Briefs: Des Plaines OKs new budget

Des Plaines aldermen on Monday night narrowly gave final approval to spending $125.6 million next year. Mayor Tony Arredia broke a tie vote in favor of the spending plan, which received preliminary approval earlier this month. Third Ward Alderman Laura Murphy, 5th Ward Alderman Carla Brookman, 6th Ward Alderman Mark Walsten and 8th Ward Alderman Rosemary Argus opposed the plan. Aldermen also OK'd tax and fee increases. They doubled the telecommunications tax from 3 percent to 6 percent and voted to create a new sanitary sewer fee to bring the city $2.1 million next year. The fee would be 70 cents for each 100 cubic feet of water, or about $90 a year for the average Des Plaines homeowner. Officials also backed an increase to the city's hotel tax from 5 percent to 7 percent, which will bring in about $450,000 extra a year.

Meeting today on smoking

In anticipation of Illinois going smoke-free Jan. 1, the American Cancer Society is joining with the Cook County Department of Public Health and other public health entities to host a public information session 7 tonight at the Arlington Heights Senior Center, 1801 W. Central Road. Residents, business and restaurant owners and community leaders will receive information about the Smoke-Free Illinois Act and what businesses and individuals need to do to comply. The law will prohibit smoking in all indoor public places and workplaces, including restaurants, bars and casinos. No person can smoke within 15 feet of any entrance to a public place or workplace. Individuals and businesses found in violation of the law will face fines of $100 to $2,500.

Car towed after bus crash:

A Pace bus and a car were involved in a minor accident at Golf and New Wilke roads in Rolling Meadows at 9 p.m. Monday, according to the Rolling Meadows Police Department. The driver of the bus reported a minor injury and was transported to the hospital. The driver of the car was not injured, but the car was towed from the scene. The sole passenger on the bus was not injured. The bus was turned over to another Pace driver.

Township gets new trustee

Hanover Township has named local businesswoman Sandra Westlund-Deenihan of Streamwood to its four-person board of trustees, replacing outgoing Trustee Mary Ellen Runzel. Westlund-Deenihan, a member of the township's community mental health board, is the president of Quality Float Works Inc. in Schaumburg. She will serve as liaison on the youth and family services committee and says she hopes to create a mentoring program for young adults so they may seek guidance from senior business leaders and gain exposure to diverse career paths. There are 85,000 residents in Hanover Township.