if you have a full-time job and a spouse and three children at home. It’s more realistic to reduce your handicap to a 9. This is a resolution that could be possible, if it’s planned out in detail. Remember, your resolutions cannot be about something that you physically or technically cannot do.
See what you want, not what you don’t want. Avoid statements like, “I don’t want to swear anymore.” Instead, say, “I have clean speech.”
See it and say it, as if it’s so. "I am going to lose weight" is not a resolution. Act as if you have
In order to make mental, physical and technical routine changes in your life, a deadline is mandatory. This deadline of accomplishment will create stress. This stress is good, as long as it is created by you and for your benefit. Make your deadlines 12 months, six months, three months or one month. Again, make them realistic and make them definite.
Break it down. If you have an annual goal, break it down into months, weeks and days. Create an action plan, and be aware of the tactics and strategies on a daily basis. Hold yourself accountable.
Remain positive. Negative self-talk regarding your resolution will always end in failure. Avoid putting yourself down, talking about the past, comparing yourself to others, being a victim of circumstances, situations or conditions or judging yourself.
already accomplished your feat. Say what you want in a finished
Jim Fannin Columnist
Jim’s new book, The Blueprint: A Proven Plan For Successful Living is now on amazon.com. “The Jim Fannin Show” is on Apple Podcasts, Sticher Google Play and TuneIn Radio. Follow Jim Fannin on Twitter, LinkedIN, Facebook and Instagram.
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Daily dress rehearsal.
Mentally dress-rehearse the night before your next day; see what you will accomplish regarding your resolution. This day is the 90th part of your quarterly goal or the 365th part of your annual goal. One of my clients lost 67 pounds by visualizing exactly what he would eat the next day, and exactly when and what he would do for exercise. He performed this nightly dress rehearsal in a relaxed physical and mental state before he went to sleep.
Repetition, repetition, repetition. Thinking about your positive resolution will work when your thoughts are consistent. See your accomplishment in finished state just before you go to sleep at night and just as you wake up in the morning. Framing your day by “seeing it, as if it’s so” creates the repetition and persistence needed to accomplish great resolutions. If you fall off the wagon on the way to the resolution, get back up immediately. Success is getting up one more time from defeat. As your mother or father probably said, when faced with a setback, “Keep your chin up!” The above 11-step formula has worked for hundreds of professional athletes and thousands of successful business people around the world. Be mindful that you are making these resolutions for your best friend—you. Treat yourself like a champion, and the resolutions will become routine. Now that you are armed with this 11-step program, remember: Good fortune favors the bold. Be bold with what you want, and have a simple, balanced and abundant 2020. Last but not least, add “being more kind” to your list. America needs it, and so does your community, business, family and of course, you. Happy New Year! ■
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YEAR IN REVIEW A look back at the stories that shaped an extraordinary year.
Hinsdale Magazine | Year in Review
A look back at 2019
D86 referendum, Sterigenics dominate local headlines in 2019 44
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BY MIKE ELLIS PHOTOGRAPHY BY COURTNEY HUTH, DANIEL GARCIA, DICK MORTON AND MARCELLO RODARTE
F
or all of the events and happenings that transpired in the western suburbs last year, in the greater Hinsdale area, the year 2019 will always be remembered for two issues that captivated the community: the District 86 facilities referendum and the closure and subsequent departure of Sterigenics from Willowbrook. Both of these issues carried some momentum into 2019, as community members collaborated to advocate for facilities improvements at Hinsdale Central and South High Schools on the heels of a failed referendum in November 2018, while others called for the shutdown of Sterigenics after a federal EPA report concluded that the company was emitting ethylene oxide gas into the atmosphere at levels “carcinogenic to humans.” As the District 86 facilities referendum question was placed on the April ballot, many local residents were stunned when the board of education opted to terminate dozens of sports and extracurricular activities at both high schools, including football, wrestling and swimming. The effort to pass the referendum was fueled by the D86 Vote Yes campaign, spearheaded by Hinsdale neighbors Kari Galassi and Jeff Waters. Drivers who passed through Hinsdale and Clarendon Hills in late winter and early spring immediately observed “yes” signs in all directions, as referendum supporters displayed unity behind the measure.
ANTI-STERIGENICS ACTIVISTS DEMONSTRATED OUTSIDE OF ASHTON PLACE IN WILLOWBROOK PRIOR TO AN ILLINOIS EPA PUBLIC HEARING THIS SUMMER.
In the February and March issues of Hinsdale Magazine, we published a two-part interview with then District 86 superintendent Dr. Bruce Law, which covered the referendum in detail. In early April, after months of contentious campaign literature and social media interactions, the referendum passed by a strong margin, fueled particularly by voters in the Central attendance area, who overwhelmingly turned out in support of the measure. Continued on the next page
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Hinsdale Magazine | Year in Review
The board is currently in the process of undertaking various facilities improvements that were contemplated in the referendum. While some residents were thoroughly engaged on both sides of the referendum question, others devoted equal energy to the “stop Sterigenics” movement. Unlike the referendum, which was confined to District 86 communities, this movement encompassed other neighboring municipalities as well, including Western Springs and La Grange. THE HINSDALE JUNIOR WOMAN'S CLUB RAISED NEARLY $300,000 FOR MORE THAN 20 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH ITS ANNUAL BENEFIT, "OUTSIDE YOUR ELEMENT," IN MARCH.
