A few pages that include illustrations of sex acts have drawn the bulk of the ire, while other students, parents and community members see the book as a vital tool for youth discovering their identity and efforts to ban it as censorship. Kucharskis negotiated plea did not include an agreement on a sentence, which will be decided at a March 6 hearing before Judge Liam Brennan. Please join the parents of [District 99] fight to keep pornography out of Downers Grove Schools, the post said. Pierret said she had been surprised by students togetherness and supportiveness so far this school year as they grappled with the return to in-person learning during the pandemic. She was 42. DOWNERS GROVE, IL Downers Grove North students and staff observed 18 seconds of silence Tuesday to remember Beth Dunlap, 17, who was hit by a car outside of the school Tuesday. Dunlap was a "fierce competitor and a strong person," Principal Janice Schwarze told the student body. "Beth will always be a part of this team," said Kate McGuire, Dunlap's club coach. District 99 Students Earn Awards at FCCLA State Competition. The storm traveled over 100 miles, via ABC 7. Pictures taken of the mats--photos Clifford said he received from Downers Grove North officials--show a caution tag on one of them stating the mat should be used for tumbling activities only and not as a "crash or landing mat. 4436 Main Street Republican Mary Miller faces ethics complaint over misuse of House resources for campaigning, by the Washington Examiner. Updated 6/23/2020 4:06 PM. "We are extremely disappointed in the sentence. Kucharski, who is out on bond, told the judge that he is residing at a sober living center and attending or chairing up to three Alcoholics Anonymous meetings a day. "As a result of the irresponsible decisions by a derelict, we have a life sentence of pain and sadness," he said. Go to this link for a PDF to order a transcript through the registrar's office. Some critics have claimed children were being exposed to homoerotic or pornographic language and images. Hank Thiele, the districts superintendent, didnt respond directly when asked whether he was alarmed that Proud Boys members and associates attended the meeting. Dunlap read a victim-impact statement to the court earlier in the afternoon. Here are some of the more than 400 bills signed into law and theres more to go: Gov. ". A jury trial is scheduled to start Jan. 4, records show. Former Gov. Before the meeting, one dad, who asked not to be named, said in an interview he had watched YouTube videos about Gender Queer and said it was sick to have the book available for high schoolers, claiming it teaches kids how to be gay. A mother said she was there to protest medical tyranny, while another parent repeated a recent talking point in the Virginia gubernatorial race that parents dont know enough about the curriculum their kids are taught. Phone: 630-795-7100 . DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. -- A girls track coach at Downers Grove South High School has been charged with paying two minors to produce child pornography, according to the U.S. attorney's office.. Casten, whos running for a third term in the 6th Congressional District, faces fellow Rep. Marie Newman and Nicor Gas operation mechanic Charles Hughes in the June 28 Democratic primary. . First published on August 13, 2022 / 10:16 AM. The crash happened shortly before 11 a.m. Feb. 19, 2019. Schranz volunteers with Youth Outlook, a suburban-based nonprofit that supports LGBTQ youth, and said she sees Gender Queer and similar books as an opportunity for a child who may be exploring or questioning [their identity] to take a look and look at more information.. Downers Grove North students Josiah Poynter (left), Lauren Pierret (middle) and Tabitha Irvin (right) were among those who spoke in favor of allowing the book Gender Queer to remain in the schools library. Amended as of January 26, 2022 Congratulations to the following students named to Downers Grove North High School's Honor Roll for first semester of the 2021-22 school year. JB Pritzker just gave $55,000 to Patrick Hynes in his bid for Lyons Township assessor. The force of the collision wedged her backpack into the front grill of Kucharskis car. Bailey is now using his momentum to help other Republicans. Meta opens Fulton Market office after more than two years of pandemic delays. DuPage County State's Attorney Joseph Kucharski, 51, was charged with one count of felony aggravated DUI and felony reckless driving in a crash that injured student Beth Dunlap, according to the. Ella Sandt, a childhood friend, said Dunlap was taken off life support Thursday night. Gwen Casten, the 17-year-old daughter of Rep. Sean Casten has died, according to a statement from his office. Having an adult man behind me saying things to me was very unnerving, she said. All District 99 Board of Education meetings are open to members of the public, and there are always equal opportunities for attendees to address the Board, he said in a statement. "Beth was a setter that led her team with phenomenal defense, a tough serve and sweet, soft setter hands.". Community activist JaMal Green joins crowded race for mayor against Lightfoot: In a 2021 tweet for which he has apologized, community activist JaMal Green declared: Lori Lightfoot is resigning tomorrow in