Briefs: O'Hare hearing postponed
A court hearing on an environmental analysis of the O'Hare International Airport expansion zone in Bensenville was postponed Tuesday. DuPage County Circuit Judge Kenneth Popejoy was absent but is expected to return Thursday to preside over the session. O'Hare Modernization Program officials will present the results of their environmental tests at that time. Bensenville attorneys said they have not yet seen the results. However, they expect Popejoy to grant the village at least six weeks for its own environmental experts to review the study.
Pole topples, road closes
The northbound lanes of Route 59 were closed for two hours near West Bartlett Road in Bartlett Tuesday morning after a light pole fell across three lanes of traffic. Authorities said a vehicle slammed into the utility pole at about 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, causing it to topple. The driver, who wasn't injured, lost control and skidded off the road because of icy conditions, authorities said. No cars were struck by the falling utility pole.
Alexian Brothers makes list
HealthGrades, a health-care ratings organization, Tuesday named Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village one of the top 50 hospitals in the United States based on clinical outcomes. The hospitals that made the list had a 27 percent lower mortality rate than the average for all hospitals. They ranked among the top 5 percent in the nation in outcomes aggregated across 27 different procedures and diagnoses, HealthGrades said. The other Illinois hospital on the list is Evanston Northwestern Healthcare, which includes Highland Park Hospital. More information on the ratings is at www.healthgrades.com.
It'll be a blast in Hoffman
Hoffman Estates trustees have given tentative approval to spend $15,000 for its July 4 fireworks. The contract goes to Kingsbury, Ind.'s Melrose Pyrotecnics Inc., which would be formally approved at the March 3 board meeting. The display will includes 4,704 shells for a show that would last 30 minutes. The grand opening includes 420 shells, the main show includes 3,412, the midfinale includes 336 and the finale includes 536. The annual show is planned for July 4.
Resource center to open
The Hanover Park Community Resource Center will open to the public Saturday. Living Christ Lutheran Church has donated the use of their building, located at 1402 Arlington Drive, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday. The center will feature a computer lab equipped basic programs and a quiet study area with books. Trained volunteers will tutor and teach basic computer classes. For details, call (630) 837-2100.