Briefs: Seat belt patrols

Motorists are reminded that state police from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin are participating in stepped up enforcement of seat belt and other traffic safety laws. Extra effort will be focused during nighttime hours, when seat belt use is at its lowest point of the day, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Research has shown that the proper use of seat belts reduces the risk of fatal injury to front seat passenger car occupants by 45 percent. The enforcement began Tuesday, Nov. 25, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 30.

Thanksgiving road work

The Illinois Department of Transportation will be giving motorists a break by suspending lane closures where possible over the Thanksgiving holiday. However, some constructions zones will continue to have lane closures in effect. In Lake County, those include Route 60 over the Tri-State Tollway and from Riverwoods Road to Saunders Road/Field Drive, Lake Forest; bridge closure on Old Elm Road over the Skokie River, Lake Forest/Highland Park; one lane in each direction on Sheridan Road from Route 120 to Grand Avenue, Waukegan; and one lane in each direction from on Sunset Avenue from Delany Road to Route 131, Waukegan/Gurnee. Check gettingaroundillinois.com for road condition reports and construction updates or call (800) 452-4368.

Food drive results

Mundelein High School's student leadership organization collected 6,300 canned and boxed items for several area food pantries in a recent drive. The effort reached out to the school and broader Mundelein community. In addition to this venture, the student leadership group will sponsor four families during the holiday season.