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After hundreds of community members and a number of local politicians joined in a call for action, the State of Illinois and DuPage County issued a seal order shutting down Sterigenics’ Willowbrook facilities in February. The Illinois General Assembly subsequently approved the Matt Haller act in summer,
enacting the firmest regulations of any state in the nation relative to ethylene oxide emissions. But while the Haller act was pending in Springfield, a legal contest was waging in Wheaton, as Sterigenics sought to get the seal order lifted to resume operations. The embattled company developed a consent order with state and county attorneys, which the judge approved, notwithstanding the vigorous pleas of the municipalities that were permitted to intervene and make their case that said order did not comply with the provisions of the Haller act. Following the ruling, local and state elected officials refused to lay down their proverbial arms, and in early September, Sterigenics announced its departure from Willowbrook.
The last year of the 2010s featured a
WELLNESS HOUSE RAISED A RECORDSETTING AMOUNT EXCEEDING $1 MILLION AT ITS ANNUAL BALL IN OCTOBER. IN 2019, LONGTIME CEO JEANNIE CELLA, LEFT, PASSED THE BATON TO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LISA KOLAVENNU, RIGHT.
number of noteworthy accomplishments for local organizations as well. Wellness House raised more than $1 million through its annual ball in October, while the Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club set a fundraising record of $285,000 for a single club year. And the Mend A Heart Foundation eclipsed the $1 million mark in aggregate fundraising since its inception above a decade ago for children suffering from congenital heart defects. Other local fundraisers of note included Tablescapes, benefiting the Hinsdale chapter of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago auxiliary, “Light Up the Night,” supporting the Clarendon Hills Infant Welfare chapter, and Derby Day, benefiting the Hinsdale auxiliary of Children’s Home + Aid. The Hinsdale Cooks! Kitchen Walk, a Mother’s Day weekend tradition and the leading annual fundraiser for the Hinsdale Historical Society, featured a record seven homes this past May. The Sixth Street home formerly owned by Bill and Giuliana Rancic
during their residence in Hinsdale was among the highlights of the walk, exuding decadence and regality for the hundreds of guests who passed through. In local sports, Hinsdale Central boys tennis added to its record total of state championships in the spring, and Central football recorded an eight-win season that was ultimately derailed by Bolingbrook in the first round of the IHSA class 8A playoffs. As we look ahead to our second decade of publishing, a host of other local issues are already emerging prominently, including the ongoing 5G wireless controversy, science sequencing changes in District 86 and the question of what the future holds for the pedestrian bridge over the Tri-State Tollway connecting Hinsdale and Western Springs. Whatever the local issues and stories that manifest, Hinsdale Magazine will continue to provide our readers with detailed and balanced accounts in the decade ahead.
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Hinsdale Magazine | Year in Review
BEARING down Two Hinsdale Central alumni try out with the Chicago Bears BY MIKE ELLIS | PHOTOGRAPH BY JOY IVES
This article originally appeared in our June 2019 issue.
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Ian Bunting (Hinsdale Central class of 2014) and Thomas Ives (class of 2015)
pair of Hinsdale Central alumni are auditioning for the opportunity of a lifetime: to earn a spot on the Chicago Bears roster. Tight end Ian Bunting (class of 2014) and wide receiver Thomas Ives (class of 2015) have followed different journeys, and yet have arrived at the same destination— Bears rookie mini-camp, at which they are competing with fellow rookies pursuing the dream of playing in the NFL. Before high school, Bunting primarily concentrated on basketball, only playing football for one year in sixth grade. “I had always been a basketball player growing up,” he said. But at Central, Bunting’s football future began to blossom, as his height—6-feet, 6-and-a-half inches—was ideal for playing receiver and then tight end. “As I developed, I definitely realized I was better at football than I was at basketball,” he said. “I sort of played basketball like a football player.” Bunting credited coaches Pat Richards, Bill Duffy, Alex Perkowski, Nick Gebhardt and now head coach Brian Griffin for their role in his development. “I enjoyed my time playing at Hinsdale Central,” he said. “I loved playing there with all the kids that I grew up with; it was a blast. I definitely learned a lot from the coaches there.” Bunting also recalled his varsity basketball experience fondly, complimenting head coach Nick Latorre and assistant coach Lee Maciejewski for teaching him “a lot about how to be successful in sports and in life.” After graduating from Central in
2014, Bunting proceeded to the University of Michigan, where “I’ve always wanted to be a Bear,” Ives said. he started under head coach Brady Hoke in his freshman year, In addition to the 22 undrafted rookies, the rookie minibefore the flamboyant and enigmatic Jim Harbaugh assumed the camp consists of the Bears draft picks, as well as various athletes reins for his last three seasons. who were awarded a tryout with the team. Bunting opted to red-shirt as a freshman, as his father was “It was really good competition,” Bunting said. “The coaches diagnosed with brain cancer and died during that year. were all there coaching us up. ... Everything there was first-class.” While the experience was a painful one for Bunting to Shortly after arriving at camp, participants were invited to endure at such a young age, he said it was profoundly influential, a dinner featuring Bears alumni such as Matt Forte, Charles encouraging him to reevaluate what is important in life. Tillman, Alex Brown and Israel Idonije, all of whom were part of Bunting said his role in Harbaugh’s offense was predominantly the squads Ives and Bunting rooted for as kids. blocking, and after graduating from Michigan in 2018, he elected “That was cool to see those guys, and get to talk to them and to play one final season at the University of California, Berkeley hear from them,” Bunting said. (Cal-Berkeley) as a graduate transfer under head coach Justin “It was just awesome to hear their stories, and how they Wilcox, which he thought would give him a better opportunity developed into professional athletes from college athletes,” Ives of showcasing his pass-catching skills. said. “I did