Briefs: Dist. 62, union reach pact

Des Plaines Elementary District 62 and its teachers union have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract. After a five-hour mediation session, the District 62 board and the Des Plaines Education Association agreed Tuesday to terms of a new contract. Officials won't release the terms until after the deal receives final approval. The union has set a meeting for Sept. 26 to present the details of the agreement to teachers. The ratification vote will be held the first week in October, officials said. On Oct. 15, the District 62 board is expected to approve the agreement.

Police seek robber

Schaumburg police continued Wednesday to search for a man who robbed another man at knifepoint outside a convenience store. Police said the victim was inside a store on the 1900 block of West Golf Road about 11:15 p.m. Monday when he saw the robber walk in. The victim told authorities that when he left the store, the man followed him, approached him from behind and pulled out a knife. Police said the robber demanded money and the victim gave him $40 in cash from his wallet. The victim was not injured. Anyone with information is asked to call Schaumburg police at (847) 882-3534.

Blues Bar opens Oct. 11

Mount Prospect trustees approved a liquor license Tuesday for Blues Bar, 2 W. Busse Ave. The property, owned by Mount Prospect dentist Errol Oztekin, is the cornerstone of the redevelopment of the village's downtown triangle area. Oztekin told the board he plans to open Oct. 11.

Billboard light rules OK'd:

Des Plaines aldermen gave final approval Monday to limiting billboard lighting and barring billboards less than 300 feet from homes. Under the new rules, lighting can spotlight billboards but spillover is limited to protect homes from the light. It also bars moving or animated billboards. Fifth Ward Alderman Carla Brookman was the lone dissenter because the city already has lighting rules for signs, which she says should be applied to billboards. While the owners of a controversial billboard near a residential area off River Road and Touhy Avenue haven't lit the billboard, the new rules will help keep residents from the nuisance of lighting. There are lights on the billboard, but they've never been used under a gentleman's agreement with the city. City officials are working with the sign owner to see if it can be relocated.

Donate books for sick kids

The deadline has been extended to submit donations for a book and movie drive to benefit the pediatric wing of St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates. The effort has been spearheaded by state Rep. Fred Crespo of Hoffman Estates. Materials can be dropped off through Oct. 15 at Crespo's district office at 1014 E. Schaumburg Road, Streamwood, as well as at Hoffman Estates village hall, 1900 Hassell Road, and at the hospital itself at 1555 Barrington Road. For details, call Crespo's office at (630) 372-3340.