Lilacia Park’s next phase, a new gas main downtown, and Halloween on Saturday

Lombard’s annual Free Fall Leaf Collection Program starts Monday, Nov. 2, and runs through Friday, Dec. 11. For those six weeks, residents can put out an unlimited number of leaves without buying yard waste stickers.

To take part, put leaves in biodegradable paper yard waste bags and set them at the curb on your regular Waste Management collection day. Only leaves are accepted through the program — bags containing other yard waste will not be picked up, and leaves placed in cans do not count.

Brush is not included. It must still be bundled with non-plastic twine and have a yard waste sticker attached for collection.

The village also encourages composting: its Compost Bin Reimbursement Program offers eligible residents up to $80 toward the purchase of a compost bin. Full leaf, yard waste, and brush guidelines are at villageoflombard.org/yardwaste.

Source: Village of Lombard

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, and early voting is already open in DuPage County. What follows is the paper’s view of the races on Lombard ballots, in the order you will find them on the ballot. It is opinion, and we label it that way. The Lilac Post is an independent local paper, not affiliated with the Village of Lombard, and these picks are the paper’s own. No campaign, party or outside group asked for them, saw them ahead of time, or paid for them.

We weigh every race the same way and in the same order. First come life and family: protecting unborn children, supporting the traditional family, and defending parents’ freedom to homeschool or to choose a private school. Next come limited government and lower taxes. When we say we endorse a candidate, we know enough about their record and stated positions on those first questions to back them with confidence. When we say we prefer a candidate, we favor them, but their public record on life and family is thin, so the pick leans on fiscal positions or party. We don’t endorse Democrats unless they are clearly pro-life, and we found none on Lombard ballots this year.

Not every race below is on every ballot, because Lombard is split among two congressional districts, several legislative districts and three County Board districts. Our voter guide, under Vote 2026 on our website, shows the exact ballot for your street address, in order, with our pick beside each race. You can print the full slate from the same page.

For U.S. Senate, we endorse Don Tracy. He says an unborn child is a developing human life, he opposes federal funding of abortion except in cases of rape, incest or the life of the mother, and he backs school choice. We want to be candid that Tracy says abortion law should be left to the states rather than set by Congress, and he has said he has no interest in legislating on same-sex marriage. Still, he is endorsed by Illinois Family Action, and the Illinois Family Institute’s guide shows him on the pro-life, pro-family side of all 11 of its federal questions. He is the clear choice in this race.

For governor and lieutenant governor, we endorse Darren Bailey and Aaron B. Del Mar. Bailey and his wife founded a Christian school, and he opposed bills that would have added state scrutiny of homeschooling families. He says he would opt Illinois into the federal scholarship program for low-income families, and he has proposed capping property-tax increases at 1%. One caveat matters to us: his 2026 campaign says it is “not seeking to legislate or restrict access to abortion in Illinois,” and Illinois Family Action lists him as recommended rather than fully endorsed. The ticket still stands far closer to our values than the alternative. Our voter guide also explains how to cast a write-in vote in this race for readers who want to.

For attorney general, we prefer Robert W. Fioretti. The Illinois Family Institute’s guide shows him opposing the assisted-suicide and abortion bills, and on the conservative side of all ten of its state questions, though the institute fills in answers for candidates who skip its survey. He is also running on cleaning up corruption. He was not on Illinois Family Action’s list, so we rate him Preferred rather than Endorsed.

For secretary of state, we endorse Diane M. Harris. She is endorsed by Illinois Family Action, and the Illinois Family Institute’s guide shows her opposing every progressive bill it asked about.

For comptroller, we prefer Bryan Drew, who is running as a fiscal watchdog. We found no public statement from him on life or family, so this is a lighter pick.

For treasurer, we endorse Max Solomon. He is pro-life from conception, backs school choice and education tax credits, and is endorsed by Illinois Family Action.

Most of Lombard votes in the 6th Congressional District, where we endorse Niki Conforti. She is endorsed by Illinois Family Action and describes herself as “proudly Pro-Life with exception (Rape, Incest and the Life of the Mother).” We would prefer no exceptions, but she is far closer to our view than the incumbent. She also opposes tax and fee hikes and wants healthier food for kids.

A few precincts in northern Lombard vote in the 3rd Congressional District, where we prefer Angel Oakley. She calls herself a moderate Republican and wants to confront the food, chemical and drug industries to make Americans healthier. She didn’t return the Illinois Family Institute survey, and we found nothing from her on abortion, family or school choice, which is why this pick is Preferred.

In the 21st State Senate District, we endorse Julie Berkowicz. She is endorsed by Illinois Family Action and wants school funding to follow each child to a public, private, charter or home school. She also supports a 1% cap on property-tax levies.

