DuPage County briefs: Dist. 204 promotes Birkett

Indian Prairie Unit District 204 has named Kathy Birkett its deputy superintendent, a newly created position. She was previously the assistant superintendent for secondary education. Birkett will head the district's new department of education overseeing both elementary and secondary instruction. The school board could vote on a pay raise for Birkett at its Aug. 27 meeting.

Rush-Copley wins honors:

Aurora's Rush-Copley Medical Center has been selected one of "Chicago's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For" by the National Association for Business Resources. The group honored companies it felt most effectively demonstrated employee dedication. An independent research firm evaluated each company's entry in nine categories: communication, community initiatives, compensation and benefits, diversity and multi-culturalism, employee education and development, employee engagement and commitment, recognition and retention, recruitment and selection and work-life balance. Rush-Copley is one of the largest employers in the Fox Valley with more than 1,700 employees and nearly 500 physicians on staff.

Realtor offers sign services:

Naperville's RealStar Realty is renting out the sign in front of its offices at 639 S. Washington St. to raise money for a good cause. For $20, anyone can rent one side of the sign for 48 hours, with the money going directly to Naperville CARES, a not-for-profit agency that provides resources to people in Naperville who need assistance to avoid homelessness and attain self-sufficiency. Dianne Wilt, the owner of RealStar Realty, recently became a member of the CARES board of directors. All sign messages are subject to review by RealStar and can be refused at its discretion. For details, call (630) 420-7400 or visit www.RealStarRealty.com.

Aurora officer honored:

Aurora police officer Nicholas Gartner has been honored as July's Employee of the Month for catching two men who were in the act of burglarizing a far east side home, officials said. He saw two people acting suspiciously before breaking into a home in the 900 block of Windemere Lane in early June. While on patrol, Gartner saw one of the men pry open a window while the other acted as a lookout. After calling for backup, officers surrounded the home. The men were taken into custody without incident. Nothing was taken. Police said they believe the pair may be involved in other east-side burglaries.

Naperville nutritionist feted:

A Naperville woman, Christine M. Palumbo, has been named the Outstanding Nutrition Entrepreneur of the Year. The Nutrition Entrepreneur Dietetic Practice Group will honor her Oct. 1 at the annual American Dietetic Association Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo in Philadelphia. Palumbo has 30 years of experience in the field, writes a nutrition column for Allure Magazine and serves on the board of directors of the American Dietetic Association.

Primary colors showing:

Now it's a three-way race in DuPage County Board District 6. Republican Bob Larsen, an attorney, announced he's running for one of two spots in the Feb. 5 primary. Other GOP candidates are incumbent Board Member Jim Zay of Carol Stream and Carol Stream Trustee Pam Fenner. Larsen of Wheaton is a Milton Township trustee and lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. Larsen said the county needs to get its budget under control. With board members divided on various issues, he believes he can bridge political divides. "I've learned how to work with people with different viewpoints," he said.

Cops bust operation:

Bensenville police arrested a man believed to be selling Social Security cards and resident alien cards to illegal immigrants from his apartment in Bensenville, reports said. Guidelia Tello, 29, 648 S. York Road, was charged with identity theft, a Class 3 felony, on Aug. 10 following a search of his home, police reports said. Authorities also seized his computer and electronic devices. Another person was taken into custody that day but was released pending further investigation, police reports said. Bensenville police were assisted in the investigation by Addison and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency.

Sibling Art offered today:

Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region will offer a Summer Sibling Art Group from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and Thursday at the center, 830 S. Addison Ave., Villa Park. The group is for siblings of children who are receiving therapy and offers the brothers and sisters of those with special needs an opportunity to share their feelings via art projects, storytelling and role playing. For details, call (630) 261-6242.

District 4 gets donations:

Members of the Gamma Eta chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an honor society of women educators, shopped for and donated school supplies to Addison Elementary District 4 students. The women used funds donated by individual chapter members, a $100 gift card donated by Target and a grant from the Lambda State Educational Foundation. They purchased more than 100 backpacks, notebook paper, folders, crayons, pens, pencils, markers, erasers, scissors and rulers. These supplies will be distributed to the eight District 4 schools and will be available for students in need.

Golf with some lions:

The Wheaton Lions Club will sponsor a golf outing and steak fry today at Cantigny Golf Club near Wheaton. The outing will raise funds for the sight- and hearing-impaired in the area. The event features 18 holes of golf with cart, driving practice range, chipping and putting practice, Club Pro chipping lesson, $10,000 Hole-in-One prize, lunch, on-course refreshments, streak fry and prizes. The cost to participate is for $800 a foursome, $225 for a single player or $40 for the Steak Fry only. Contact Jim Herrmann at (630)933-0690 with questions and for foursome pairings.