Briefs: Veterans panel formed

Veterans panel formed

A citizens advisory committee on veterans issues has been formed by state Rep. Fred Crespo to provide feedback on what the state legislature and the community at large can do to provide more support to veterans. The panel would meet three to four times a year. Crespo, a Democrat from Hoffman Estates, has formed advisory committees on other topics like education, health care, small business and women's issues. Anyone who'd like to serve on the veterans panel or wants more information should contact Crespo's Streamwood district office at (630) 372-3340. His 44th District includes all or parts of Hoffman Estates, Streamwood, Schaumburg, Hanover Park, Elgin and Bartlett.

South Elgin parks honored

The South Elgin Parks and Recreation Department recently received the Illinois Parks and Receation Distinguised Agency Award. The honor recognizes the department's management, finance and business operations, as well as its parks, facilities, personnel and recreation services, according to a news release. Preparation for the award, which has a goal of improving recreation services through the voluntary evaluation process, began two years ago. The South Elgin Parks and Recreation board of directors and staff will receive this award at the state conference on Jan. 25. Only 38 out of 400 park districts in the state and one recreation department, have received this honor, according to the release.

Learn Internet safety

Learn about Internet social networks, cyber bullying, and sexual predator identification in a presentation at 7 p.m. Tuesday at South Elgin High School, 760 E. Main St., South Elgin. Phil Morris, manager of technology for the Kane County Regional Office of Education, will offer a presentation on social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook as well as chat rooms where sexual predators often go to meet prospective victims.