The Week That Was: Big Addison fire, Randhurst outlot sale request
A late Monday night fire at an Addison business that tows and repairs large trucks destroyed 12 vehicles and eight trailers and created a significant environmental hazard, authorities said. Leaking diesel and oil from the damaged vehicles created a "long-term hazmat" situation at the business on the 500 block of Vista Avenue.
This afternoon will see the second Buffalo Grove Pride Drive, the socially distanced substitute for the community's Pride Parade, from noon until 3 p.m. More than 100 homes and businesses in Buffalo Grove will be decorated to celebrate Pride month.
After eight months, Abbott Laboratories' rapid COVID-19 test manufacturing and assembly facility in Gurnee has run its course due to a steep decline in demand. An estimated 2,000 workers were told Tuesday their assignments at the plant had ended and they should no longer report to work.
Randhurst owner DLC Management Corp. is seeking permission to subdivide the property so it could sell up to 15 outlots in order to invest more in the mall's Main Street section. Village trustees questioned the plan, one calling it "half-baked."
Mount Prospect police continue to investigate a hit-and-run crash that seriously injured a man in a wheelchair crossing Elmhurst Road. Police said they interviewed and released a 22-year-old woman without charging her.
Another festival coming back this summer will be Gurnee Days, albeit in a modified, shorter version without a carnival. The two-day festival will take place over the first full weekend in August.
A couple of mighty cute miniature horses, a dandy little donkey and other animal friends settled into their summer home this week in preparation for Saturday's opening of Tefft Farm at Lords Park Zoo in Elgin. The 10 animals will be on display daily until Aug. 13.
The week ahead: Lake Zurich Halloween
Lake Zurich trustees on Monday will consider a proposal to hold a monthlong Halloween event called Jack O' Lantern World at Paulus Park, in October. It would feature a walk-through of pathways where patrons would view 10 to 15 stations of 100 to 200 professionally carved pumpkins.
The week ahead: City council in-person
After more than a year meeting remotely because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Des Plaines aldermen and other city officials will gather in person for Monday's council meeting. The session is set for 7 p.m. at city hall, 1420 Miner St. Issues involving the Des Plaines Theatre and Metropolitan Square are among the agenda items.
The week ahead: Woodridge pantry
Woodridge pantry reopens
After a year of renovating and increasing capacity at its Woodridge facility, the West Suburban Community Pantry is hosting a grand reopening Wednesday to mark the return of its on-site shopping services. The event also celebrates a new partnership with Naperville's Amazon Fresh store, which is stocking the pantry with fresh and healthy grocery items for thousands of community members.
The week ahead: Kane County districts
Kane County will host its final public town hall on the decennial reapportionment of county board districts at 6 p.m. Wednesday, at 170 Mill Ave. in Hampshire. The meeting is a chance to get public input on the best and most fair ways to determine the size and location of county board districts. County officials are paying particular attention to drawing boundaries that allow for real chances for minority groups to elect representatives of their choice. The county has hosted four previous town halls.