Stebic search turns up bones

Friends of Lisa Stebic found bones police say are likely from an animal as they searched for the missing Plainfield mother Tuesday in Silver Springs State Park in Kendall County.

Some of Stebic's co-workers, acting on advice from a psychic, searched the park and another site Sunday, and returned Tuesday to the park near Yorkville.

The Lincoln Elementary School cafeteria workers called police when their search turned up bones. Kendall County Sheriff's Deputies secured the area until a Plainfield investigator and evidence technician arrived. The bones were collected and given to the Kendall County coroner, who will analyze them this morning.

Members of a local leadership club plan to soap up as many vehicles as they can this weekend to raise money -- and awareness -- for the missing mother.

Stebic, 38, has been missing since April 30. She was last seen at her Plainfield home about 6 p.m. that day. Her cell phone and credit cards have not been used since.

The Plainfield Jaycees will host a "Find Lisa" car wash from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Plainfield Automotive, at Illinois 59 and U.S. 30.

The proceeds will go to increase a reward offered by Stebic's family, established to motivate anyone with information about her disappearance to call police.

Police said Tuesday there are still no suspects in Stebic's disappearance.

The stream of tips investigators had been receiving are starting to taper off, said Police Chief Don Bennett.

"We are looking at all the aspects (of the case), whether or not it's in state or out of state, in Plainfield or out of Plainfield," Bennett said. "We don't have something specific that's leading us to one particular area or another. We're simply trying to find Lisa and are looking at all the avenues that are available to us."

Zachary Kraus, president of the Plainfield Jaycees, said a club member contacted Stebic's family about holding the event to raise money for the family's reward fund.

"It just seems like the family can use any help they can to keep the word out, keep Lisa on (people's) minds," Kraus said. "We just want to help in any possible way."

First set at $20,000, Stebic's family recently increased the reward to $50,000 and, after receiving numerous donation offers, set up an account at First National Bank in Plainfield to accept contributions.

Checks payable to "Lisa Stebic and Childrens Fund" can be mailed to First National Bank, 13600 S. Route 59, Plainfield, IL 60544. Donations can also be made through the family's Web site, www.findlisastebic.com, using PayPal.

So far, $2,300 has been added to the family's reward, said Stebic's cousin Melanie Greenberg. If the reward is not claimed, it will become a college fund for the Stebics' two children.

The Plainfield Jaycees are also planning to host a pancake breakfast July 1 to benefit the Stebic and Childrens Fund at a local location to be determined. Kraus said the club could use donations of food and utensils for the event.

Volunteers are needed for the car wash. To volunteer for either event, or for information, visit www.plainfieldjaycees.com or www.findlisastebic.com.

Anyone with information on Lisa Stebic's location is asked to call the Plainfield Police Department at (815) 267-7217 or Will County Crime Stoppers at (800) 323-6734.

Contact Janet Lundquist at (815) 729-6014 or jlundquist@scn1.com