Fox Valley briefs

Governor, judicial candidates at forumThe Women's Bar Association of the 16th Judicial Circuit will host a candidate forum for governor and judicial candidates at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, at the Eagle Brook Country Club, 2288 Fargo Blvd., Geneva. All Republican and Democratic gubernatorial candidates have been invited. Republicans Adam Andrzejewski, Bill Brady, Kirk Dillard and Dan Proft have said they will attend. The candidates will be asked questions from a panel regarding their campaign agendas and goals for Illinois. In addition, for the Illinois 2nd District Appellate Court races, Justice Ann Jorgensen and Kenneth Moy, opponents for an open seat, have said they will attend. Justice Mary S. Schostok, running for a second open seat, also will be present. For Kane County elections, expected to be present for 16th Circuit judgeships are: Judge Kevin T. Busch and Fred M. Morelli, who seek the Republican nomination for the circuitwide seat; Judge Karen Simpson, who seeks the Republican nomination in the Third Subcircuit; Judge Susan Clancy Boles, who seeks the Republican nomination in the Fourth Subcircuit; and Judge Robert L. Janes, T. Patrick Rice and D.J. Tegeler, who seek the Republican nomination for the Kane County resident judgeship, with Michael C. Funkey, who seeks the Democratic nomination for this seat. The forum will begin with the judicial candidates. The gubernatorial forum is expected to begin at about 7:30 p.m. There will be a meet-and-greet for all candidates immediately following the forum. The forum is open to the public. Questions will be taken from the audience or can be submitted in advance to WBAElectionForum@gmail.com.Deadline for candidatesThe Village of Carpentersville is looking for candidates to serve on the village's newly adopted Business Development Commission. The seven-member commission will be appointed on the basis of experience and background. Not all members will be required to be village residents. However, at least four members must be electors and residents of the village for at least one year. One resident will be a consumer and registered to vote. The commission will function in an advisory capacity and will meet at least monthly. Those interested should submit a letter to Village President Ed Ritter, 1200 LW Besinger Drive, Carpentersville 60110 no later than Jan. 8.State rep. hosts contestState Rep. Keith Farnham, an Elgin Democrat, has announced he will sponsor a Draft-a-Bill contest for area eighth-grade students. Entries are due by Jan. 8, at Farnham's office, 217 Prairie St., Elgin, and must include clear statement of the legislative idea, background facts and data and at least three supporting statements. The bill must address one the following categories: education, health care, environment and renewable energy, economic development, veterans affairs or public safety. Winning entries will receive consideration for becoming a real law as well as a receive a certificate of recognition from the Illinois House. For details, call (847) 841-7130 or e-mail krfarnham@gmail.com.Plan B for your Christmas treeDon't know what to do with that Christmas tree now that the holidays are over? If you live in Cary, the village's refuse handler Groot Recycling and Waste Services, will be collecting Christmas trees for free, during the month of January. The company will collect the trees from the curb on Jan. 7, Jan. 14, Jan. 21 and Jan. 28. Please make sure your trees are free of all decorations and are on the cub before 6:30 a.m. on collection day. For more information about the program, call (847) 639-0003.