Fox Valley briefs

Elgin, NIU host green conferenceThe city of Elgin and Northern Illinois University Outreach have partnered to host their first Sustainable Governance Conference on Friday, April 23, at the Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way, Elgin. The conference, entitled "Saving the Green: Turning Challenge into Opportunity," will feature national and municipal sustainability experts and business professionals who will show how to design and develop sustainable communities that are economically vibrant and fiscally sound. The cost is $59 for not-for-profits and government agencies and $179 for individuals. The keynote speaker is John Norquist, president of the Congress for New Urbanism. For details, visit sustainableconference.niu.edu or call (847) 931-5567.Dist. 300 keeps food vendorCommunity Unit District 300 has opted to keep Aramark as its food service contractor for another five years. The district's five-year contract with the vendor expires at the end of the current school year. The district solicited bids from 13 vendors, but Aramark was the only firm that submitted a bid. "The other companies did not want to put out a bid because we were so large," District 300 Director of School Operations Mike Prombo said. The Illinois State Board of Education also had to approve the bid. In its bid, Aramark reduced its rate by 0.8 percent. The total contract cost is about $5 million.Library helps job seekersBecause of the success of its job assistance station launched in January, the Huntley Area Public Library will host a pair of job-related programs in April. The library will host a job searchers' crash course from 6 to 8 p.m. April 27. A talk on cover letters will be given from 7 to 9 p.m. April 29. The courses are free, but registration is required. Call (847) 669-5386 ext. 21.