Briefs: Tollway lane closures
Overnight and off-peak lane closures are scheduled today, Friday and early Saturday on the Tri-State Tollway. The right northbound lane between Irving Park Road and Balmoral Avenue will close from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and Friday for electrical installation work. Check www.illinoistollway.com or call 1-800-TOLL FYI for the latest information on construction and traffic.
Not guilty plea
A Loves Park woman accused of soliciting an undercover Buffalo Grove police officer pleaded not guilty to prostitution charges Wednesday in Lake County Circuit Court. Police said Elizabeth Ann Schmidtke, 26, of 6006 Browns Parkway, posted an ad on Craigslist that appeared to offer sex in return for money. An officer called the number and said Schmidtke offered to meet him Aug. 21 at the Extended Stay America Hotel, 1525 Busch Parkway, Buffalo Grove. Once there, police said, Schmidtke offered to exchange sex for $100 and was placed under arrest. Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Ken Lorenz said Schmidtke faces up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine if convicted. Her next court date is Oct. 3.
Resource officer agreement
The Vernon Hills village board today will consider a compromise agreement to keep a school resource officer in Hawthorn Elementary District 73. The village had sought $55,000 from the district as parity with what Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128 pays. District 73 is asking for a phased-in approach in which it would pay $40,000 this school year and escalate to the same cost as District 128 in the 2009-10 school year. Last year, District 73 paid $30,000 toward the officer's salary and benefits, estimated at $72,000. The board meets at 7 p.m. at the village hall, 290 Evergreen Drive.
Car wash in Mundelein
The Mundelein Lady Mustangs Basketball Program hosts a car wash Sept. 15 at Wal-Mart in Vernon Hills, on Route 60 west of Milwaukee Avenue. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will benefit the Lady Mustangs Hoop Club.
Cedar Lake reopens
The Lake County Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that Cedar Lake and Townline roads in the village of Round Lake reopened to traffic. Traffic can now proceed west from Cedar Lake Road to Bacon Road to Townline Road, as well as south on the newly constructed section of Cedar Lake Road from Route 60 to Townline.
Be alert for scam
Mundelein police have issued a warning about driveway-sealing scam aimed at residents, particularly older people. Police reported taking several such reports in recent weeks. The suspects are described as Hispanic or European, police said. They typically approach elderly residents who are working in their yard and offer to do home repairs or driveway seal coating. After the work is done, they will ask for a large cash payment. If you've witnessed such behavior, call Investigator Paul Dempsey or Sgt. John Monahan at (847) 968-4600. If you're suspicious of someone soliciting work in your neighborhood, call 911.