STUDENTS HONORED BY LEGION
American Legion Hinsdale Post 250 has awarded the 2019 School Awards. The winners are Karen Tan and Henry Constantino from Hinsdale Middle School; Jack Bilenko and Caroline Lynch from Clarendon Hills Middle School; Speros Grapsas and Sarah Govostis from St. Isaac Jogues School; and Dalia Hayes and David Thormodsgard from Hinsdale Central High School.
The award program emphasizes and encourages the development of active citizenship in young Americans and recognizes those youth deemed most dedicated to the high qualities of citizenship and true Americanism.
MAZZOCHI NAMED TO TASK FORCE
State Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-47, Elmhurst) has been appointed to serve on the newly-created Property Tax Relief Task Force, which is responsible for proposing solutions to achieve meaningful property tax relief for suburban homeowners. House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-82, Western Springs) appointed Mazzochi to the task force in recognition of her commitment to taxpayers.
“We all know Illinois’ property tax system is broken,” Mazzochi said. “High property taxes make it difficult for more families to achieve and maintain the dream of homeownership and make it nearly impossible for seniors on fixed incomes to afford to stay in their homes. The time for action is long overdue.
“This Property Tax Relief Task Force signals our commitment to finally come together on a bipartisan basis to reform the system,” she added. “I intend to use my appointment to the task force to offer solutions that will deliver meaningful results for local families.”
Specifically, the task force is charged with examining the root causes of high property taxes in communities across the state, assessing other states’ legislative solutions to reduce property tax burdens in the short and long term and proposing policy changes that will bring real relief to Illinois homeowners.
The task force is required to submit a report to the governor and the General Assembly with short- and long-term solutions that can take an administrative, electoral or legislative approach. The initial report will be produced within 90 days, and a final report will be due by Dec. 31.
NEW DESIGN CENTER OPENS DOORS
County Line Home Design Center at 110 S. Washington St. in downtown Hinsdale celebrated its grand opening June 22.
Since forming County Line Properties in 1991, Penny and John Bohnen have had an idea to create a “Builders Boutique” that showcases talented craftsmanship. Last October that vision became a reality when John Bohnen reached out to resources he’s known over the years.
The nondescript entrance one door south of Bohnen’s County Line Properties leads to an oasis.
“The unique physical attributes of the structure lends itself to the talented artisans inside its walls,” John Bohnen said.
The 1925 building features a charming gallery entrance leading to one-of-a-kind spaces for tenant businesses, complete with unusual sky lighting in the rear structure, which is separated by a quaint garden courtyard space. While each space is unique unto itself, Bohnen says the group’s creativity and synergy bring the concept to life.
“The space is a surprise to anyone walking in,” added Penny Bohnen. “There is a wow factor — no one expects to see the hidden garden.”
John Bohnen, a Hinsdale resident since 1947, said they are excited to bring this concept to the area.
“Original, tailor-made work will be generated out of the design center,” he said. “This is not an assemblage of a line of products or vendors.”
STUDENTS EARN THEIR DEGREES
Camille Pecken and Sydni Baluch, both of Hinsdale, were among more than 450 students who graduated from Carthage College in May 2019.