well, and luckily did well enough From here, Bunting, Ives and their to catch the eye of some NFL scouts,” he fellow rookies will continue to compete, said. until the final roster is whittled down to 53 Unlike Bunting, Thomas Ives began his players before the start of the 2019 season football career at a young age, enrolling in in September. the Hinsdale Falcons program the first year “There’ll be a substantial amount he was eligible to do so. of cuts up until the season starts,” Bunting Ives described playing under the lights said. at Hinsdale Central’s Dickinson Field on While both Central alumni Friday nights as a “dream come true,” having followed different paths to this point, both watched his older predecessors growing up. also have slightly different outlooks on Starting out at quarterback with the their present and future. Falcons, Ives was converted to wide receiver Ives, who majored in political — THOMAS IVES during his sophomore year at Central. science, said the football program at Colgate Playing under then head coach Dan used creative development programs to help Hartman during his senior campaign, him prepare for a career beyond football. Ives said Hartman’s spread offense really But he said at the moment, his furthered his development as a receiver. focus is squarely on football. Standing 6-feet, 4-and-a-half inches, Ives joined Bunting on Bunting said his current goal is also to fulfill his dream the Hinsdale varsity basketball team as well. of playing in the NFL, but while at Michigan, he dabbled in Upon graduating from Central in 2015, Ives continued on entrepreneurship, contributing to the launching of several to Colgate University in central New York, where he played with businesses, including an athletic apparel line called Valiant and former Hinsdale teammate Max Hartzmann. an algorithmic trading company. Ives said he has enjoyed having fellow alumni Hartzmann “I’m very business-minded,” he said. “I really like working and Bunting share in his football journey. with people. I like to think of myself as a creative person.” “It was amazing how the Hinsdale Central football family was Neither Bunting nor Ives expected to be drafted, and both with me along the way,” he said. are grateful for their opportunity, and understand that earning a Ives stressed that the collegiate game involves considerably place on the 53-man roster will be difficult. more complexity and attention to detail, describing his freshman “At this point, I think my job is to take it day by day, rep by year at Colgate as a “learning experience.” rep, and try to put out the best version of myself—Ian Bunting as By his senior year, however, he said he had “put it all a football player and Ian Bunting as a person,” Bunting said. together.” Ives described the camp journey as a “long road” and a After the NFL Draft in April, the former Hinsdale teammates “grueling process.” were reunited when the hometown Bears signed them and 20 “You’ve got to bring it every day, and give it your all; and the other undrafted rookies to compete for an opportunity to earn a rest will take care of itself,” he said. ... “You really can’t go in with roster spot. any expectations, except to give it your best effort.” ■ Both Ives and Bunting grew up as Bears fans, and described going through camp with the organization as a surreal experience.
“You’ve got to bring it every day, and give it your all; and the rest will take care of itself.”
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Hinsdale Magazine | Year in Review
FUNDAMENTAL SUCCESS
Hinsdale Central alumnus Matt Rafferty on a mission to lead Furman to NCAA Tournament BY MIKE ELLIS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIEL GARCIA
This article originally appeared in our March 2019 issue. Four years ago, Matt Rafferty was dominating in the post in the West Suburban Silver for Hinsdale Central, en route to an IHSA class 4A sectional semifinal appearance. Now he is attempting to lead Furman University, a small, liberal arts school in Greenville, S.C., to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in nearly four decades. During his career at Central, the 6-foot, 8-inch forward racked up a number of records, finishing his four-year varsity career as the school’s alltime leading rebounder (975) and shot-blocker (170), while also departing with the most steals (164) in school history.
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Matt Rafferty of the Furman Paladins in action against the defending national champion Villanova Wildcats during a game in 2018. Furman defeated Villanova, 76-68. Photos by Rich Schultz
Over his four years at Hinsdale, Rafferty blossomed into an over East Tennessee State, 91-61, on Feb. 9. exceptional post player, leading the team in scoring his last three “I believe in our team more than I ever have with anybody,” years. But he was not one to control a game merely with baskets, Rafferty said. “We showed the nation what we’re about, and kind also unselfishly distributing the ball to his teammates, while of slacked off the last month; but the last four games, we got it competing hard on the glass at both ends of the floor. back.” Rafferty said hard work has always been integral to his success Wofford and UNC Greensboro currently sit atop the in basketball. Southern standings, with Furman and East Tennessee State “I think since middle school, since my dad was coaching me, jostling for third place. my dad always implemented effort and team cohesion as two of The ultimate goal for every Division I program is the the things that get wins,” he said. opportunity to compete on the biggest stage the sport offers—the At Furman, Rafferty’s development has mirrored the growth NCAA Tournament. In smaller conferences like the Southern, he achieved at Hinsdale. His first two years, Rafferty averaged generally, only one team qualifies for the tournament—its fewer than ten points per game, as his team progressed from 19 conference tournament champion. to 23 wins. Then, as a junior, he averaged 11.2 points per game, Furman has not reached the NCAA Tournament since 1980, while also grabbing more rebounds and dishing out additional and will have to win the Southern tournament in Asheville, N.C., assists. from March 8 to 11 in order to qualify. Now in his senior campaign, Rafferty Rafferty, who has lost in the is leading his team in points, rebounds, semifinals of this tournament in two “I FULLY BELIEVE IN assists, blocks and steals, thus exhibiting of his previous three seasons, said he THE TEAM. IF WE his versatility as an all-around player. anticipates Wofford, UNC Greensboro “It’s been awesome—everything a and East Tennessee State will pose the STICK TO WHAT WE’RE college basketball player wants,” he primary obstacles, but that