Predatory lenders targeted

Predatory lenders targeted:

People applying for a mortgage in Illinois might get some extra protection against corrupt lenders. The Illinois House has approved legislation cracking down on brokers who provide loans to people who can't afford them and then foreclose on their property. The measure passed 70-43 on Thursday and now goes to the state Senate. State rep. Lou Lang, a Skokie Democrat, says one key safeguard requires lenders to study what the consumers can afford and then provide an appropriate mortgage. That means brokers would have to do what's best for the client -- not what's most profitable. The rules would replace a predatory lending program in Chicago that was suspended by Gov. Rod Blagojevich early this year.

Kiosks more accessible:

Travelers at Chicago's O'Hare and Midway international airports will soon see new accessible kiosks at the airports. The wheelchair-accessible kiosks include a public access videophone, which lets travelers who are deaf or have difficulty speaking or hearing place a videophone call. The kiosks also have a multilingual touch screen monitor with airport transportation information, and an overhead plasma monitor with information about the accessibility of Chicago's tourist attractions. The Chicago Department of Aviation says nine of these units will be installed at O'Hare and two more are planned for Midway. The department says they'll begin installing the kiosks in the coming months and expect to have all the units in place by early 2008.

Men allege police beatings:

A federal lawsuit filed Thursday accuses a group of police officers of attacking four men during a traffic dispute, including one who tried to stop the beatings. The excessive force complaint alleges that the men, who are all in their late 20s, did nothing to warrant the severe beatings they received at the hands of police on Jan. 7 in the city's Uptown neighborhood. Three of them eventually pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct charges to avoid jail time, according to the lawsuit. "In addition to the physical injuries they suffered, each of the plaintiffs were also emotionally traumatized by their beating and the injustice of the aftermath," the lawsuit says. The officers named in the complaint are still on the job, police spokeswoman Monique Bond said.

What a bargain:

Looking for a few summer bargains? You don't even have to leave the house to participate in Marklund's Summer Auction, a collection of gift certificates, family outings and even Cubs tickets. The bidding ends Tuesday and several items have bids that are far below the item's actual value. To check it out, go online to www.marklund.org, scroll down and click "online auction." Proceeds benefit severely disabled children and adults.

Chef demonstrations on tap:

Alain Roby, an award-winning chef and holder of two Guinness World Records, will host six 30-minute demonstrations Saturday and Sunday at the Past Basket, 200 S. Third St., Geneva. The schedules are the same both days: 11:00 a.m., raspberry summer pudding; 2 p.m., chocolate cookie crust, key lime fresh whipped cream and lime zest; 4 p.m., chocolate brownie marshmallow drinkable dessert. For more information, go online to www.pastbasket.com. To make a $10 reservation, call (630) 232-4191.

'Habitat' info session:

Habitat for Humanity Northern Fox Valley will have a homeowners information meeting at 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 408 Cedar St., St. Charles. The meeting will provide an overview of Habitat, what types of homes are built, and how to become a Habitat homeowner. Habitat for Humanity is an international organization, working in partnership with families needing assistance to purchase a home. Families are selected on the basis of need for improved housing and ability to repay an interest-free loan. Five Habitat homes will be built this year in St. Charles, Carpentersville, and Lake in the Hills. Call (847) 836-1432 or visit www.hfhnfv.org.

Horse farm needs your help:

Blazing Prairie Stars therapy farm in Maple Park will have a volunteer orientation Saturday. The farm is seeking volunteers 16 and older who have at least one year's experience with horses. Blazing Prairie Stars provides horse-assisted therapy and other programs in the natural environment for children who have disabilities. Volunteers are needed to serve as horse leaders and side-walkers during therapy sessions, and to help with grooming and tacking and other barn chores. Call Sharon or Debi at (630) 365-5550 for the time and location. Registration is required.