DuPage County in 60 seconds

Early voting begins today

Early voting for the April 7 election runs from today through Thursday, April 2. There are 42 early voting sites throughout suburban Cook County, 12 in DuPage County, 17 in Lake County, 15 in Kane County and 7 in McHenry County. Voters can check the Web sites of the county election coordinators for days and hours of operation for the early voting sites. Visit cookctyclerk.com for suburban Cook County voting information; dupageelections is the DuPage County site; lakecountyil.com will assist Lake County voters; kanecountyelections is the site for Kane County voting details; and McHenry County voters should visit co.mchenry.il.us. Many suburban election officials reported more than 20 percent of the ballots cast in the November 2008 election came from early voting.

Homeowner workshop

The DuPage Homeownership Center will sponsor a free workshop from 2 to 4 p.m. March 28 for residents to get information on the Making Home Affordable prevention initiatives and other strategies to help save their homes. The workshop will be at the Outreach Community Center, 345 S. President St., Carol Stream. Space is limited, and reservations are required. For information or to reserve a spot, call (630) 260-2500, x. 2501, or visits dhoc.org.

Programs on display

Supporters of Talented and Gifted Education will hold a Summer Programs Fair from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today at Kennedy Junior High school, 2929 Green Trails Drive, Lisle. Representatives from 35 organizations will showcase summer programs for students in kindergarten through high school.

Dist. 203 construction starting

Naperville Unit District 203 will break ground on its new early childhood center at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, at the school site on Naper Boulevard near Huntington Estates. The center will serve children ages 3 to 5 who are considered "at risk" and will be an environmentally friendly building. The $11 million project will be funded through a tax increase voters improved in a February 2008 referendum.

Meet Addison candidates

The Addison Chamber of Commerce and Industry holds Meet the Candidate programs live on Addison Community Cable Channel 6 on the following dates: 7 p.m. March 24 with candidates for village, park district and library; and 7 p.m. March 26 with candidates for township offices. Both programs air from council chambers at Addison Village Hall, 1 Friendship Plaza; limited audience seating is available. Questions will be accepted until 8:15 p.m. both from the audience and by phone, (630) 693-7975. The final program is from 6 to 8 p.m. March 31 with candidates for Addison School District 4 and DuPage High School District 88. Questions are accepted by phone at (630) 693-7500 from 6 to 6:30 p.m. for District 4 candidates and from 7 to 7:30 p.m. for District 88 candidates. For details, call (630) 543-4300.