Briefs: Firefighters receive awards
Naperville's Citizens Appreciate Public Safety board is honoring five of the city's firefighter/paramedics at a dinner ceremony Friday. Chuck Gros, George Hyland Jr., Robert Edward Jones, Bill Kostelny and Amy Scheller will receive the awards that stem from resident praise. One of the recipients will also be named the department's firefighter of the year and receive the George Winckler Award. The dinner will be at 6 p.m. Friday at Meson Sabika's banquet room at 1025 Aurora Ave. Tickets for the dinner cost $35 and are still available by calling (630) 904-6241.
DeVry anniversary event
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, DeVry University's Addison Campus will host an event for alumni, employers, local educators and prospective students from 5 to 7 p.m. today in the campus commons, 1221 N. Swift Road. President Susan Friedberg will give a brief welcome at 6 p.m. Campus tours will be offered and information tables will be available. For details, call (630) 953-1300.
Police facilities get OK
Aurora aldermen on Tuesday approved three contracts totaling $4.76 million to begin work on a 200,000-square-foot parking garage and a 40,000-square-foot training and support facility for the city's new police complex at 1200 E. Indian Trail Road. The complex also includes a main headquarters facility, which will be built later. The entire project, which could be complete in late 2009 or 2010, is estimated to cost around $75 million, city leaders say.
Red light cameras on hold
A proposal to install red light enforcement cameras at 20 of Aurora's most dangerous intersections was put on hold Tuesday, with Alderman Bob O'Connor saying there were "additional matters to discuss." City leaders say the contract with Redflex Traffic Systems of Arizona has not yet been finalized. The cameras are intended to reduce the number of accidents caused by motorists who run red lights.
GAR Hall to be restored
A historic building in downtown Aurora will soon get a makeover. Aldermen on Tuesday approved spending $1.64 million to begin restoring the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall on Downer Place, a tribute to Union Civil War veterans. Work includes stabilizing the building, which is sinking into the river, and building a small addition and an elevator. The entire restoration project could cost around $3 million and will occur in phases over the next several years.
Veterans seminar
The West Chicago Veterans of Foreign Wars Leon Richardt Post 6791, 431 N. Neltnor Blvd., will host a seminar at 10:30 a.m. Saturday for military men and women who have returned from serving abroad. There will be information on resume writing, job placement, benefits, career development, and job availability. Guests include Susan Seloover from the Illinois VFW Department and Mac McKelvey of the Illinois Veterans Outreach Program. To make a reservation, call (877) 842-6258.
New park playground
The Carol Stream Park District opened a new playground at Weeks Park earlier this week. The small community park located east of Gary Avenue and north of Geneva Road is the second of three playground renovations being completed by the park district this year. The park projects were paid for by $3.4 million in bonds the park district issued in 2006.
Leaf burning still illegal
The DuPage County Economic Development and Planning Department is reminding residents that burning landscape waste such as leaves, shrubs and grass clippings in unincorporated DuPage County is prohibited. Exceptions to the ordinance include recreational burning such as barbecues and campfires. Fire pits are allowed provided only clean, dry firewood is burned. Additionally, special event bonfires may require approval from an area fire department. Open burning is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, but no less than $500.