County commissioners (from left) Luis Arroyo Jr., Richard Boykin, John Daley, Peter Silvestri and Jeff Tobolski helped pack pears Sept. 19 during the Chicago Food Depository Government Officials Volunteer Day.

Cook County

State Rep. Durkin spearheads winter clothing drive

State Representative and House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (82nd District) is hosting a winter clothing drive through Nov. 4 to collect cold-weather gear for families in need during the upcoming winter season. Donations of new or gently used winter coats, jackets, hats, scarves, boots and gloves will be donated to the People’s Resource Center in DuPage County for distribution to area families. All sizes (infant to adult) will be accepted. Drop-off locations include Rep. Durkin’s District office, 16W281 83rd Street, Suite C, Burr Ridge (8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.); Magic Nails (Willowbrook Town Center), 7121 Kingery Highway, Willowbrook (10 a.m. to 8;30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday); Starbucks, 1013 Burlington Ave., Western Springs (5 a.m. to 9 p.m.); and Starbucks (Willowbrook Town Center), 7169 S. Kingery Highway, Willowbrook (5 a.m. to 10 p.m.). For more information, call the District Office at (630) 325-2028 or visit www.ilhousegop.org.   

Chicago

Midnight Circus show to benefit hurricane victims

Internationally renowned Midnight Circus in the Parks has partnered with American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois for a benefit performance to aid victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and evacuees to Chicago. The special show will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 12 at Welles Park, 2333 W. Sunnyside Ave. Tickets are $25 each. One-hundred percent of the gate proceeds (plus net concessions) will go toward the fundraising effort. To purchase tickets, visit the Midnight Circus website at www.midnightcircus.net. For more information, call (312) 343-4955 or visit the website.

Wheeling

Citizens’ Police Academy alums to host fundraiser

The village announced that the Wheeling Citizens’ Police Academy Alumni Association will host An Evening in Hawaii: Hawaiian Luau, beginning at 5 p.m. Oct. 20 at St. Joseph’s the Worker Social Hall, 185 W. Dundee Road. The fundraising event includes a Hawaiian buffet, catered by Market Square at 6:30 p.m., followed by a show with the Hokule’a Academy of Polynesian Dancers at 8 p.m. Tickets are $50 (adults), $10 (ages 6-10) and free (ages 5 and under). Seating is limited. For tickets, and more information, call (847) 541-8783 or visit www.wheelingil.gov.

Barrington

Village, Park Dist. partner for land exchange

The village announced that Barrington is in the process of finalizing a partnership agreement for a land exchange with the Barrington Park District that will assist the village in reducing flooding in the Miller Park area (Summit Street and Lincoln Avenue). Under a joint intergovernmental agreement, the village would transfer ownership of Meinhard Park (located at the corner of Bristol Drive and Concord Lane) to the Barrington Park District, and — in exchange — the Park District would transfer ownership of the open space area at Miller Park to the village (except for the Roy Wilmering Scout Cabin and its immediate surroundings, which would remain owned by the Park District). The village then plans to redevelop Miller Park as a combination of open space and a new stormwater retention pond aimed at lowering the risk of neighborhood flooding. In turn, the Park District would improve Meinhard Park with playground and other equipment appropriate for a neighborhood park. Through this land swap, the village will enhance stormwater management and the Park District will have a new recreation space for the neighborhood. For more information, call (847) 304-3400 or visit www.barrington-il.gov.

Oak Park

Police Dept. tabs Reynolds as Deputy Chief

The village announced that veteran detective commander LaDon Reynolds has been named Deputy Chief of the Oak Park Police Department. In his role as Deputy Chief, Reynolds — who joined the department in 1994 — will oversee the Patrol Division, which includes all of the men and women in uniform who police the community on a daily basis. Reynolds’ duties have included managing the Investigations Division (evidence technicians, school resource and juvenile officers, detectives and task force officers assigned to the FBI and DEA), and serving as the department’s Public Information Officer. He also is an adjunct professor in the Criminal Justice Administration program at Triton College, where he teaches courses in Law Enforcement Administration and Police Community Relations. In addition, Reynolds is an instructor for Western Illinois University’s campus security training program, and an instructor for the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board Executive Institute. Reynolds was officially sworn in as Deputy Chief on Sept. 25.

Elk Grove Village

Fire Dept. to host annual Open House

The village announced that the Elk Grove Fire Department will host its annual Open House from 1-4 p.m. Oct. 15 at Fire Station 7, 101 Biesterfield Road. Residents are invited to check out the Fire and EMS apparatus on display and watch live demonstrations by firefighters. Kids’ activities include a firefighter challenge, an inflatable fire safety house, fire pole and photo booth. In addition, the Elk Grove Police Department will conduct K-9 demonstrations and have a squad car available for kids to explore, and representatives from NICOR Gas, Northwest Central Dispatch and Alexian Brothers Medical Center will be on hand to answer questions and hand out information. For more information, call (847) 734-8000 or visit www.elkgrove.com.

Palatine

Village to begin curbside leaf collection

The village announced that curbside leaf collection will begin Oct. 13 and continue through Nov. 13. Raked leaves cannot be placed into the street before 4 p.m. the day prior to collection. There will be only one pass on each street during scheduled collection days. Leaf collection is a two-step process consisting of crews collecting leaves with a machine and a sweeper then performing the final clean-up. To view a detailed list of leaf collection guidelines, and a leaf collection zone map and schedule, visit www.palatine.il.us. For more information, call (847) 358-7500.

–Cook County News Briefs–