Briefs: Gene Hoffman honored

The General Assembly held a moment of silence Wednesday for former state Rep. Gene Hoffman of Elmhurst, who died last month. Hoffman, a legislator for 24 years and teacher at Fenton High School for three decades, was eulogized by state Sen. Kirk Dillard, who said, "No one person in the history of Illinois has probably made a more positive impact on school funding issues in the Western suburbs than Representative Hoffman. Locally, in suburbia, he used his knowledge of school finance to finally squeeze a few dollars out of Springfield for our local schools, yet he took care of school children from top to bottom in the land of Lincoln. Gene Hoffman was just a prince of a human being. He'll be sorely missed."

Safety check in Bensenville

Bensenville police will conduct roadside safety checks this weekend on the 1000 block of Grove Street. Motorists will be directed to a checkpoint and asked to provide their driver's license and proof of insurance. Police will check for a variety of violations. It will be the second roadside safety checkpoint that Bensenville has conducted this year.

New citizenship guide

Anyone new to this country or interested in becoming a U.S. citizen can visit the Addison Public Library, 2 Friendship Plaza, and check out "Civics and Citizenship Toolkit," which was just added to its collection. The kit, developed by the Task Force on New Americans, contains educational products designed to serve as a self-study resource for immigrants. It includes a guide for new arrivals written in both English and Spanish, a set of 96 flash cards to help with the civics portion of the naturalization test, a book of lessons based on the current naturalization test and a pocket-size version of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. It also offers a DVD designed for permanent residents offering an overview of U.S. history and government, the rights and responsibilities of U. S. citizenship and the naturalization process.

GED, career training

The Early School Leaver Program is accepting applications for the spring semester, which begins in late-January at 301 S. Swift Road, Addison. The program offers free GED preparation, workplace skill-building, and specific career training for DuPage residents ages 17 to 21. For details or to register, call (630) 691-7577 or visit www.tcdupage.org/esl.html.

Library board opening

Because of a resignation, the Warrenville Public Library District board is accepting letters of interest from district residents 18 or older who wish to be considered for appointment to the board. The vacancy will be filled by appointment until the next regular library election in spring 2009. At that time, the four years remaining in the vacated term will be up for election. Letters of interest may be submitted to Sharon Goodman, Board President, Warrenville Public Library District, 28W751 Stafford Place, Warrenville, IL 60555. Letters received prior to Feb. 8 will receive first consideration. For additional information, call Library Director Sandy Whitmer at (630)393-1171.

Environmental workshop

School and Community Assistance for Recycling & Composting Education will host a Greening Your Home workshop from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday to educate people on ways to make homes more environmentally friendly and healthier places to live. Area residents can learn about how to reduce waste, conserve energy, recycle and clean safely. The workshop will be held at The Environmental Sustainability Center at the southwest corner of Roosevelt Road and Route 53 in Glen Ellyn. To register, call (630) 545-9710 or e-mail ecoed@sbcglobal.net. For more information and directions, visit www.bookrescue.org.