Briefs: Election hotline

An election complaint hotline has been created for Kane County voters who observe or experience problems voting on Election Day. The hotline, (630) 208-5328, will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. today. Questions about polling times and places still should be directed to the Kane County Clerk's Election Help Line, (630) 232-5990.

IMSA grad named a trustee

Jay Budzik, founder and chief technology officer of Chicago-based MediaRiver, has been appointed to the Illinois Math and Science Academy board of trustees. He is a 1995 graduate the school. Budzik also has a bachelor's degree in computer science from the University of Chicago and a doctoral degree in computer science from Northwestern University.

ECC magazine wins award

Spire, Elgin Community College's student literary magazine, received central division first place in the 2008 literary magazine competition sponsored by the Community College Humanities Association. The award will be presented at the central region conference Nov. 13 to 15 in Omaha, Neb. This is the first honor awarded to Spire in its 34-year history. The magazine's 2007-2008 issue, published last spring, was co-edited by Spartan Design Club students and creative writing scholarship recipients.

Marine Corps' 233rd birthday

Elgin Marine Corps League Detachment 077 is having its annual breakfast in honor of its 233rd birthday. It will be at 8 a.m. Nov. 10 at the Hickory Stick in the clubhouse at the Highlands of Elgin golf course, 875 Sports Way. The guest speaker will be decorated Iraq war veteran Col. H. Stacy Clardy. The cost is $15 a person or $350 a table. Proceeds go to Honor Flight Chicago, which takes World War II veterans free of charge to see the war's memorial in Washington, D.C. Most of these veterans are on a fixed income and might not get a chance to see the memorial. For details, call Tom Sandor at (847) 530-5670 or Gordon Schnulle at (847) 695-1498.

Gifts for service personnel

Aurora will send gifts to city residents in active military service who are stationed in the United States or overseas. Service personnel will receive a one-pound box of mixed nuts and a card in time for the holidays. The mixed nuts are provided by the Kiwanis Club of Aurora. Names and mailing address of Aurora citizens in active service may be phoned to the Mayor's Office of Special Events at (630) 844-4731 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. The deadline for submitting names is Nov. 18.