North Cook News

The Village of Streamwood board and staff held a workshop recently to discuss and plan goals and objectives. The village president, trustees, directors, administrators, police and fire chiefs, and the city attorney met with Executive Corps facilitators R. Jim Young, Marijana Ignjatovic, John Mayer, David Gugel and Doug James.

Schakowsky hopes conference committee cuts DRIVE Act's 'harmful' amendments

U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Dist. 9) released a statement after she voted with a House majority to advance H.R. 22, The Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy (DRIVE) Act, to a House-Senate conference committee.

Elgin suspends Riverboat Grant program amid state budget impasse

The City of Elgin said recently that because of the ongoing state budget impasse, the Riverboat Grant program has been suspended, as the state has withheld payments from the Riverboat Fund since July 2015.

Students, city employees honored at Mount Prospect Village board meeting

The Mount Prospect Village board of trustees met on Nov. 3. Sister Cities Commission Chairman Robert Usnik presented an annual report to the board. The commission's activities included fundraisers and a self-financed trip to Sèvres, France. Representatives from Sèvres are planning a trip to the village in 2017.

Final seed-collection day of year at remnant prairie this weekend

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