Cook County Digest

Health office breaks ground:

A two-story, 56,985-square-foot medical office building approved by Lake Barrington village officials more than two years ago is finally scheduled to break ground. The ceremony is scheduled at 2 p.m. today east of the Saturn dealership on Northwest Highway. Construction was delayed longer than expected by financial issues, but more than 50 percent of the building has now been reserved by future tenants, developer Norman Hays said. Lake Barrington Village President Kevin Richardson is scheduled to attend the event, which will be followed by a reception at the nearby Onion Pub & Brewery on Pepper Road.

Bean to give keynote:

Democratic Congresswoman Melissa Bean of Barrington will be the keynote speaker at an International Trade Conference in Schaumburg Aug. 28. The event will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Chandler's Grill & Banquets, 401 N. Roselle Road. The conference will feature an overview of the U.S. Chamber's TradeRoots program, opportunities for trade in Illinois, success stories in export achievement and resources for going global. The cost is $59 per person and includes program materials, networking, a continental breakfast and lunch. For more information or to register, call (847) 885-8800 or visit www.schaumburgbusiness.com.

Harper chorus seeks voices:

The Festival Chorus at Harper College is looking for a few good tenors, sopranos, contraltos and altos to join its ranks for their 43rd annual Winter Concert Program. The northwest suburban community chorus, comprised of more than 80 singers, rehearses from 7:30 to 10 p.m. on Mondays in Building P, Room P202, at Harper College, 1200 W. Algonquin Road in Palatine. Auditions for voice placement will begin at 6:45 p.m. at the first rehearsal Aug. 13. For information, call Ellen Lamarre at (847) 382-9445.

Dist. 15's new photo policy:

A new policy approved by the Palatine Elementary District 15 school board gives parents or guardians options about the release of their child's name and photographing them. Parents of District 15 students will be required to complete a form about this. If a parent gives permission, the student's name may appear in district publications, the Web site, news releases or video presentations. For more information, contact the individual school principals.