his squad ABOUT, WHICH IS said. “The coaches are great; the team is “can’t sleep on any teams.” SHARING THE BALL, great.” “[The NCAA Tournament is] Rafferty said his game has not what we’re working towards,” he said. PLAYING TOGETHER evolved much at the collegiate level, and ... “It comes down to those three days, AND HAVING FUN credited his coaches for being “super and we’ve got to bring it. Nothing else attentive” to the details requisite to excel matters.” OUT THERE, I THINK in Division I. In order for Furman to qualify for THERE’S A GOOD “It’s obviously faster, and there’s the tournament, Rafferty said the team a lot more attention to detail that’s must continue to play within itself. CHANCE WE GO required to be successful,” he said. ... “I fully believe in the team,” he said. [TO THE NCAA “There’s very few bad players that we “If we stick to what we’re about, which TOURNAMENT].” play against. Everyone’s the best of their is sharing the ball, playing together and high school.” having fun out there, I think there’s a Like at Central, where Rafferty’s good chance we go.” —MATT RAFFERTY team made its deepest postseason run in In addition to playing basketball at 2015, Furman is enjoying its best season Furman, Rafferty has enjoyed his time since he arrived. off the court, crediting his coaches for The Paladins began the 2018-19 season 12-0, including wins helping to prepare him for success beyond basketball. over Loyola-Chicago, which reached the Final Four last season “We recruit guys that are smart and that want to be part of a and defending national champion Villanova. family, and that’s what we have here,” he said. “Going into the season, we didn’t have much expectations,” After he graduates in spring, Rafferty plans to continue his Rafferty said. “We had expectations for ourselves, but people on playing career professionally overseas, before potentially exploring the outside did not have high expectations for us. So I felt we college coaching, or applying his business degree towards a career. played freely over the first couple of months.” Rafferty attributed much of his success to his family, and The fast start elevated Furman to uncharted waters—the AP thanked Central coaches Nick Latorre and Lee Maciejewski for Top 25. The Paladins reached as high as No. 23 in the nation, preparing him for his present journey. being ranked for three consecutive weeks before suffering their “That’s where I learned to be a team player,” he said, “and I’ll first loss of the season at LSU. carry that with me for the rest of my life.” ■ Following that loss, Furman experienced a rough patch, losing four of its subsequent eight games, as it commenced play in the Southern Conference. “A little extra pressure, I think, kind of crept into our team,” Rafferty said. But over their last handful of games, the Paladins have regained their early-season form, including a convincing victory
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Hinsdale Magazine | Year in Review
Mission
COMPLETE Inside the D86 Vote Yes campaign with Hinsdale residents Kari Galassi and Jeff Waters PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCELLO RODARTE
This article originally appeared in our June 2019 issue. Following the successful passage of the District 86 facilities referendum on April 2, Hinsdale Magazine visited with Hinsdale residents Kari Galassi and Jeff Waters, who were among the most influential people in securing the passage of the ballot measure. Galassi and Waters spearheaded the D86 Vote Yes campaign, which parlayed the generous donations of hundreds of community members into a successful effort that employed television, print and online advertising, as well as traditional yard-signs across District 86. The result was a referendum that passed by about a 60 to 40 margin—among the largest for school initiatives in the Chicago metropolitan area over the past several years. 52
HinsdaleMag.com | HINSDALE MAGAZINE
TOP: D86 Vote Yes committee Angie Satori, Kara Thompson, Lana Johnson, Kari Galassi, Katie Donnelly, Joanna Williams, Jeff Waters, G’Nee Andrulis, Tracy Zander, Mary Sullivan, Courtney Huth, Vanessa Glavinskas, Joan Gundlach (not pictured Bridget Conlan); BOTTOM: Kari Galassi and Jeff Waters of Hinsdale
HINSDALE MAGAZINE: What does the passage of the referendum mean to District 86 students? KARI GALASSI: The passage means the D86 students will be able to continue going to top-rated schools. They will be able to continue participating in all the clubs, sports and activities that [have] made both schools outstanding. It means they will have all of the opportunities previous D86 [students] have been offered. JEFF WATERS: The passage of the referendum in the shortrun secures clubs, activities and sports that were formerly cut to finance the State of Illinois’ life-safety mandate. Over the long run, the referendum will provide a safe learning environment with a competitive school brought into the 21st century. HINSDALE MAGAZINE: What made you get involved with the D86 Vote Yes campaign, and can you talk about the mission? KARI GALASSI: I got involved for the November referendum when a friend (Nerida Thomas) asked if I would help fundraise for that campaign. During the process of planning that fundraiser, I learned how imperative the referendum was for the district, and became extremely passionate about it. When the referendum failed in November, the competitive side of me knew I could not let us lose again in April—especially after the cuts were announced. I was willing to put in any amount of effort to ensure we would not lose again. The mission was simple: we needed to win to save our schools. Many of the residents in the district moved here for the schools. JEFF WATERS: Kari Galassi recruited me in September as a canvasser. She galvanized a population, from high-school kids to senior citizens, to join the cause. She has an unrivaled work ethic, is more competitive than Michael Jordan, has the courage of a lion and the grace, class and civility of Jackie “O.” The referendum was first and foremost about providing safe and up-to-date facilities for all the students of District 86. It was also about protecting the esteem of a wonderful community, and preserving and enhancing real estate values throughout the entire district. It was the right thing to do. HINSDALE MAGAZINE: There has been some confusion about how the $140 million in referendum funds will be used, and what the final cost is to residents. Can you explain the challenge in getting your information to the public? KARI GALASSI: The board/district did a fantastic job of communicating what was included in the $140 million and why it was necessary. Unfortunately, the “no” campaign made every attempt to muddy the waters with false information being disseminated, both about the cost to each taxpayer and what was included in the referendum. As a prudent taxpayer, I believe strongly that every line-item of the referendum will be used for a desperate need of the schools. All of the “want” line items were eliminated. I would encourage all community members to review the D86 Web site to get a final breakdown of all the improvements and their costs. JEFF WATERS: $140 million is the referendum amount, and $208 million is the final cost, with interest. The cost per taxpayer is $50,000 to $100,000 of market value. The greatest challenge
