Briefs: Teen driver laws explained

The Wheeling police department will be hosting a seminar at 7:30 p.m. today for parents and teen drivers to explain the new laws that will go into effect Jan. 1. The seminar is open to teenage drivers with current licenses and those expecting to get one soon. Presentations will be given by representatives from the Illinois Secretary of State, Wheeling High School driver's education department, insurance companies and the Wheeling police. The topics will include new graduated licensing, new night driving restrictions, passenger restrictions, the most common teenage driving violations, the most common causes of teenage crashes and zero tolerance laws. The meeting will be in the village hall council chambers, 255 W. Dundee Road. For more information or to register, contact Sgt. Peter Panagakis at (847) 459-2649.

Traffic cameras coming

Motorists driving through Schaumburg in a couple months could see cameras ready to catch vehicles burning through red lights. The village board Tuesday recommended the police and fire departments to go forward with plans to develop a red light camera enforcement system. The village has zeroed in on two intersections, said Village Manager Ken Fritz. The proposal now has to be finalized in committee meetings. Traffipax, based out of Maryland, will install the system. The cameras would be used only at village-owned roadways, Fritz said. Those locations have yet to be finalized. Roads under the state's jurisdiction require a permit for red-light cameras, Fritz said, while county roads don't have a process in place yet.

Here comes Santa Claus

Santa Claus will arrive at Woodfield Shopping Center in Schaumburg Thursday morning, accompanied by the Conant High School marching band. The arrival parade will begin at 11:30 a.m. from the lower level Macy's Court. Children and parents are invited to march along as the parade winds its way through every wing of the mall to the Comcast Connections Court, where patrons can walk through a giant Snow Globe through a cold winter blast and falling snow. The globe features life-size sculptures of characters from the movie "Fred Claus" and three interactive snow globes with scenes from the movie. Santa will visit with children daily through the holidays.

Streamwood time capsule

A time capsule in honor of Streamwood's 50th anniversary is being assembled by the Streamwood Historical Society. The capsule includes photos of the village's early history as well as more recent times, a special anniversary police badge and many other items. The capsule is to be buried on village hall grounds, to be reopened in another 50 years. It will be presented to Village President Billie Roth and the trustees at their Thursday village board meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. at village hall, 301 E. Irving Park Road.