Downers Grove Township launched its first peer jury site at Downers Grove Village Hall on November 13, 2000. The peer jury started with forty-six trained jurors from four high schools and heard two cases that evening that were referred for Disorderly Conduct. Since the original site, two more sites have been launched over the past ten years and the current roster of sworn jurors is 168 who represent ten different public and private high schools. The peer jury can now hear up to ten new cases each month and 12 to 14 returning cases where offenders talk with jurors about what they have been learning through the peer jury process and, if complete with all consequences, are released from the program.

The peer jury program is designed to provide a meaningful and remedial method of dealing with selected juvenile (under age 18) offenders without reference to the court system. It does not determine guilt or innocence. Thus the peer jury seeks to provide an opportunity for a youth offender to account for his/her behavior to a group of his/her peers and repair the harm caused to the victim and the community. Peer Jurors seek to understand why the offender committed the offense utilizing a philosophy known as Balanced and Restorative Justice. After jurors gain an understanding of the facts of the case, the harm that was caused, the competencies of the offender and the obligations they now have to repair the harm, consequences are assigned to help him/her be accountable for his/her actions. Since launching the peer jury, over 748 cases have been heard with a 98% success rate. The success rate is the number of offenders who have not committed another offense since getting released from the peer jury program.

At the swearing in ceremony, Judge Thomas Riggs, presiding juvenile court judge of the 18th Judicial Circuit, had many words of wisdom and inspiration for the newly sworn jurors. He spoke of the “Golden Rule” that he tries to live by while hearing cases. He encouraged the jurors to not only live by that rule, but to make sure they listen carefully and consider thoughtfully, all that they hear. He told jurors that as they joined the peer jury, they too, would learn much about whom they are and the role that they play as citizens. Truer words have never been spoken.

The township is honored to provide such a program that has such a positive impact on not only all involved with it but on the community. If you have any questions about any of our programs or have any ideas for possible programs that could meet a need for many of our residents, feel free to give us a call. You can call Lori Wrzesinski, Director of Youth Services at (630) 719-6689 or Township Supervisor, Frank Wurster, at (630) 719-6611. As always, you can get information about township services and what’s happening through our website at http://www.dgtownship.com. It is an honor to serve you.

Lori Wrzesinski
Director of Youth Services
Division of Human Services
Phone: (630) 719-6689
Fax: (630) 719-6608
Email: lori.wrzesinski@dgtownship.com

Minutes – 08/05/2010

Board Meeting agendas and minutes.

Diane Konicek
Town Clerk
Email: diane.konicek@dgtownship.com
Phone: (630) 719-6613
Fax: (630) 719-6608

Dial-A-Ride is a curb-to-curb shared ride service for Township residents who are 65 or older and for qualified persons with disabilities of any age. In order to use the service, riders must have a valid RTA or ADA card. If you have either of these cards all you need to do is call the Township at (630) 719-6685 and Joan Nichols can register you over the phone. Don’t have either of those cards? That’s okay. We can help you with that and get you registered for Dial-A-Ride at the same time.

Qualified Township residents who need an RTA card may come into the Township office at 4340 Prince Street, Downers Grove and complete the appropriate application and get your picture taken (this costs $3.00). Once this is done, we can register you for our Dial-A-Ride service.

The Dial-A-Ride service is provided to and from any point within the Township of Downers Grove area. This includes to Good Samaritan Hospital. Service is provided from 8 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays. The fare is $5.00 for each one-way ride.

Persons with disabilities who are younger than 65 must submit one of the following:

• Social Security Validation. You must provide a current printout that states the words, “disabled individual”, or the letters DI after your social security number.

• Medicare Validation. You must submit two forms: (1) A copy of your Medicare card (not Medicaid), AND (2) A current Social Security Benefit Statement.

• Veterans Validation. (Please call our office at 630-719-6685 for information).

• Doctor’s Validation. You must submit two forms: (1) An application completed by your doctor (available at the Township office), AND (2) A doctor’s statement describing the nature of your disability on professional letterhead or prescription form

All applicants must have a 1-1/2″ x 1-1/2″ picture. We take pictures for $3.00.

You must also bring one of the following: Drivers license, State issued ID card, US Immigration Alien Registration card (copy of both sides) or a passport with a photo.

Once a rider is registered, reservations for general-purpose rides can be made one or two business days in advance. Rides for medical appointments can be made up to a week in advance. An escort may accompany a passenger. The escort does not have to be registered but does have to pay a separate $5.00 fare.

Division of Human Services
Phone: (630) 719-6670
Fax: (630) 719-6608

When parents experience a health crisis, their adult children are usually ready and willing to provide help. However, it is not always easy. Today’s families are often separated by distance, time and obligation. Viewers will learn about family dynamics, the difficulties some siblings experience, and how they can navigate such a group effort successfully. “At an emotional time, when a parent needs help, even the most stable families struggle with decision making. It is important that the family acts as a unit through education, assessment and resources,” says Mardy Chizek, a professional care manager and a registered nurse, with Charism Elder Living Services in Westmont.