in spreading information all across the district was educating the uninformed, and re-educating the misinformed, [to whom] the “no” side was unrelenting in their efforts. HINSDALE MAGAZINE: How important was the school board’s decision to cut sports and other programs? How do you think that affected voter decision? KARI GALASSI: The [board of education] voiced loudly for the November referendum that if it failed, they would need to make serious cuts from the operating budget to fund the mandatory life-safety items. Unfortunately, many voters thought this was a scare-tactic in November, despite the BOE and our campaign committee stating over and over it was not. When the referendum failed in November, the BOE had extremely difficult decisions to make regarding operating cuts. I believe the cuts made the community realize the dire situation the district was in. JEFF WATERS: The BOE was faced with a difficult task of cutting programs to feed the looming State of Illinois life-safety mandate. The BOE stated that while a comprehensive education was ideal, if cuts [had] to be made, they would not touch academics. Any cuts would have served as great motivation. HINSDALE MAGAZINE: What would you say to the residents who voted “no?” KARI GALASSI: We hope that once the improvements are made to our schools and our communities’ value is protected, “no” voters will realize it was an imperative investment. We hope you will appreciate why an overwhelming amount of D86 voted “yes.” JEFF WATERS: Assuming you were informed, I have to respect your “no” vote. I hope the fiscal climate in this state didn’t hold your vote hostage. You’ll reap the benefits of this referendum as D86’s schools remain competitive, and that will play out with increased property values at a minimal tax impact. HINSDALE MAGAZINE: What would you say to those who voted “yes?” KARI GALASSI: Thank you for understanding the importance of [the] referendum for our community. If your children have graduated from one of the high schools, thank you for paying it forward to future D86 students, so they can have the same opportunities that your children had. If you have current or future students, thank you for saving our schools for them. To everyone in the community, thank you for protecting our property values. I wanted to thank everyone in the community who helped us get this passed—for both the April effort and those who helped tirelessly for the November vote. The effort from so many community members was amazing and truly too many to mention without leaving someone out. But from the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who jumped into the trenches with us for this critical initiative. JEFF WATERS: Thank you for supporting the entire District 86 community! Voting “yes” for this referendum was not the acceptance of a tax increase, but rather stating a desire to make a much-needed investment in our community. Your common-sense and “yes” vote will be rewarded on many levels. ■ HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com
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INFANT WELFARE SOCIETY
HINSDALE CHAPTER Hinsdale was the first Infant Welfare Auxiliary chapter to be formed, in 1913. Together with 12 other chapters and more than 700 members, the auxiliary is the single largest contributor to the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago. BY MIKE ELLIS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCELLO RODARTE ARCHIVED PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE INFANT WELFARE SOCIETY OF CHICAGO
This article originally appeared in our March 2019 issue. From its early days as a village, Hinsdale has imbibed a charitable spirit, fueled by philanthropic ladies. Today, as the community has grown with the surrounding metropolitan area, that charitableness has roamed freely and expansively into a variety of organizations and causes, from single initiatives such as Children’s Home + Aid, HCS Family Services, the Hinsdale Historical Society Women’s Board and the Misericordia Women’s League, to organizations with a more diversified outlook like the Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club (HJWC) and the National Charity League. But no charitable cause is more firmly entrenched in the community than the Hinsdale chapter of the Infant Welfare Society (IWS) of Chicago Auxiliary. In an age more afflicted by infant mortality, IWS began in 1911 through the installation of baby stations, or milk stations, to provide healthcare services
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and health education for new mothers. These stations were staffed by area doctors and nurses, and two years after their inception, ladies from Hinsdale started to volunteer their services, organizing a group called the “Burlington station” at 20th and May Streets, near the intersection of Cermak Road and Racine Ave. in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago. A dozen years later, in 1925, the effort became more concentrated when this group was reorganized into the Hinsdale auxiliary. Consisting of ladies from Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills and Western Springs, the auxiliary was the original of a series of chapters that are now spread across Chicagoland, from Lake Forest in the north to Wheaton and Lisle/Naperville out west. In the mid-1930s, the Hinsdale Junior Infant Welfare chapter (the chapter
then consisted of “junior” and “senior” divisions) developed an annual horse show concept, which continued through 1943. The following year, the junior chapter organized a country fair at the Oak Brook Polo stables, which began a lasting partnership between the two organizations. Paul Butler, who would later found Oak Brook, donated the stables for the chapter’s use. The fair featured jeep rides, a bingo booth, vegetable contest and of course, horses. Members sold canned goods, needlework, homegrown fruits and vegetables and more, the proceeds of which were donated to the Infant Welfare Society. The junior chapter held a second country fair in September 1945, styled “do your Christmas shopping early,” which generated roughly twice the funds (Hinsdale Doings, Sept. 6, 1945).
