Aldermen to start talks for new fire, police stations
Des Plaines aldermen will finally tackle long-awaited discussions about a new police station and new fire facilities later this month.
First Ward Alderman Patricia Beauvais, who chairs the public safety committee, has called for a committee of the whole meeting on Oct. 22.
The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at city hall, 1420 Miner St.
In July, aldermen hired a firm to appraise the site that officials want to buy for a new police station.
Gibbons & Gibbons Ltd. of Chicago will appraise the Littlefuse Inc. site, 800 E. Northwest Highway.
Police say they have outgrown the 30-year-old location at 1420 Miner St., adjacent to city hall.
Plans to add fire stations also will be addressed.
City staff members have backed a five-station plan, which would add two stations and cost $17.4 million to build. The city commissioned a study in February 2006 to settle the issue.
Residents near the formerly proposed site, at Prospect Avenue and Lee Street, opposed the plans, forcing the city to withdraw its plans and hire a consultant.
In the study, consultants noted that the city needs to improve its emergency response times by building more stations since the city's divisive railroad crossings hamper travel times.
Oakton wins nursing grant: Oakton Community College has won a $125,000 grant to enhance its nursing program. Oakton accepted the Joyce Foundation and Illinois Community College Board grant. The money will pay for 18 Oakton students to become licensed practical nurses.
College officials announced the receipt of numerous other grants:
• $73,000 from the Illinois Secretary of State to bolster adult volunteer literacy;
• In partnership with Illinois State University and Northbrook-based International Center on Deafness and the Arts, Oakton won $78,000 to enhance the professional skills of teachers who work with hearing impaired students;
• Dennis Nolan, chief of public safety, received a grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health for automated external defibrillators and Leona Hoelting, emeritus program manager, received a grant from the Illinois Humanities Council for a six-week celebration of Shakespeare's King Lear.
Jotting down the family tree: Done some genealogy work but it's scattered on papers in the desk? Well, an upcoming program at the Des Plaines History Center could be what you need to get organized.
On Oct. 11, a free program will be held at 1:30 p.m. as part of its monthly Coffee Talk programs.
The presentation will feature speaker and genealogist Mike Karsen, who will explain the basics of genealogical research and offer suggestions on how to write a family history.
Beginning and experienced genealogists alike are invited to attend the presentation at the center's Visitor Center, 781 Pearson St.
No reservations are required.