North Cook News

The last seed-collection day of the year at the remnant prairie is Sunday. The Prospect Heights Natural Resources Commission (NRC) Volunteer Work Day runs 9 a.m. to noon on Nov. 8 at the remnant prairie, 1535 Abbott Drive in Wheeling. Volunteers are encouraged to wear long pants, closed-toe shoes and to dress in layers, as the forecast for Sunday is for cool, brisk weather.

Elgin Crisis Center's Winter Wear Drive seeks donations at fire stations

The Elgin Community Crisis Center’s annual Winter Wear Drive seeks new and gently used winter outerwear through Dec. 31. Elgin's fire stations are serving as collection sites, with collection boxes set up at all seven stations.

Park Ridge Public Works recycling holiday lights, extension cords

Park Ridge Public Works wants to recycle your broken string lights and damaged extension cords through its Holiday Lights Recycling Program. This free service invites residents to drop off unwanted or broken holiday-light strands and extension cords now through March 1, 2016, at the Public Works Service Center, 400 Busse Highway.

Illinois to get more than $67 million in HUD affordable-housing grants

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) said on Tuesday that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded Illinois over $67 million in grants for state and local programs to provide affordable housing and other services for those in need.

Buffalo Grove unveils 2016 draft budget

The Village of Buffalo Grove will formally present its 2016 draft budget at the Nov. 16 board meeting, but residents can review it now at www.vbg.org/530/Budget. The 2016 budget is a crucial road map for the village in the upcoming year, taking a fiscally conservative and forward-looking approach.

Illinois awarded over $48 million in HUD affordable-housing grants

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded more than $48 million in affordable-housing grants to Illinois state and local governments, U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-Dist. 14) said on Monday.

Mount Prospect 2016 Easy Park permits for Metra lots now available

The Mount Prospect 2016 Easy Park $30 monthly parking permits for Metra parking lots went on sale on Oct. 30. Metra commuter parking lots now offer the Easy Park monthly parking permits as an alternative to the current choices of paying for parking daily with cash or a parking debit card at the automated pay machine.

Hultgren fights to ensure suburban projects don't get short shrift in highway bill

U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-Dist. 14) received a commitment from Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) on Tuesday during House debate on H.R. 3763, the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015.Shuster agreed to work on directing federal transportation funds to suburban areas as the bill goes to conference to ensure a more equitable distribution of highway funds among urban, suburban and rural communities.

Mount Prospect curbside loose-leaf pickup runs through Nov. 20

Mount Prospect residents can leave loose leaves at their curbs for pickup through Nov. 20 by Public Works crews. The program is for loose leaves only. Grass clippings and other yard debris will not be picked up. Residents must rake their leaves to the pavement, 1 foot from the curb, the day before their scheduled pickup.

Wilmette Municipal Services Committee to meet on Thursday

By Ruth de Jauregui | Nov 3, 2015

The next meeting of the Municipal Services Committee of the Village of Wilmette Board of Trustees will be held on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Council Room of the Wilmette Village Hall at 1200 Wilmette Ave.

Des Plaines, Park Ridge, Niles police again launch Cops for Coats drive

By Ruth de Jauregui | Nov 3, 2015

The Des Plaines Police Department again is partnering with the Park Ridge and Niles Police Departments for the annual Cops for Coats donation drive through Nov. 11. Donations of clean, gently worn coats are being accepted 24 hours a day through Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the designated dropbox in the lobby of the Des Plaines Police Department at 1418 Miner St.

Gilmore confirmed as new U.S. marshal for Northern District of Illinois

By Ruth de Jauregui | Nov 2, 2015

U.S. Sens. Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) said late last week that the Senate has confirmed Calumet City Police Chief Edward Gilmore as the new U.S. marshal for the Northern District of Illinois. “The U.S. marshals play a critical role in the effort to protect our communities from criminal fugitives and gun violence,” Kirk said.

Durbin shepherds bills targeting heroin, prescription-opioid abuse

By Ruth de Jauregui | Oct 30, 2015

America’s war on illegal drugs and legal-drug abuse is getting a new ally in the U.S. Senate, where U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) recently co-sponsored or introduced bills aimed at ensuring addicts get the help they need.

Park Ridge Community Health Commission has five seats to fill

Park Ridge's Community Health Commission invites residents to apply to fill two expired seats and three vacant seats.The Community Health Commission's mission is to educate parents and children about drug and alcohol abuse and promote a drug-free community.

Arlington Heights, Bensenville residents attending RMU eligible for grants

Students from the Arlington Heights and Bensenville communities who attend Robert Morris University (RMU) can apply for a Community Education Grant of up to $28,500 a year toward a business administration bachelor's degree.

Kirk cheers House passage of Export-Import Bank reauthorization bill

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) released a statement after the House on Tuesday passed the Export-Import Bank Reform and Reauthorization Act, which Kirk introduced with fellow Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND).The senators' bill passed in the Senate as an amendment to the DRIVE Act in July.

Durbin, other lawmakers call out Social Security agency on same-sex couples