Rotary Club of Elgin rolling out red carpet
The stars are coming to the Rotary Club of Elgin.
OK, we're not talking Brad Pitt or Miley Ray Cyrus (or whatever her name is this week.)
They're not only community members, but policy makers and movers and shakers who affect Elgin and the region.
So far, Elgin Mayor Ed Schock and Big Ten Commissioner James Delaney have been keynote speakers at the group's weekly meetings at the Villa Oliva Country Club, Route 20 and Naperville Road, Bartlett.
Monday, Kane County State's Attorney John Barsanti will address the group.
Some other speakers this year -- and Rotary President Michael McKay has irons in the fire for several other big names -- are:
• William Scherr, chairman of the board, World Sport Chicago and CEO of the United States Olympic Committee. The 1988 bronze medal winner and member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame will speak March 3.
Chicago is one of several cities trying to land the 2016 Olympics.
• Wilfrid J. Wilkinson, president of Rotary International, will speak March 10. This will be the first time the president has addressed the Elgin group since at least 1965.
• Bill Conroy, owner of Chicago Bandits, a women's fast-pitch softball team that will play games at Judson University for at least the next three years, will arrive June 9.
McKay, an Elgin-based financial adviser, said the group made a conscious effort this year to draw some bigger names to speak at weekly lunch meetings.
"Their donation of their time helps energize the club and helps us accomplish our goals in the community just by being there," McKay said. "I still have a couple guests up my sleeve that I have yet to land."
The not-for-profit group does not pay for speakers and all proceeds go toward the community.
Meetings begin at 12:15 p.m., are open to the public and one does not have to join to attend.
Admission is $10 and includes lunch.
For more information, visit www.rotarycluboflegin.org or call (847) 841-1550.
Wait until November
Early voting for Tuesday's primary election is over.
The option for casting your ballot ahead of time ended three days ago, but I highly recommend taking advantage of this feature come November.
For the past two elections -- this week's primary and the spring 2007 races -- I voted early and it was great.
At Elgin City Hall last week, I was able cast my ballot without any problems, even though city hall was not my normal polling place or even in my precinct.
The election clerks were friendly, patient and very helpful.
Hugh Copland, an Elgin resident, also voted early that day.
As an election judge, he expects to work 15 hours on Tuesday and was happy to fulfill his civic duty ahead of time.
"This is the way to do it," Copland said.
hhitzeman@dailyherald.com