W.J. Kennedy Stories | Dupage Policy Journal

Unfounded scare over Sterigenics results in shortage of breathing tubes for children

By W.J. Kennedy | Apr 17, 2019

A medical breathing tube most suitable for children is in short supply due to the shutdown of the Sterigenics plant in Willowbrook, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said in a statement.

Sterigenics helps prevent death, not a cause of it, scientists say

By W.J. Kennedy | Apr 12, 2019

The Sterigenics plant in Willowbrook has made plenty of headlines over the detection of ethylene oxide (EtO), used by the plant to sterilize medical equipment, in local air samples. While news reports have linked exposure to the gas to a higher risk of contracting cancer, company officials and independent air quality experts have repeatedly said that the trace levels of EtO detected in the air, some of it almost certainly from vehicle exhaust and other sources, pose no health risk to area residents.

Hinsdale D86 faces possible tax cut referendum over targeted elimination of student activities

By W.J. Kennedy | Apr 11, 2019

Hinsdale Township High School District 86 could face a community push for a property tax cut referendum in the wake of the Board of Education’s elimination of activities at its two high schools, and intent to eliminate others.

Tribune reporter Hawthorne, criticized by many for his Sterigenics coverage, is up for a Lisagor award

By W.J. Kennedy | Apr 4, 2019

An air-quality expert and frequent critic of Michael Hawthorne’s reporting on the environment told DuPage Policy Journal that he wasn’t surprised the Chicago Tribune staffer was a finalist for a regional journalism award for his coverage of Sterigenics, the Willowbrook plant that uses ethylene oxide (EtO) gas to sterilize medical equipment.

Hinsdale D86 board member Kevin Camden threatens vet’s business over “Vote No” signs; police report filed against him

By W.J. Kennedy | Apr 1, 2019

A Darien Police report has been filed against Hinsdale D86 School Board Vice President Kevin Camden over a harassing call he made to the relative of a business owner who has “Vote No” referendum opposition signs in his yard.

Mayoral candidate Prendiville’s record is loaded with tax votes, missteps on the issues

By W.J. Kennedy | Mar 29, 2019

Wheaton digital town crier Gregg Slapak refers to mayoral candidate John Prendiville as “Spenderville.”

Burbs turn barbaric over proposed Hinsdale school tax hike

By W.J. Kennedy | Mar 29, 2019

Michele Irwin doesn't like it when others disagree with her. So when the 43 year-old Willowbrook divorcee saw Zach Mottl, a Burr Ridge manufacturing executive opposing a school district-promoted tax hike Irwin supports, quietly having dinner with friends at a local barbecue bar and grill Tuesday night, she simply couldn't stand it.

In tax law no-no, Burr Ridge mayoral candidate Gary Grasso received primary residence exemptions on two properties

By W.J. Kennedy | Mar 26, 2019

Property tax records show that Gary Grasso, candidate for mayor of Burr Ridge, received a primary residence tax exemption on his home in Burr Ridge and on a condo he owns in Chicago.

Zach Mottl: Hinsdale D86 spends hundreds of thousands on consultants while undercutting sports, leading to loss of popular coach

By W.J. Kennedy | Mar 21, 2019

Hinsdale Central High School’s winning football coach, Dan Hartman, is the latest casualty in District 86’s “reckless” maneuver of pinning the future of high school sports on the $140 million April 2 referendum, opposition leader Zach Mottl told the DuPage Policy Journal.

All signs point to higher taxes if Prendiville elected mayor of Wheaton

By W.J. Kennedy | Mar 18, 2019

An endorsement for Wheaton mayoral candidate John Prendiville from a local school board member is also a warning sign for taxpayers, a review of recent fiscal history in the school district shows.

Wheaton City Council candidate, Planned Parenthood supporter Bray-Parker avoids taking position on legislation legalizing abortion at any stage of pregnancy

By W.J. Kennedy | Mar 1, 2019

Wheaton City Council candidate and Glenbard North High School teacher Erica Bray-Parker is a Planned Parenthood supporter, but says she has no position on recently introduced bills in Springfield (HBs 2467 and 2495)—heralded by the nation’s top abortion provider—that virtually lift all restrictions on abortion.

Hinsdale D86 referendum supporters disrupt Burr Ridge Board meeting; police chief steps in

By W.J. Kennedy | Feb 27, 2019

Supporters of a $140 million Hinsdale D86 referendum disrupted the Burr Ridge Board meeting Monday night, accusing interim mayor Zach Mottl of constitutional violations and “scorched earth” tactics in his fight against the tax increase proposal.

Mottl: Law’s resignation 'nail in the coffin' for Hinsdale referendum

By W.J. Kennedy | Feb 20, 2019

The resignation of Superintendent Bruce Law from Hinsdale D86 is the “nail in the coffin” for the district’s “wasteful, unfair and unaffordable referendum,” Zach Mottl, leader of a grassroots movement opposed to the board's upcoming $140 million bond issue, told the DuPage Policy Journal.

Stava-Murray and Naperville councilman off to rocky start

By W.J. Kennedy | Feb 18, 2019

Naperville Councilman Kevin Coyne says he has had about enough of his hometown's state representative, Anne Stava-Murray, who is a Democrat.

News reports more of a threat to public than Sterigenics, air quality expert says

By W.J. Kennedy | Feb 11, 2019

The Chicago Tribune distorted EPA findings of ethylene oxide (EO) emissions from Sterigenics to fit a predetermined conclusion concerning the level of danger from the plant, according to Rich Trzupek, a Heartland Institute policy advisor on the environment and energy.

Zach Mottl brings pro-growth message to Burr Ridge mayor's race

By W.J. Kennedy | Feb 7, 2019

One of Zach Mottl’s top priorities as mayor of Burr Ridge would be to ensure that the village avoids the property tax death spiral afflicting many other local communities in Illinois

Hinsdale school board candidate Bakopoulos would vote to reinstate high school sports even if April referendum fails

By W.J. Kennedy | Jan 28, 2019

A candidate for the Hinsdale 86 school board said she would vote to reinstate athletic programs in Central and South high schools that were cut by the board in December even if voters reject the district’s $139.8 million bond referendum on April 2.

Stava-Murray says Naperville has 'white supremacist policies'

By W.J. Kennedy | Jan 17, 2019

Just days into her new job as a state representative, Anne Stava-Murray (D-Naperville) has managed to cause a stir among her constituents by characterizing her hometown of Naperville as having “white supremacist policies.”

Hinsdale District 86 adds new pools to April wish list, a move Mottl says almost guarantees failure

By W.J. Kennedy | Jan 14, 2019

At a special Saturday meeting, the Hinsdale District 86 Board of Education added the cost of two new swimming pools to its funding request that will be voted on in an April 2 referendum. The leader of a local taxpayers’ group said this addition would only increase the likelihood that voters will reject it.

New Hinsdale 86 referendum 'doomed' if compromise not reached, says Mottl

By W.J. Kennedy | Jan 8, 2019

A spokesperson for the Hinsdale 86 school board cited a district policy covering gifts as its reason for not considering an offer to fund the football programs at its two high schools, Central and South, and come to a compromise on a tax-increase referendum.

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