a stunning end to her mayorship. Now, Green wants to bring an end to her mayorship by running for the office himself, for the second time, by Sun-Times Fran Spielman. Delatorre was later arrested in connection to a March dustup at an anti-Biden rally in Schaumburg. Kobabe, the author of Gender Queer, wrote in a recent Washington Post op-ed addressing the backlash that the book was originally meant for Kobabes parents and extended family to help them understand what it meant to be nonbinary. The school was established in 1928. He said he asks Beth every day to help him help other people. August 13, 2022 / 10:16 AM Other Proud Boys have since been ensnared in the sprawling federal investigation into the insurrection and its planning. Donahoe said police found Xanax, a medicine used to treat anxiety and depression, along with liquor and crack cocaine in the hotel room where Kucharski had been staying. Delatorre, 34, of Chicago, was previously seen outside the U.S. Capitol as rioters stormed the building Jan. 6. There shouldnt be just one side fighting for it.. Anthony Pascente has been appointed by Gov. More such items were found when they searched his hotel room. In the IL-17 Democratic primary, former state. Groans and shouts also came when people realized an American flag wasnt on display for the Pledge of Allegiance. Not having this provision in there wasnt a threat to public safety. Please DO NOT order through parchment.com. But later that day he told police he was driving 40 to 45 mph. Their presence at the meeting where students said the men jeered at them, even called them pedophiles for supporting keeping the book in the library was unnerving and intimidating, they told the Sun-Times. Ad pause: Casten and Newmans campaigns have both pulled their TV ad spots. Phone: 630-795-8400 When a group of conservative Downers Grove parents organized this year to oppose mask mandates and equity initiatives at schools, it led to some tense school board meetings in the western suburb. The witness said Kucharski had been his AA sponsor. Lockers Looted, Tires Stolen: Downers Grove Crime Blotter, Seniors Earn Scholarships From Downers Grove Junior Woman's Club, ClaySpace Spring Open House: Pottery & Plant Sale, Hortons Spring Kick-Off Truckload Sale - May 6th & 7th, BOUNDLESS with Chicago Sinfonietta Orchestra, Sip & Shop Mother's Day Market @ Noon Whistle Naperville, Morton Arboretum Photographic Society Nature Photography Exhibit. Republicans in legislative races are asking for Baileys endorsement, too. 7:30 AM One of those students, Josiah Poynter, an 18-year-old senior at Downers North, told the Sun-Times that after he addressed the board, a man in the audience repeatedly told him, Youre a pedophile. Even the students whose parents are part of Wake Up D99, they didnt really make it a big deal or a big issue, Pierret said. Lauren Pierret, a senior at Downers Grove North, said it made me very uncomfortable that there were men in the back yelling things out for no reason when she and her friends addressed the board. The opposition has turned school boards into battlegrounds for social fallout, from books to COVID-19 protocols such as masking and vaccination, to more recently mental and emotional health programs. "Do what feels right," the principal told the students. Students new to North High School may berequired to take an English and Math Assessment Test prior to the registration appointment with his or her counselor. "Your team will always have your back. ", Reckless Homicide Charges For Man In Death Of Downers Grove Girl, Memorial for Downers Grove North Student Moved From Crosswalk, Felony Charges For Driver Accused Of Hitting DGN Student With Car, Downers Grove North Student Struck By Car While Crossing Street. The Army is not a defendant in the lawsuit, and attorneys for the Heberts said they did not plan to sue the Army or the federal government. - The problem is this is liberal code for teaching children how to perform oral sex, anal sex, wear strap-on dildos, he said. Serve Your Community in a Uniformed Service, Downers Grove Area: 4 Newest Houses To Hit The Market. These graphic images are totally unacceptable regardless of their gender or sexuality. This incident is under investigation by the Elmhurst Police Department and DuPage County Coroner's Office. But administrators will review the book once again since two formal challenges have been filed, he said. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Elmhurst Police at 630-530-3050. He faces three to 14 years in prison if convicted. It is the parent/guardian responsibility to collect transfer documents from the students previous school. Smile a little brighter at those you dont know. One expert offers tips to brew the perfect cup at home. It could feel like 109 degrees Tuesday as dangerous heat hits Chicago, forecasters say, via Sun-Times David Struett. Virginias largest school district removed Gender Queer from its high school libraries earlier this fall while it considers parents concerns, while a Florida district banned it altogether and schools in New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas and Washington are among others that have heard challenges. 