The Vintage Times is a local cable television program shown on channels 6 and 19. This program will be shown on channel 6 during September 2010 on Mondays and Fridays at 10:30 am, and on Comcast channel 19 during October 2010 on Thursdays at 6 pm. The Vintage Times is also shown in Darien on channel 6 daily at 4 pm.

DVD copies will be available for loan at public libraries in Downers Grove, Darien and Westmont, as well as at the Township office.

The Vintage Times is produced by the Township of Downers Grove in cooperation with the Village of Downers Grove. For additional information, please contact Hanna Benioff at the Township of Downers Grove, Division of Human Services.

Hanna Benioff
Senior Services Coordinator
Division of Human Services
Downers Grove Township
Phone: (630) 719-6682
Fax: (630) 719-6608
Email: hanna.benioff@dgtownship.com

Flu vaccines will be given by Walgreens pharmacists and will cost $29.99.

The 2010-2011 vaccine provides protection against A/H1N1 (pandemic) influenza and two other influenza viruses – influenza A/H3N2 and influenza B. It will not prevent illness caused by other viruses. View the 2010-2011 Vaccine Information Sheet. Information provided by the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Vaccines are FREE for patients who have Medicare Part B. Bring your Medicare Part B card. Currently, Walgreens is able to bill certain major medical plans such as Blue Cross and Cigna.

For more information, please contact the Township office at (630) 719-6610 or email us at info@dgtownship.com.

Frank Wurster
Supervisor
Email: frank.wurster@dgtownship.com
Phone: (630) 719-6610
Fax: (630) 719-6608

Mosquito control starts at home.

• Avoid shaded areas where mosquitoes may be resting.

• If possible, schedule your activities to avoid the times when mosquitoes are most active – usually dawn and dusk.

• If you have a deck or patio, light it using General Electric yellow “Bug Lights”. These lights are not repellant, per se, but do not attract mosquitoes like other incandescent lights.

• Mosquitoes are relatively weak fliers, so placing a large fan on your deck or patio can provide an effective low-tech solution.

• Wear protective clothing such as long pants and long sleeve shirts when outdoors.

• Use insect repellents properly. DEET, Picaridin and Oil of Lemon-Eucalyptus are proven to be the most effective. Use repellents only as directed on the label.

• Check your door and window screens for holes and tears that mosquitoes can use to enter your home. Put 16 mesh screening or hardware cloth over bathroom and other vent outlets on your roof.

• Keep pools clean and chlorinated.

• Keep emergent vegetation to a minimum in ponds and streams.

• Keep ponds stocked with mosquito fish after consulting with local fish and game personnel to see if permits are needed. They are often available from your local mosquito control district. Steeply grade pond margins to prevent predators such as wading birds, raccoons, etc from eating the fish.

• Eliminate all standing water on your property. Don’t forget to remind your neighbors, too. Their mosquitoes may also be your mosquitoes.

• Dispose of any tires. Tires can breed thousands of mosquitoes.

• Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers.

• Clear roof gutters of debris.

• Clean pet water dishes regularly.

• Check and empty children’s toys.

• Repair leaky outdoor faucets.

• Change the water in bird baths and plant pots at least once a week.

• Canoes, boats, and wading pools should be turned over.

• Avoid water collecting on pool covers.

• Plug tree holes and stumps.

• Fill in or drain puddles and ruts in your yard.

• Keep shrubbery and weeds trimmed

• Even the smallest of containers that can collect water can breed hundreds to thousands of mosquitoes. They don’t need much water to lay their eggs. (bottles, buckets, overturned garbage can lids, etc.)

Remember, the best protection is prevention!
Article and image from Mosquito.org.

Minutes – 07/01/2010

Click here to see a listing of all the Board Meeting agendas and minutes.

Diane Konicek
Town Clerk
Email: diane.konicek@dgtownship.com
Phone: (630) 719-6613
Fax: (630) 719-6608

The following programs are scheduled to air on Vintage Times:

• July – Hospital Stays & Medicare: Who Pays?

• August – Explaining Health Care Reform and other Legislative Issues

• September – Caring for Elderly Parents & Sibling Relationships

• October – Help for Elderly Homeowners to Remain in their Homes – Nutrition Program and Home Maintenance program provided by the DuPage Senior Citizens Council

• November – Validation: A Communication Method for Older Person with Dementia – Jim Guzdziol, Brightstar & Jo Letwaitis, The Senior Site

• December – Help for Persons who have Cancer, and for their Families – Meredith Eng, American Cancer Society, DuPage

Hanna Benioff
Senior Services Coordinator
Division of Human Services
Phone: (630) 719-6670
Fax: (630) 719-6608
Email: hanna.benioff@dgtownship.com