The briefs

Women place in pageant

Four area women received special recognition in the Miss Illinois USA and Miss Illinois Teen USA contests held in Chicago last weekend. In the teen contest, Chantel Valencia, 17, of Hoffman Estates was named third runner up, while Tara McCullough, 17, of Elk Grove Village placed in the interview category. For Miss Illinois USA, Ashley Bond, 23, formerly of Streamwood, was in the top 16 finalists and Nicole Huber, 22, of Schaumburg placed in the swimsuit category.

Arlington Hts. to light tree

Arlington Heights will hold its annual tree lighting at 4:45 p.m. today in North School Park, Eastman Street and Arlington Heights Road. The event starts with musical entertainment provided by Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, and the switch will be flipped at 5 p.m. Afterward, the annual ChristkindlMarkt activities will be held in two heated tents adjacent to North School Park. The market opens today and will be held through Sunday.

Elk Grove lights, fireworks

Mayor Craig Johnson and a "special guest" will hold Elk Grove Village's annual tree-lighting ceremony at 5:30 tonight in the center of the municipal complex, 901 Wellington Ave. Music from Elk Grove High School and Conant High School choirs will entertain; residents can meet Santa and his elves. Once the tree is lit with more than 250,000 lights, stick around for the fireworks.

Schaumburg tree lighting

Schaumburg kicks off the holiday season today. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. with a tree lighting ceremony at the Prairie Center for the Arts, at Schaumburg and Summit roads. Village President Al Larson and trustees will lead holiday carols, followed by Santa's arrival via fire truck at 6:30 p.m. Children can pose for pictures with Santa until 8:30 p.m. in the Maggie Atcher Theatre. Residents are asked to bring nonperishable food items to donate to the Schaumburg Food Pantry. Donations will be accepted at the Municipal Center through Dec. 17.