Christopher Placek
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‘Not vanity projects’: First District 214 referendum in more than a half century will ask for $295 million to fix buildingsAug 07, 2026 4:46 pm - Northwest Suburban High School District 214 board members voted to place a $295 million bond referendum on the Nov. 3 ballot for building renovations across seven campuses, in what is the district’s first referendum in more than five decades.
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No second bananas: How Chicago Snowballs combine baseball with a ‘traveling circus’ showAug 07, 2026 10:37 am - The Chicago Snowballs, a new baseball team inspired by the Savannah Bananas, is bringing “sportstainment” to stadiums throughout the Midwest with a unique blend of baseball, choreographed dance routines, circus acts and comedy.
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Senior apartment building’s 4-story height next to homes not ‘going to fly,’ Arlington Heights mayor saysAug 04, 2026 3:27 pm - Despite supporting the concept, Arlington Heights village board members said a proposed four-story, 60-unit affordable senior housing development on Golf Road is too tall and too close to neighboring homes.
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‘Full circle moment’: Husband and wife set to launch transformation of shuttered Rolling Meadows firehouseAug 03, 2026 6:36 pm - Husband-and-wife business owners Michael and Emily Schumann will convert a former 1958 Rolling Meadows fire station into Abide Coffee + Bakery, with a $1.8 million renovation set to begin this fall.
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Shuttered Mount Prospect animal feed plant to pay $185K to resolve suit brought by state AGJul 31, 2026 5:16 pm - Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul on Friday secured a $185,000 civil penalty from Prestige Feed Products LLC, a closed Mount Prospect animal feed plant, for excessive odors that neighbors complained about for years.
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‘Something I can do to help’: Suburban donors respond to blood shortage crisisJul 30, 2026 6:11 pm - Blood donors came to a Libertyville clinic Thursday after the American Red Cross declared a national blood crisis for only the second time in its 145-year history.
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Arlington Heights uncorks drinks-to-go downtown social districtJul 30, 2026 6:05 pm - Arlington Heights launched the Arlington Alfresco Social District pilot program Thursday, allowing patrons to purchase alcoholic beverages from nine participating businesses and consume the drinks along two downtown streets.
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Median could improve safety along Kirchoff, consultant says, but some still want stop lightJul 29, 2026 5:14 pm - Flashing beacons and a 10-foot median refuge island are a consultant’s recommended safety upgrades for the Kirchoff Road and Oriole Lane intersection in Rolling Meadows. Some aldermen prefer a traffic signal despite a study showing low pedestrian crossing numbers.
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‘We can’t be bystanders’: Rolling Meadows mayor announces reelection bid amid Bears stadium sagaJul 28, 2026 4:49 pm - Rolling Meadows Mayor Lara Sanoica has announced her reelection bid, touting endorsements from all seven city council members and no current opposition. Sanoica has positioned herself as a regional voice in the Chicago Bears’ potential Arlington Park redevelopment.
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Arlington Heights rebrands its National Night Out event as ‘Night in the Heights’Jul 27, 2026 6:37 pm - Arlington Heights Police Department will host its inaugural “Night in the Heights” event Wednesday at North School Park, replacing an event traditionally branded as National Night Out.