Cook County briefs

They're still heroes, anyway:

Two Elgin men who were up for an award of up to $1 million through a NASCAR-related contest have came up short. Rick Schar and Roy Engstrom were among the 10 finalists for the Lenox Extra Mile Hero award, which recognized people who helped their communities. The award, determined by a Web vote, was given out this week at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Lenox Industrial Tools 301 race in New Hampshire. Michigan's Pete Dingeman won for his efforts in helping children with tumors. Schar was nominated for his help building a special house in Rolling Meadows for his nephew Bryan Anderson, the Iraq war veteran who lost his legs and left arm in a roadside bombing in Baghdad. Engstrom, a longtime volunteer in Bartlett, helps children who are vision- and hearing-impaired with Bartlett's Lions Club, and worked with Bartlett's Little League. The winner receives $31,000, with another $31,000 going to his charity of choice. If NASCAR driver Jeff Burton, a Lenox spokesman, had won the race, the winner would have received $500,000, with another $500,000 going to the winner's charity. Burton placed 31st.

Reward offered in murder:

Cook County Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 cash reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or people responsible for murdering 16-year-old Jesus Sanchez of Hanover Park. On its flyer, the not-for-profit group said police suspect the May 23 shooting was gang related and that Sanchez was killed in retaliation for an earlier incident that occurred in Hanover Park that day. Callers can remain anonymous. Call (800) 535-STOP.

Crespo in Streamwood July 9:

State Rep. Fred Crespo, a Democrat from Hoffman Estates, will host a legislative session town hall meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 9, in the Streamwood Police Department, 401 E. Irving Park Road. He will discuss the legislative session in Springfield, local matters and conclude with an open question and answer session from members of the audience. This is the second of three meetings; he met with Hanover Park residents on June 10, and is scheduled to hold a session in Hoffman Estates in the near future. RSVPs are preferred. Call (630) 372-3340.

Harper summer enrollment up:

Adult enrollment in Harper College's summer-semester courses is up 12 percent from this time last year. Nearly 420 more adults (ages 25 and older) enrolled this year at the Palatine community college than in 2008. There are also 360 more young adult students (ages 19 to 24) enrolled in Harper's summer courses, a 7 percent hike. Harper's total enrollment has topped 10,000 students this summer, an 8 percent gain from last year. The dean of enrollment services cited affordability and convenience amid the recession as reasons for the growth.