The next year, the Hinsdale ladies revived the horse show concept, this time sponsoring the Oak Brook Polo Club’s third annual show. This event attracted participants from across Chicagoland, from Lake Forest to Geneva, featuring more than 240 horses in 1947, which competed in sundry divisions, including “hunter,” “jumper” and children’s. The Hinsdale junior chapter’s sponsorship of the show lasted four years, through 1949, but its relationship with the Oak Brook Polo Club lived on through the “turkey trot,” a cocktail dance which the ladies hosted at the club in 1954. In 1948, Clarendon Hills organized its own auxiliary chapter, and began to cultivate a separate tradition, best known today by its beautiful lanterns or luminaria, which align the rolling streets of Clarendon Hills each Christmas Eve after sundown. At one time, auxiliary archives show that Western Springs, La Grange and Riverside also had active chapters, but these have since been dissolved. In its heyday, the Hinsdale junior chapter was a very enterprising and versatile organization, and accordingly, in 1953, a year after the Hinsdale Little League (HLL) formed, it opened the “Pitchin’ Kitchen” refreshment stand at Peirce Park—which is still a fixture of the HLL program today. A Suburban Life article dated May 9, 1954 describes the role the ladies played with HLL as follows: “For 13 weeks, four days each week, members of the Infant Welfare Juniors will serve hot dogs, root beer, ice cream, candy bars and, as a special concession to doting but cold fathers of Little League players, hot coffee when the thermometer is under 70.” The 1950s were a momentous decade for the chapter, which it kicked off with a “formal supper dance” at Hinsdale Golf Club (HGC) in September 1950 to commemorate its 25th anniversary. The following spring, the junior ladies presented “SOUPCON,” a cooking revue, for roughly four weeks in April and May at the Hinsdale Theater (now Harry & Eddie’s restaurant). This one-time event
Hinsdale chapter president Catherine Ann Welch (center) with Tablescapes co-chairs Kimberly O’Gorman (left) and Lisa Haines (right)
featured demonstrations by accomplished female cooks. But the chapter’s fundraising efforts really began to take off in 1953, when it converted its annual couples’ dinner dance into the “Golden Key” ball, which derived its name from the golden key to a new Cadillac that was awarded to a single lucky winner at each ball until at least 1969. This black-tie gala was initially held at HGC, before moving to Butterfield Country Club in Oak Brook in 1962, and rotating venues from that point forward. Its signature prop was an sevenfoot golden key containing an oversized Cadillac logo. At the 1954 Golden Key ball at HGC, guest of honor Mme. Francois Briere, wife of the French consular general, selected the “prettiest hat” at the ball. That year, the junior chapter raised a then-record $8,700 for IWS, which it subsequently topped in 1956 ($9,000), and again in 1959 ($10,800). This substantial increase was fueled by the ball, which attracted more than 300 guests in only its third year.
From 1969 to 1974, the Drake Oakbrook played host to the ball, which changed its title to “Sentimental Journey” in 1973, probably due to the fact that the grand-prize Cadillac was no longer being given away. Various iterations of this annual fundraiser continued through the 1980s. At the conclusion of each chapter year in December, the ladies would host a celebratory tea that doubled as the final meeting of the year. At this tea, they would unveil their fundraising total for the year, akin to the HJWC’s “It’s a Wrap” event at the present-day. Noteworthy teas included the 20th and 30th anniversary occasions in 1945 and 1955, respectively. After 1955, there is no further record of a year-end tea, but in November of the following year, the ladies started a new event, styled “candle caper,” which was held at the home of Mrs. John Parker in Hinsdale. Featuring various table arrangements, this event may be regarded as an early precursor to Tablescapes, which now functions as the Hinsdale chapter’s annual luncheon. Continued on the next page HINSDALE MAGAZINE | HinsdaleMag.com
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Hinsdale Magazine | Year in Review Continued from the previous page
From above: Mrs. Russell G. Davis, Mrs. William L. Singer (president) and Mrs. Haakon B. Groseth, discussing plans for the Hinsdale Junior Infant Welfare Society’s 20th anniversary tea to be given in Hinsdale (c. 1945); Oak Brook Polo Club’s horse show, sponsored by the Hinsdale Junior Infant Welfare Society: club members Mrs. Nelson Brewer Jr., Mrs. Lawrence E. Johnson Jr., Mrs. Walter H. Lindsay, Mrs. Bruce Gephart, Mrs. Lewis Churbcuck and Mrs. Leslie Butler (c. 1947); New members of Hinsdale Junior Infant Welfare Society are pictured around the tea table in the home of Mrs. James Schoenberger of Hinsdale (serving tea); Mrs. Robert Kramer, Mrs. Robert Guerkink, Mrs. C.J. Reeves, Mrs. John E. Kamin, Mrs. W. Allen Johnson, Mrs. James Kraml and Mrs. Harold McNally. New members absent at the time the picture was taken are Mrs. Armen Avedisian, Mrs. Dan Anderson, Mrs. William Frymark and Mrs. James Moffatt (c. 1964-65).
