Briefs: No tickets for snow removal

The Des Plaines City Council has dropped a plan being considered to fine homeowners who don't remove snow from sidewalks in a timely manner. After further consideration, the legal and licensing committee decided strictly enforcing the existing requirement against businesses, which are on major thoroughfares where the danger from walking in the street is greatest, and relying on a public-relations campaign to encourage residential sidewalk clearing would be adequate, said Fifth Ward Alderman Carla Brookman, the committee chair.

Roadside checks in Arlington

The Arlington Heights Police Department will conduct a roadside safety check between 10 p.m. Dec. 20 and 3 a.m. Dec. 21 along South Arlington Heights Road. In addition, officers will conduct "saturation patrols" over weekends and on New Year's Eve, between Dec. 19 and Jan. 4. The checkpoint is funded by a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Illinois Department of Transportation-Division of Traffic Safety.

Arts grants awarded

The Illinois Arts Council has awarded more than $40,000 in grants to eight local groups. Northwest Suburban High School District 214 received a $3,820 grant for the annual Fiesta Cultural, celebrating Latino culture and tradition. Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, Arlington Heights, received $11,430 for general operating support and outreach programs. Northwest Symphony Orchestra Association, Mount Prospect, got $2,980 for soloists and other purposes. Two Des Plaines groups got funds; the Paul Lindblad Choristers got $750 to teach children to sing the classics, and Sociedad Civica Mexico Americana was awarded $530 for general operating support. Three Park Ridge groups got money: Brickton Art Center received $10,880; the Park Ridge Civic Orchestra got $7,620 and the Park Ridge Cultural Arts Council received $2,200. Checks were presented by state Sen. Dan Kotowski, a Park Ridge Democrat, in a ceremony at the Metropolis.