Northwest suburbs in 60 seconds
Health center to expand
Streamwood trustees have approved a plan for the Streamwood Behavioral Health Center to increase the size of its main building by nearly 50 percent. Construction is scheduled to begin on a two-story, 30,000-square-foot addition almost immediately, so it can open by winter. The addition will create bed space to serve up to 42 more patients at the facility, which treats children and adolescents between the ages of 3 and 17. The original building, which opened in 1991 at 1400 E. Irving Park Road, is four stories tall and 66,000 square feet.
Legislators visit school
North Elementary School in Des Plaines is scheduled to get a visit at 9:30 a.m. today from two state legislators who want to witness the impact of the school's Positive Behavior Interventions and Support Program. The program was implemented at the school five years ago. The legislators are Sen. Susan Garrett and Rep. Elaine Nekritz. Principal Carol Gibbs credits the program for reducing problems with disruptive classrooms, rude behavior, noisy buses and chaotic lunchrooms. Students receive training in solving disagreements and new students and their families attend PBIS orientations on how they are to conduct themselves.
Park renovation forum set
The Des Plaines Park District will host a forum on the renovation of Willow Park on April 14. Residents can review conceptual plans and ask questions about the project from 6 to 8 p.m. in Friends Room B at the library, 1501 Ellinwood Ave. The project, which is slated to begin in August, involves the renovation of the existing playground, tennis courts and basketball courts. Landscaping and the addition of fencing are included as well. The work is being partially subsidized through an easement agreement with Lexington Homes and is scheduled to be completed this fall. Willow Park is located at 1325 Willow Ave. If you cannot attend and want to ask questions about this project, contact parks superintendent Paul Cathey at (847) 391-5700.
Shelter run/walk coming
Shelter Inc. is holding its second annual 5K Run/Walk 4 Kidz at 8 a.m. April 19 at the Higgins Road entrance to Busse Woods in Elk Grove Village, Groves 5-16. Parking is free. A day of family oriented activities is planned. Awards will be given to the top three finishers in each age division and overall top man and woman, and the first three boys and girls will win a prize in the Kids Dash. Extras for families include crafts, face painting and inflatables for children, prizes, sponsor booths and an awards ceremony. Registration is $25 per person in advance and $30 day of the run for adults, and $15 for youth aged 3 to 16. For more information, call (847) 590-6188, ext. 21, or go to shelter-inc.org.