Briefs: Player's jersey to be retired

The Hanover Park Hurricanes of the Bill George Youth Football League will retire the jersey of running back Javaun McDonald during the homecoming pep rally from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Hurricane Field, Irving Park and Barrington roads. McDonald, 14, of Hanover Park, who played seven seasons with the team and helped it win three consecutive Super Bowl championships, died in an accident June 1. Rick Roberts, president of the Hurricanes, will conduct the ceremony about 6:45 p.m. He will present Javaun's mother, Debra McDonald, with a framed replica of Javaun's jersey, and another replica will hang on the side of the football tower during all home games.

A prayer for peace

Sisters of the Living Word in Arlington Heights will host a "A Prayer for Peace" at 3 p.m. Sunday in conjunction with The International Day for Peace. The event will be at the Sisters of the Living Word site at 800 N. Fernandez Ave. The prayer session is open to all. At the event, 12 prayers of different faiths will be read. There will also be flags and peace messages from numerous countries around the world to reflect the international nature of the message of peace. The event is free and open to the public, but residents should call (847) 577-5972 if they plan to attend.

Businesses help students

Alliant Credit Union near O'Hare International Airport, TravelCLICK of Schaumburg and High Sierra Sport Co. of Vernon Hills teamed up to provide 380 school supply kits to Gary Elementary School in Chicago's Little Village community. The value of school supplies and book bag contributions, including donations and discounts, was in the $20,000 range.

Chemical spill snarls traffic

Traffic was tied up for a couple of hours Thursday on the Elgin O'Hare Expressway after a chemical was spilled on the road. According to Hanover Park fire officials, an acrylic polymer used in printing processes spilled from a van around 3:41 p.m., just east of Lake Street. The liquid causes severe eye and skin irritation, but no injuries were reported. The driver of the van had swerved to avoid traffic from another accident. The mess was cleaned up just after 6:30 p.m.