Briefs: Judge urges settlement, sets hearing in U-46 suit

A federal judge again urged settlement to parties in the U-46 racial bias lawsuit Friday. Class-action cases, like the U-46 suit, often "go on forever in a sense," Judge Robert Gettleman told lawyers representing U-46 and the Elgin families suing. Gettleman reminded the lawyers that settlement can only occur through concessions on both sides. He set another hearing date of Oct. 15. Parties have until Oct. 16 to complete depositions or interviews of key witnesses in the case.

State delays Huntley power line decision

The Illinois Commerce Commission has postponed until at least Oct. 7 ruling whether ComEd can construct power lines through Huntley and portions of Rutland Township. Huntley officials have voiced strong opposition to the proposal, which includes construction of a 138,000-volt line running a long a 12-mile stretch of Interstate 90 before turning north through Rutland Township then east along Kreutzer Road near the Wing Pointe subdivision.

The village board is concerned the lines would hurt property values for nearby residents and negatively affect their long-range plans for Kreutzer Road.

District 300 approves budget

The Community Unit District 300 school board on Monday approved a $283.9 million budget for the 2008-09 school year, an 8 percent increase over last year's budget of $262.6 million. The budget contains more than $32 million for middle school renovations and elementary school additions. The district expects to end the year with an operating surplus of about $891,000. You can view the budget online at d300.org/web/financialinformation.