The briefs
Daily Herald, ABC7 report
From far-flung suburbs to the heart of Chicago, a months-long investigation by the Daily Herald and ABC7 I-Team reveals how the watchdogs may not be catching some shoddy home construction. Many municipal inspectors are being stretched thin, increasing the chance that unsafe conditions in new homes will slip through the cracks, the research shows. How can you protect yourself? Read the special two-day series starting Thursday in the Daily Herald and watch it on ABC7 Chicago at 10 p.m. on Wednesday.
New Taste of Schaumburg
The Schaumburg Business Association's annual Expo, which will take place Wednesday, has added something new this year: the Taste of Schaumburg, which will offer free food samples from area restaurants for expo attendees. A wide array of groups that do business in Schaumburg will display and sell their wares and services and perform product demonstrations. The expo runs from 2 to 7 p.m. and the Taste of Schaumburg 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center, 1550 Thoreau Drive. Free admission. For details, call the business association at (847) 885-8800 or visit schaumburgbusiness.com.
School fundraiser today
From 4 to 8 p.m. today, the Bakers Square, 13 W. Rand Road, will host a special fundraising event where 10 percent of sales will be donated to River Trails Middle School in Mount Prospect. The event celebrates the school's recent recognition as a 2007 Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. Blue Ribbon Schools are ones that are either academically superior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement. VICORP Restaurants Inc., owner of Bakers Square and Village Inn restaurants, is hosting school fundraising events for Blue Ribbon schools in their neighborhoods. The events include a free slice of pie for students and faculty in attendance.
Voter drive in Palatine
The Palatine Township Democratic Organization will register voters Saturday at Confia Mortgage, LaRosita Plaza, 1180 E. Dundee Road in Palatine. The event is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Citizens who wish to register to vote must have two pieces of identification: a driver's license or state ID with current address or a Social Security Card, and a credit card or utility bill or other mail. The next election is Feb. 5. A citizen must be 18 years old by that date to register. Registration help for Spanish speakers will be available. For details, visit www.palatinedemocrats.com.