Cook County briefs

28,000 pizzas sent to troops:

Retired Master Sgt. Mark Evans of Elk Grove Village received an enthusiastic send-off at Chicago's Soldier Field Wednesday morning before leaving for Iraq and Afghanistan to deliver 28,000 pizzas to troops for the July 4 holiday. Evans' nonprofit organization, Pizzas 4 Patriots, teamed up with DHL global express delivery and UNO Chicago Grill for "Operation Pizza Surge," aiming for a Guinness Book of World Records designation as the world's largest pizza party. Chicago Bears representatives presented Evans with a $3,000 check at Wednesday's news conference on behalf of Mike and Nancy McCaskey, the Bears' owners whose son is serving in Iraq. For more information about Evans' organization, visit Pizzas4Patriots.com.

Motel 6 celebrates new design:

Several Motel 6 properties in the Chicago area are being renovated with the "Phoenix" room design, described as a European, boutique-style design. The Motel 6 in Arlington Heights, 441 W. Algonquin Road, will hold a grand opening event today with hors d'oeuvres and a tour of the new rooms between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Motel 6 is owned by Accor North America.

Slaughter joins Make-A-Wish:

The Chicago Slaughter, of the Continental Indoor Football League, will host "Make-A-Wish" night during the team's Saturday, June 20, playoff game against the Wisconsin Wolfpack at the Sears Centre. The Slaughter will join forces with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois and Jett's Heating & Air to raise funds in order to grant a child's wish. Kickoff is at 7:05 p.m. To raise money: Buy Slaughter tickets online, mention the Make-A-Wish Foundation and $4 from each purchase will be donated; donate $5 to get autographs by Mark Anderson, Marcus Harrison and Eric Peterman of the Chicago Bears; or buy a $10 raffle ticket from Jett's to win a new heating and air conditioning system. Information is at (847) 310-3190 or ChicagoSlaughter.com.