4436 Main Street Downers Grove, IL 60515 Phone: 630-795-8400 Fax: 630-795-8499. About a third of the crowd held NO PORN signs and posters showing illustrations and excerpts from Gender Queer. The first grumbling came at the very start of the meeting and another few times over the next couple hours when board president Nancy Kupka repeatedly asked attendees to put on masks. "I pray to her (Beth) and I pray to God for you and your family," Kucharski said, crying, before the sentence was pronounced. They also didnt appear to wear Proud Boys regalia or clothing with the groups signature black and yellow colors. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. NW Side restaurant burglarized 4 times in 5 weeks, owners say: VIDEO, Trump team in defamation, battery trial requests mistrial, Paying more despite good credit? In the four days before the crash, Kucharski told police, he had only slept about 10 hours, Donahoe said. Kucharski eventually admitted that he had been on a four-day cocaine bender, and had taken Xanax in an attempt to calm down and get some sleep. You are required to complete all questions on the form noted with an asterisk *and provide transfer documents as noted at the beginning of the application. An article in the Downers North student newspaper, the DGN Omega, led to some student chatter about the parents attacks on board policies primarily by the conservative group Wake Up D99 as did a lawsuit over mask mandates that some parents joined against 145 Illinois school boards and Gov. DGN Spring Musical: CHICAGO -teen edition! If you have moved, please contact the registrar's office to update your address. Images of McCall were. The Casten family requests privacy, and we will be issuing no further comment during this heartbreaking time.. 630-795-8425 (P) 2. In the runup to the 2024 election, the Sun-Times, WBEZ and the Center for Effective Government at the University of Chicago will be collaborating on a project to educate our audience about the threat to our democracy and how we can form a more perfect union., Proud Boys join effort to ban Gender Queer book from school library rattling students in suburban Chicago, Culture wars explode in Chicago suburb after protesters call H.S. I went to Chris Owens on Bourbon Street to watch the game and was the only Chicago person there that night. Lissa Druss: In the tunnel of the stadium in Salt Lake City! Tabitha Irvin, a junior at Downers North, said she felt it was ironic that people wearing American flag masks, hats and shirts were at the meeting calling for a book to be banned when, in her view, the issue was about free speech. CHICAGO (CBS) -- A student at Downers Grove North High School hit by a car near the school on Tuesday will "not recover from her injuries," school . Illinois rainy day fund grows, with push expected to do more, by Bond Buyers Yvette Shields. Upon landing, realized the reality. Omari Prince: I was entering my senior year in college and decided to stay in New Orleans that year for summer school. PLEASE CONTACT THE REGISTRAR AFTER ALL DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN GATHERED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO SUBMIT DOCUMENTS. Principal Janice Schwarze sent an email to students, parents, and staff early Friday that shared the tragic news: Dunlap, a varsity volleyball athlete for Downers Grove North. Inclusion matters to young people, he told the school board. Clifford claims school officials provided the mats students tumbled onto after falling off the air-filled course. "Beth was sassy, fun, spunky, feisty, and a fierce competitor. Phone: (630) 795-8517 Email: rkonstans@csd99.org downersgrovesouthathletics.com 1436 Norfolk St Downers Grove, IL 60516-2600 COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 99. Rep. Litesa Wallace has been endorsed by Amalgamated Transit Union and the National Organization for Women PAC. Yet students at Downers North and Downers South high schools said they didnt see a big impact on their lives until the parents sought to remove a graphic novel by a nonbinary author from the school libraries over concerns it included a few sexually explicit illustrations a fight that caught the attention of the Proud Boys, a far-right gang that has recently seized on the culture wars playing out at school districts around the country. Joseph Kucharski was sentenced Wednesday to seven years in prison for the reckless homicide of Downers Grove North High School student Beth Dunlap, in which he ran her down in front of the. Yet students at Downers North and Downers South high schools said they didn't see a big impact on their lives until the parents sought to remove a graphic novel by a nonbinary author from the school libraries over concerns it included a few sexually explicit illustrations a fight that caught the attention of the Proud Boys, a far-right gang Keck said Dunlap's teammates have decided to play in a tournament this weekend, and they will do it in Beth's honor. Marshall was Plainfield North's girls head coach from 2010-2017, winning three Class 4A regional titles and a sectional title in 2015. Supreme Court 2nd District: Nancy Rotering has been endorsed by Cecile Richards, the former president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Planned Parenthood Action Fund And Elizabeth Rochford has been endorsed by Teamsters Local 916. This isnt being forced upon your kids, but it gives kids who would be interested in this story a choice to read it, she said.