Briefs: Robbery attempt reported

Two armed masked men tried to rob a man in an apartment stairwell on the 2300 block of Lexington Drive in Mount Prospect around 8:05 p.m. Thursday, police said. One robber pointed a semi-automatic handgun at the victim as he walked in, but the victim was able to knock the gun out of the robber's hand and flee as the second offender ran down the stairs toward him, police said. The men were described as black, 17-21 years old, and wearing black clothes; the robber holding the handgun wore a white mask, police said. It was the second robbery or attempted robbery in five days in the Colony Apartment complex, Officer Greg Sill said. Police issued a community alert for the area of Oakton Street and South Elmhurst Road, asking that people seeing suspicious activities or individuals call 911 for emergencies, or (847) 870-5656 for nonemergencies.

Lobbyist gets 3-year contract

The Des Plaines City Council has approved a three-year contract for $60,000 a year with All Circo Inc., the city's lobbyist since 2001. Previously the city had been paying $75,000 a year, but aldermen said that was more than the city could afford given other budget cuts that are being made. The firm also has been told it must upgrade the quality of its quarterly reports on its services to the city, Manager Jason Bajor said in response to concerns expressed by some aldermen.

Designer at Lego store

Northbrook native Adam Reed Tucker, an architect who has his own Lego line of famous buildings, will visit Legoland Discovery Center at Streets of Woodfield in Schaumburg from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. Tucker was inspired to switch to Legos after the 9/11 terrorist attacks to raise awareness about architecture and bring his work to a more personal level.