In the 23rd State Senate District, we prefer Linda Z. Polacek, a Lombard Marine Corps veteran running on tax relief, responsible budgets and ethics. We found nothing from her on life or family.

In the 42nd State House District, we endorse Stephanie W. Trussell. She is endorsed by Illinois Family Action, the Illinois Family Institute’s guide shows her on the pro-family side of all ten of its state questions, and she wants a property-tax cap.

In the 45th State House District, we endorse Gina Parrilli. She is endorsed by Illinois Family Action, the Illinois Family Institute’s guide shows her on the pro-family side of all ten of its state questions, and she is running on parents’ rights in education.

In the 46th State House District, we prefer Pedro Jovany Mendoza, who wants to end property taxes for residents over 65. He has run a quiet campaign, so this is a lighter pick.

For chair of the DuPage County Board, we prefer Gary Grasso. He would rein in county spending, give up the chair’s raise, and use surplus funds to lower property taxes. He has also floated a half-cent countywide sales tax to replace some of the county’s reliance on property taxes, and we would want to see that plan carefully before supporting it.

For sheriff, we prefer Sean T. Noonan. For county clerk, we prefer Patricia Kladis-Schiappa, and for county treasurer, we prefer Gwen Henry. Each is a Republican with little public record on the issues we weigh most, so these are lighter, party-based picks.

Your County Board race depends on where you live. In District 2, we prefer Robert “Rusty” Stevens for the full four-year term, because he says he would not add another utility or service tax and would scrutinize every county payment, and we prefer Theresa McClear for the two-year term. In District 4, we prefer Grant Eckhoff for the four-year term and Isobel Michaud for the two-year term. In District 1, we prefer Eric Poplonski for the four-year term and Paula Pezza for the two-year term. Apart from Stevens, these are party-based picks, made for the same reason as the countywide offices above.

For president of the Forest Preserve District, we prefer Carl Schultz. For forest preserve commissioner, we prefer William “Bill” Wehrle in District 2 and Carolyn Ubriaco in District 1. These, too, are party-based picks.

For regional superintendent of schools, we prefer Amber M. Quirk, the Republican incumbent, who is seeking re-election.

For the 3rd District Appellate Court seat, we prefer Jason A. Helland. The Illinois State Bar Association rates both candidates Recommended, and we lean to the Republican.

Some Lombard ballots include a 5th Subcircuit judgeship where the only candidate, a Democrat, is running unopposed. We make no endorsement there. Four circuit judges are also up for retention, and each needs 60% Yes to stay. We found no record from them on the issues we weigh, so we leave those four votes to you. The Illinois State Bar Association recommends retaining all four.

Ballots in parts of east and north Lombard carry two school questions, and we recommend a No vote on both. School District 45 is asking to raise its limiting rate by 0.2670 percentage points, a permanent increase of about $89 a year for every $100,000 of a home’s value. The district says a No vote would mean more cuts and larger classes, and we take that seriously. But this is a permanent increase on families already carrying some of the highest property taxes in the country.

High School District 88 wants to borrow $118 million over about 20 years for safety, accessibility, roofs, heating and cooling, and career-education spaces at Willowbrook and Addison Trail. The district says there is “no net tax rate increase,” because the new bonds replace referendum debt that is paid off after levy year 2026. That is true as far as it goes, but it also means a No vote lets that debt tax expire, so the high school’s share of your tax bill would go down. A Yes vote keeps it for about 20 more years.

Whatever you decide, please vote. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 3. If you vote by mail, your application has to reach the county by Oct. 29. We will be praying for Lombard, for Illinois and for our country, and for the people who will serve them after Nov. 3.

Shoppers looking for a familiar toy aisle at Yorktown Center can now find one on the lower level of the JCPenney wing. The Toys R Us store occupies about 7,500 square feet there, according to mall management and reporting from the Chicago Tribune.

The store is listed as open at 203 Yorktown Center, Space 158, with a phone number of 331-551-6114, according to the Go! Retail Group store locator that operates the locations. Hours run 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, times that may vary on holidays.

Nearly a decade after Toys R Us closed most of its Illinois stores following a 2017 bankruptcy and 2018 liquidation, the brand is expanding again. The company plans to open 120 new stand-alone stores across the country this fall, bringing the total of such locations to about 160 by the holiday season, according to statements reported by the Tribune. The Yorktown store was among those set to open at the beginning of October.

Josh Dean, general manager of Yorktown Center, told the Tribune that the mall’s leasing team had been aggressive after hearing the chain was opening locations in the area. “We think that Yorktown is a perfect location for Toys R Us. It attracts the ideal cross-section of families and toy aficionados,” he said. Dean added that the nostalgia of the brand was one reason the mall wanted it as a tenant, noting a resurgence of older brands returning to the market.