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In the late 1970s, the juniors began holding a “holly house boutique,” which evolved into a holiday tea and tastings event through at least 1999. Meanwhile, in 1987, the chapter initiated a brief tradition of an annual sports-themed event that supplanted the traditional ball, which continued through the early 1990s. For the past two decades, Tablescapes, a ladies’ luncheon, has functioned as the primary fundraiser for the Hinsdale chapter. Since 1998, the chapter has invited ladies from across the western suburbs to a luncheon complete with boutique shopping, socializing and of course, the titular tablescapes, which are furnished by chapter members in advance of the event. “There’s always lots of colors and ladies and shopping,” current chapter president Catherine Ann Welch said. IWS Auxiliary president Sharon Smith, who was previously an active member of the Hinsdale chapter, and chaired the third, eleventh and twelfth vintages of Tablescapes, observed that the event has expanded in popularity through the years. “We have been doing that fundraiser for 20 years,” Smith said, “and it obviously started small, and has gained quite a following. ... That was our big fundraising event, and Hinsdale has consistently made very good money at that event to contribute to Infant Welfare.” Smith said the sustained appeal of Tablescapes has been significant for the Hinsdale chapter. “We have different themes every year that make it exciting,” she said. Unlike the HJWC and other more expansive charitable entities, the Hinsdale chapter of the IWS auxiliary consists of only about 40 members. “We typically meet in people’s homes, and that’s the way we’ve always done it,” Welch said. “It’s a very personal organization. ... We like to keep it small so it’s not too much to manage.” Accordingly, Welch said all hands are essentially on-deck for organizing a fundraiser that generally brings more than 400 women together in one space. “To put on Tablescapes, it takes
every single member,” she said. “We all serve on different committees; everyone works hard to put on this event. It’s one of the largest fundraisers out of all the auxiliaries.” Two years ago, Welch said the chapter raised a record $124,000 through Tablescapes, spurred by an attendance of 485 ladies, which nearly filled the dining room at the Hilton-Oak Brook Hills Resort. She said the chapter would be pleased to be able to donate any amount equal to or greater than $100,000 to the IWS auxiliary through Tablescapes year. Another newer feature of the Hinsdale chapter is its junior board, which consists of middle- and high-school students who are sons and daughters of chapter members. Last year, Smith said the junior board volunteered at the auxiliary’s “see Santa” party at the Angel Harvey Family Health Center in the Logan Square neighborhood in December, which IWS hosts for the children it treats at the center. As the auxiliary chapters have spread into various suburban communities, IWS has evolved as well. Previously providing medical and dental care to uninsured and underinsured women and children at its Angel Harvey center, over the past several years, Infant Welfare has extended its services to encompass adult men as well. “Prior to a few years ago, we didn’t offer services to [adult] men,” Smith said. ... “Now we treat the whole family, not just women and children. ... That part of the practice has grown very nicely over the past few years.” IWS has concurrently added a behavioral health component to its services, including through its childcentered health and advanced therapies (CHAT) program, which Smith said has been developed to treat children on the autism spectrum. “It’s nice, because it’s all in one place,” Welch said. “A lot of the families who go there, they say it’s so convenient for them—not only because they offer the sliding-scale pay, and it’s affordable for them; but it’s a high-quality care, and it’s
Guests at the Golden Key Ball, at Butterfield Country club, were the J. D. Hammetts and the Warren E. Alberts, all of Hinsdale. (c. 1962).
also all in one place,” Welch said. “They can go to the pediatrician; the new moms can go and have prenatal care.” Smith and Welch said there are social benefits of joining the Hinsdale chapter, but the primary reward is in the support members provide the clinic both through fundraising and volunteering at events such as the November coat-drive. “Just going down there and really understanding how our efforts are helping, and the support that we’re able to give and the great connection that we have with the staff at the center, I think is really, really important,” Smith said. According to Smith, last year, the nine auxiliary chapters collaborated to raise approximately $650,000 for IWS, and specifically contributed towards a dental X-ray machine for the clinic.
“We kind of take our healthcare for granted,” Welch said. “Most of us have insurance who are part of an organization. These people, it’s difficult for them to figure out the cost of healthcare and insurance. It’s nice to know that we’re supporting a place where people can get the services they need.” ■ Hinsdale Magazine would like to thank the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago for its access to the Hinsdale chapter archives, which were of invaluable service to the composing of this article. For more information about the Hinsdale chapter, visit www.hinsdaleiws.com.
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BEST OF 2019
Hinsdale Magazine | Year in Review
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From jewelers and boutiques, restaurants and more, our readers have spoken in a survey that produced thousands of votes— here are your 2019 winners! BY HINSDALE MAGAZINE STAFF
HinsdaleMag.com | HINSDALE MAGAZINE
Food & Drink ASIAN Jade Dragon, Hinsdale Nabuki, Hinsdale Wild Ginger, Hinsdale FRENCH Little Creperie, Clarendon Hills Mon Ami Gabi, Oak Brook Vie, Western Springs ITALIAN Capri Ristorante, Burr Ridge Davanti Enoteca, Western Springs Il Poggiolo Ristorante, Hinsdale Parker’s in Downers Grove has been voted the best seafood restaurant for four consecutive years in Hinsdale Magazine’s 2016-2019 reader favorites surveys. Pictured is Parker’s Salmon Veracruz.
The Best of Reader Favorites 2019 section originally appeared in our July 2019 issue.
F
rom best steakhouse to best coffee house, for the fourth consecutive year, Hinsdale Magazine’s Best of Reader Favorites results are in. For the past several months, we’ve asked the community to share its favorites for our annual “Best of Reader Favorites” in this special July issue. In 40 categories spanning dining, entertainment, retail and personal services, our readers have submitted their votes, and we congratulate this year’s nominees. HM readers, enjoy this insider’s guide to the best businesses and services the Hinsdale area has to offer. What’s the best restaurant in Hinsdale for a romantic date night? What’s the boutique you should know about? Continued on page 61
MEXICAN Cafe Salsa, Countryside Taco Grill, Westmont Uncle Julio’s, Lombard ROMANTIC Capri Ristorante, Burr Ridge Mon Ami Gabi, Oak Brook Vie, Western Springs SEAFOOD Devon Seafood & Steak, Oakbrook Terrace Parker’s, Downers Grove Seasons 52, Oak Brook STEAK Eddie Merlot’s, Burr Ridge Gibsons, Oak Brook The Capital Grille, Lombard SUSHI Dao, Burr Ridge Nabuki, Hinsdale Sushi House, Westmont IRISH PUB Ballydoyle, Downers Grove Irish Times, Brookfield Kerry Piper, Willowbrook SPORTS BAR Fuller House, Hinsdale Grill 89, Westmont York Tavern, Oak Brook BREWERY Emmett’s Brewing Co., Downers Grove Fuller House, Hinsdale Miskatonic Brewing Company, Darien
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Hinsdale Magazine | Year in Review
PHOTOGRAPH BY JIM PRISCHING
Fuller House has been voted one of the best burger restaurants for four consecutive years in Hinsdale Magazine’s Best of Reader Favorites 2016-2019 surveys.
