North Aurora gets state money to hire teens for summer work

North Aurora is looking to hire teenagers to do some conservation and recreation work this summer after winning a $34,000 grant from the Illinois Youth Recreation Corps program.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced the grant last week.

“I just think it is a tremendous thing for the community,” said village President Dale Berman, who, with interim village administrator David Summer, applied for the grant.

North Aurora will get to hire 10 part-time workers, ages 14 to 18, for $9 an hour, and a coordinator for $12 an hour, for 21 days of work in July and August. Applications are due no later than 4 p.m. Wednesday at the village hall, 25 E. State St.

Exactly what the workers will be doing hasn’t been established, but Berman envisions it will include taking care of landscaping on village properties, and organizing and conducting arts and crafts activities for children.

“I think it is great to be able to employ some of our youth and keep them occupied during the summer,” Berman said. “I’m sure we will keep them busy.”

It was one of 77 projects statewide to receive $4.2 million.

The recreation corps program is to provide conservation and recreational opportunities that include the coordination and teaching of physical activities directly related to natural resource conservation management or recreation, according to the application form on the state website. Workers must be United States citizens and residents of Illinois.