The expansion is a partnership with Go! Retail Group. Gideon Schlessinger, CEO of Go! Retail Group, said in a news release quoted by the Tribune that with 160 stores open this season there is an opportunity to bring the experience to millions of customers. Jamie Uitdenhowen, executive vice president of Toys R Us at WHP Global, which bought the company in 2021, described it as a major moment for the brand as it expands its presence.

The new Lombard location is not among those receiving a Creator Studio, dedicated spaces where influencers, creators and toy brands can make content, unveil products and host events, according to the Tribune. An existing Toys R Us at Chicago Premium Outlets in Aurora was set to get one of those spaces.

Yorktown Center, at 203 Yorktown Center, is the 1.2-million-square-foot mall that has been adding retailers and outdoor space as part of a longer redevelopment. The Square, a new outdoor gathering space with a playscape and stage, opened this summer as Phase 1 of that work, according to mall announcements. The Toys R Us opening adds a specialty toy store to a mix that already includes department stores, restaurants and entertainment such as the AMC theater.

For neighbors, the practical difference is a dedicated toy store inside the mall for the first time in years. The store’s return policy, as listed by the operator, allows returns or exchanges within 30 days if unopened and in salable condition with a receipt, for a refund to the original form of payment. Inventory may differ from what is available on toysrus.com, which is run separately.

What comes next is the holiday season. The timing of the national expansion ahead of the holidays was noted by company officials in the releases covered by the Tribune. Locally, shoppers can check the store’s hours or call the listed number for any day-of changes.

Sources: Chicago Tribune — Toys R Us makes a comeback with new store in Lombard; Yorktown Center — Toys 'R' Us makes a comeback with a new store in Lombard; Go! Retail Group — Toys R Us store locator, Yorktown Shopping Center IL

The Healthy Kids Running Series finished its fall season in Lombard on Sunday, Oct. 18, at Hoffman Park, where the fifth and final race was set for 4 p.m. for runners from preschool through eighth grade. The series gives every runner a finisher medal on the last day and awards trophies to the top overall finishers in each division.

The Lombard/Glen Ellyn series met at Hoffman Park, 2S500 Gray Avenue, on five Sundays this fall: Sept. 13, 20 and 27, Oct. 4 and Oct. 18. Each week the youngest children ran dashes of 50 or 75 yards, kindergartners and first graders ran a quarter mile, second and third graders ran a half mile, and fourth through eighth graders ran a full mile. Runners earned points each week based on where they finished, and the points added up across the series.

The series’ standings after all five races, posted early Monday, list 84 scored runners in eight divisions, with girls and boys racing separately in kindergarten and first grade, second and third grade, fourth and fifth grade, and sixth through eighth grade. Between 68 and 76 of those runners finished each race, including 74 on the final day, and the kindergarten and first grade boys made up the biggest field, with 24 runners.

These runners finished first through third in their divisions in series points after all five races, according to the official standings. In kindergarten and first grade, E. Faulk, J. Larsen and L. Vazquez topped the girls, and C. Donakowski, S. Dirkse and C. Faulk topped the boys.

In second and third grade, I. Vasquez, R. Himmerich and L. Brodeur topped the girls, and L. Dirkse, G. Donakowski and B. Magis topped the boys. In fourth and fifth grade, S. Grant, N. Rogers and Z. Humberstone topped the girls, and J. DePrey, A. Lock and H. Smith topped the boys.

In sixth through eighth grade, E. Grant, M. Himmerich and H. Rogers topped the girls. J. Imlah and E. Johns, the two scored runners in the boys division, finished first and second.

Five division winners, E. Faulk, I. Vasquez, L. Dirkse, S. Grant and E. Grant, scored 10 points in every one of the five races and finished with 50 points apiece, the standings show.

The series also offered a Challenger Division, an adaptive 75-yard race for children with disabilities or special needs. Parents, siblings and friends could run alongside them on the course, and runners could bring their own supportive devices, such as crutches, braces or wheelchairs. Challenger runners were among those eligible for trophies on the final day.

Healthy Kids Running Series is a nonprofit based in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, that holds five-week series in communities around the country each spring and fall. A full-series registration covered a race bib each week, a runner shirt and the finisher medal, and families who wanted to try a single race could sign up on site an hour before the start.

The Lombard series is led by local community coordinators and run with help from volunteers. Its organizers offer to sign for service hours or write reference letters for high school and college students who help on race days.

Sources: Healthy Kids Running Series: Lombard/Glen Ellyn; RunSignup: Healthy Kids Running Series Fall 2026, Lombard/Glen Ellyn; Healthy Kids Running Series: Lombard/Glen Ellyn standings after all five races (PDF)