Sweet Spots & More BAKERY Kirschbaum’s, Western Springs Kirsten’s Danish Bakery, Burr Ridge Toni Patisserie and Café, Hinsdale BREAKFAST Egg Harbor Café, Hinsdale Page’s Restaurant, Hinsdale Yia Yia’s Pancake House, Hinsdale BRUNCH Seasons 52, Oak Brook The Drake Hotel, Oak Brook Vistro, Hinsdale COFFEE HOUSE Cafe La Fortuna, Hinsdale Owl & Lark, La Grange Starbucks, Hinsdale BARBECUE Chuck’s Southern Comforts Café, Darien Q-BBQ, La Grange Uncle Bub’s BBQ, Westmont Toni Patisserie has been voted one of the best bakeries for four consecutive years in Hinsdale Magazine’s Best of Reader Favorites 2016-2019 surveys.
Continued from page 59
Which hairstylist is renowned for his blowouts? Who’s the tailor everyone trusts? The go-to florist for artful arrangements? The personal trainer who gets results? The groomer your dog will love? The dentist your kids will love?—It’s all here for you. Get a closer look at the winners on our HM+ pages at www.HinsdaleMag.com for a direct link to the Web site, and book your table or appointment to your favorites. From hair salons to day spas, dentists to doctors, jewelers to gyms, we’ve asked a variety of well-known people in the community to share their secret spots and services. Look no further than Continued on page 62
BURGER Country House, Clarendon Hills Fuller House, Hinsdale Vistro, Hinsdale ICE CREAM Andy’s Frozen Custard, Countryside Dips & Dogs, Hinsdale Oberweis, Western Springs SANDWICHES Fontano’s Subs, Hinsdale Jimmy John’s, Hinsdale Panera Bread, Hinsdale CASUAL Country House, Clarendon Hills Fuller House, Hinsdale Vistro, Hinsdale OUTDOOR DINING Gibsons, Oak Brook Palmer Place, La Grange Topaz Café, Burr Ridge PIZZA Giordano’s, Oak Brook Giuliano’s Pizza, Hinsdale Lou Malnati’s, Western Springs
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Hinsdale Magazine | Year in Review
Luxury & Style JEWELERS Bella Cosa, Willowbrook Merry Richards, Oakbrook Terrace Razny, Hinsdale SALON / SPA iDesign Salon & Blowdry Bar, Hinsdale Levato Salon & Skin Lab, Hinsdale Mario Tricoci, Oak Brook MANICURE / PEDICURE Bozena Day Spa, Countryside Magic Nails, Burr Ridge Mani & Pedi, Hinsdale LUXURY HOTEL Four Seasons, Chicago The Drake Hotel, Oak Brook The Peninsula, Chicago FITNESS CENTER Life Time Fitness, Burr Ridge Orangetheory Fitness, Willowbrook Spark Fitness, Hinsdale YOGA / PILATES CorePower Yoga, Hinsdale Life Time Fitness, Burr Ridge Plate28, Hinsdale DEPARTMENT STORE Macy’s, Oak Brook Nordstrom, Oak Brook Von Maur, Lombard MEN’S CLOTHING Jos. A. Bank, Oak Brook Men’s Wearhouse, Oakbrook Terrace Nordstrom, Oak Brook WOMEN’S BOUTIQUE Lepa Boutique, Burr Ridge Sweet William, Hinsdale Vintage Charm, Hinsdale
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Continued from page 61
Hinsdale Magazine for the inside scoop on all the best the Hinsdale area has to offer men, women, couples, families, kids and even pets. We’ve got it covered. Finally, keep the conversation going, and visit our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/ TheHinsdaleMagazine, and let us know your favorites. You can see the published list at www. HinsdaleMag.com, and tell us how this 2019 list compares with yours. We will catalogue your responses for our 2020 Best of Reader Favorites. Thank you, readers, for your valuable input this year. ■
Home & Lifestyle
PHOTOGRAPH BY JIM PRISCHING
FURNITURE / DECOR Linly Designs, Clarendon Hills Room & Board, Oak Brook Walter E. Smithe, Oak Brook
The Drake Hotel in Oak Brook has been nominated in three categories, for the third consecutive year, as best luxury hotel, banquets and brunch.
FLOORING DeSitter Flooring, La Grange Georgia Carpets, Westmont Yonan Carpet One, Downers Grove HOME IMPROVEMENT / CONTRACTOR Fuller’s Home & Hardware, Hinsdale The Home Depot LaMantia, Hinsdale FLORIST / GARDEN CENTER Jane’s Blue Iris, Hinsdale Phillip’s Flowers & Gifts, Hinsdale The English Garden, Clarendon Hills GROCERS Kramer Foods, Hinsdale Pete’s Fresh Market, Willowbrook Whole Foods, Hinsdale & Willowbrook DRY CLEANERS CD One Price Cleaners, Downers Grove Gateway Cleaners, Hinsdale Silk Road Cleaners, Hinsdale BANQUETS Ashton Place, Willowbrook The Drake Hotel, Oak Brook Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace FINANCIAL INSTITUTION BMO Harris Bank, Hinsdale Chase Bank, Hinsdale Hinsdale Bank & Trust, Hinsdale
Phillips Flowers in Hinsdale has been nominated best florist for four consecutive years.
AUTO SALES & SERVICE Fuller’s Service Center, Hinsdale McGrath Lexus, Westmont Mercedes Benz, Westmont
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