Briefs: Aurora red light plan on hold
Aurora aldermen still are considering a proposal to install cameras at 20 city intersections to catch scofflaws running red lights. But the issue has been tabled at recent council meetings, as the city and the vendor, Redflex Traffic System, try to resolve some contract issues, city spokesman Carie Anne Ergo said. However, Kane County is now considering legislation that may affect the city's ability to collect the revenue necessary to make installing, monitoring and maintaining the service cost-neutral, she said.
Birkett to lead peers
DuPage County State's Attorney Joseph Birkett has been named president of the Illinois State's Attorney's Association. The association oversees management of the state appellate prosecutor's office as well as provides policy guidance, monitors legislation and advocates issues that concern the state's 102 state's attorney offices. The association also offers continuing legal education courses to assistant state's attorney bi-annually. Birkett is the organization's 72nd president and his term runs through Dec. 1, 2008.
Beware of Web predators
A town hall meeting, "Internet Predators and our Children," will be hosted by Butler Elementary District 53, District 53 PTO and Oak Brook Police Department at 7 p.m. Dec. 14 at Butler Junior High, 2801 York Road, Oak Brook. Kidnapping victim Alicia Kozakiewicz will speak. She was abducted as a teen and imprisoned in a cage by a man she met online, who posed as a teenage girl. The meeting will be facilitated by NBC 5's Allison Rosati with guest speakers Alicia and Mary Kozakiewicz and a member of the Illinois Attorney General's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Organizers say the meeting will contain potentially disturbing content and advise parents view this Internet link to decide if their child should attend the event along with them: http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerindex?id=3742791. For details, call Lisa Byers at (630) 794-0794.
New park in progress
Fox Valley Park District is planning to develop a 17-acre park with recreation areas and open space on Aurora's near west side. New Haven Park will be at Morton and New Haven avenues. Kane County Forest Preserve officials have agreed to pay $500,000 in funding to the park district to buy a portion of the site and will take title to about one-third of the park. Its portion will remain open space, while the rest of the park will have baseball and soccer fields, a youth play area, picnic area with shelter and a parking lot. The park district will develop and maintain the park.
Hero of the game
Taking in the Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics game at the United Center wasn't a total loss for Villa Park resident Deb Allen. While the Bulls ended up losing by 11 points, Allen walked away with the memory of being spotlighted at center court before the opening tip-off. She was honored as the Harris Community Hero of the Game. Allen was honored by Harris and the Bulls for her community involvement in the Villa Park and Lombard area. She began volunteering in 1985, through her work with the Tri-Town YMCA program, where she started as a program director and is currently executive director. She volunteers with several organizations including the Lombard Chamber of Commerce, Youth Services Coalition, Lombard Senior Citizens Coalition, Lombard Rotary and Lombard Clergy Association. The designated hero at each Bulls home game receives two tickets to a game and is recognized by Bulls team captains at center court prior to tip-off.
Forum on transportation
The Naperville Area Homeowners Confederation and city of Naperville will hold a public forum to discuss transportation issues from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at city hall, 400 S. Eagle St. Panel members will include representatives of the Illinois Tollway Authority, Illinois Department of Transportation, Will and DuPage counties, Pace and Naperville and Wheatland townships. The forum is open to the public and members of the audience will have a chance to ask questions.
Children needed for exhibit:
Children up to 12th grade are invited to participate in the 2008 Exhibit of the Dreamers Wax Museum of African American History sponsored by Agape Connection, Inc. The event will be held from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Hyatt, 1400 Corporetum Drive, Lisle. Children will select a person of African descent to represent who has made significant and lasting contributions to society. Participants will dress in character, prepare a tri-fold poster board containing information about their selection as well as recite a few lines activated by "push buttons" to museum guests. There is also an optional teen mentoring program available for participants. To register, call Dan Richardson at (630) 499-5705 or e-mail Wax-Museum@hotmail.com by Dec. 19.