Briefs: Board makes appointment
Lori Heitman was appointed to the Lake Villa Fire Protection District board this week by the Lake Villa Township board. Township board Supervisor Dan Venturi said Heitman's experience as Lake Villa village treasurer will be valuable for the fire protection district, which is currently building a new fire station in Lindenhurst. Heitman replaces Trustee Walter "Skip" Stechera, who resigned last month.
Library collects clothes
The Vernon Area Public Library in Lincolnshire collected 550 pieces of clothing in a clothing drive last month, officials announced Thursday. The items will be donated to PADS crisis shelters, A Safe Place and Women's Residential Services.
Reuse your shoes:
Nike and the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County have partnered to bring Nike's Reuse-A-Shoe program to Lake County. Reuse-A-Shoe collects worn athletic shoes of any brand. The shoes are processed and recycled to use for various sports surfaces. A collection box for used athletic shoes is located in the Sullivan Community Center, 635 N. Aspen Drive in Vernon Hills. Any brand will be accepted, except shoes with grommets or cleats. No dress shoes, sandals, boots, water "socks" or flip flops will be accepted. For more information, visit the agency Web site at www.co.lake.il.us/swalco /programs/shoes.asp.
Wheeling sues neighbor
Wheeling has filed a lawsuit against Buffalo Grove to recoup $77,870.33 that the village said is owed it for a bike path project. The two towns decided in 1994 to build a bike path that went through both Buffalo Grove and Wheeling. About 80 percent of that project money was to come from an Illinois Department of Transportation grant. The remainder of the cost was to be divided between the two towns, according to the lawsuit. The path was never built, and in 2004, Buffalo Grove decided to pull out of the agreement. IDOT said both towns were still required to repay the $135,158.47 received from the grant. Wheeling says that Buffalo Grove is still obligated to pay about $80,000 under the previous agreement, including half of some costs Wheeling incurred for the project.
Durbin offers flood aid
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin on Thursday asked the National Park Service to review a decision that's preventing a flood protection project in Lake County. The Buffalo Creek Reservoir project is part of an overall plan to stave off flooding of the Des Plaines River. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago has been blocked from moving forward with the $30 million Buffalo Creek Reservoir Project because the National Park Service decided a $190,000 land and conservation fund grant can't be used by Lake County for flood control purposes.