Northwest suburbs in 60 seconds
Elk Grove looks to stop idling
Two Elk Grove Village committees will meet today to review a plan to create "no idling" zones. The village's judiciary, planning and zoning committee, and the recycling and waste committee will meet at 2 p.m. at village hall, 901 Wellington Ave. Under the proposal, certain areas in the village would be designated as spots where the idling of vehicles would be barred. The meetings are open to the public.
Waste hauling in Hoffman
Hoffman Estates trustees are scheduled to decide tonight if they will award an exclusive, no-bid contract for commercial waste hauling to Groot Industries, which already provides garbage and recycling pickup for local residences. Commercial property owners in the village have always had to contract for waste-hauling privately. But village officials say that having a single hauler for all properties could save some private businesses money, increase recycling among commercial properties, bring extra revenue to the village and reduce the number of garbage trucks - as well as their resulting noise, pollution and road wear-and-tear - on village streets. Some competing waste haulers, however, have cried foul over the village's proposal to award the contract without competitive bidding. At the same time, the village board plans to vote on extending its contract with Groot for resident garbage pickup. Though the contract does allow for residential rate increase, village officials say they intend to freeze existing rates through 2015.
New care package campaign
Village Bank & Trust in Arlington Heights is partnering with Operation Support our Troops Illinois to coordinate a care package campaign for servicemen and women. Donations, recommended items and letters of thanks addressed to "Dear American Hero" will be collected at the bank through Labor Day. The collection boxes are in place at all four Village Bank & Trust locations: 234 W. Northwest Hwy., 150 E. Rand Road, 311 S. Arlington Heights Road and 1845 E. Rand Road. For more information visit bankatvillage.com.
'Green' event at Kinnane's
Arlington Heights Mayor Arlene Mulder will speak about "green" initiatives in the village as part of an event Tuesday evening to highlight ways to make your home more environmentally friendly. The event from 6 to 8 p.m. at Peggy Kinnane's Irish Restaurant and Pub, 8 N. Vail St., is sponsored by the Meritage Realty Group LLC and will also feature presentations on energy audits and radon inspections. A voluntary $7 donation will benefit the Emily Ann Holum Fund in honor of a 6-year-old who died from leukemia a year ago. For more information, call (224) 805-9800.
Miner lanes open, close
Des Plaines officials say the southern lanes of Miner Street will close starting Tuesday morning as work continues along the river. The closures will last one month. Two north side lanes of Miner Street have been closed since October 2006 to make way for construction of the Levee 50 floodwall and the multiuse trail along the river. Those westbound lanes will reopen. This will allow the reconstruction of the southern half of the bridge approach.
Dancing event for seniors
"Dancing with the Finest," where senior ladies will dance with local police officers and firefighters, will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court in Schaumburg. The event is free, but register in advance at Schaumburg Barn at 231 Civic Drive in Schaumburg. Call (847) 524-7496.