The village announced that it is sponsoring a battery recycling program in conjunction with the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC). A drop-off box is accessible from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at Village Hall, 2 Community Blvd.

Elk Grove Village

Kelly named state’s High School Principal of the Year

High School District 214 reported that the Illinois Principals Association (IPA) recently selected Elk Grove High School Principal Paul Kelly as the 2018 Illinois High School Principal of the Year. Kelly joined District 214 in 2007 as a social science/world language division head at John Hersey High School, in Arlington Heights. He previously served as a teacher leadership coach at the University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC), and led instructional reform in the UIC Urban Leadership Department’s Curriculum Framework Project. Kelly began his career as a social science teacher at Carl Sandburg High School, in Orland Park, in 1998. In 2002, he received the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award as a teacher at Hinsdale South High School, in Darien. Kelly was selected as Illinois High School Principal of the Year from a pool of regional nominees provided by the 21 regions of the IPA. Kelly will be recognized at the IPA’s annual Education Leaders Fall Conference, in October, and will receive a $1,000 honorarium. For more information, call 847-718-7700 or visit www.ce.d214.org.

Schaumburg

Public Works seeks entries for student drawing contest

The village announced that the Schaumburg Engineering & Public Works Department is hosting a drawing contest for children that will result in the winning artwork being used in promoting the department’s upcoming Open House (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 19). The contest is open to Schaumburg residents enrolled in kindergarten through eighth grade. Relatives of Village of Schaumburg employees are not eligible to participate. To enter, contestants must submit a drawing depicting, “what Public Works means” to them. Submissions (only one per student) can include drawings of people, projects or vehicles, and must be submitted on 8.5×11-inch sheets of paper. All drawings must include the student’s name, age and phone number or email address on the back of the submission. There is no fee to enter the contest. Drawings (flat, not folded) will be accepted through April 13 (5 p.m.) and can be sent via mail or dropped off to:The EPW Relations Committee, 714 S. Plum Grove Road, Schaumburg, Ill. 60193. Entries will be judged and awarded in three age groups (K through grade 2, grades 3-5 and grades 6-8), and winners will be notified by the end of April. For more information, contact Laurie Walter via email at lwalter@schaumburg.com or call 847-923-6612 — or visit www.villageofschaumburg.com.

Skokie

Brandt begins run as new Skokie Fire Chief

The village reported that Jason Brandt has been appointed as the Skokie Fire Department’s new Fire Chief. Brandt most recently served as a battalion chief, with the ranking of Major, for the Louisville Fire Department, in Kentucky, where he began as a firefighter in 1998. Brandt progressed through the ranks as a fire apparatus operator, company commander and intelligence liaison officer with the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security. In his role as Major, Brandt oversaw daily and emergency operations for seven suppression companies located in five fire stations. He also served as an instructor and subject expert in hazardous materials at the Center for Domestic Preparedness, and was the recipient of a Medal of Valor from the Louisville Division of Fire for rescue efforts at a house fire. Brandt officially began his tenure as Skokie Fire Chief in mid-January. For more information, call 847-673-0500 or visit www.skokie.org.

Park Forest

Ostenburg named co-chair of national council

The village reported that Park Forest Mayor John A. Ostenburg has been appointed co-chair of the National League of Cities (NLC) Race, Equity and Leadership (REAL) Council for 2018. The council has the lead responsibility for developing NLC’s strategic focus on eliminating racial disparities, healing racial divisions and building more equitable communities. The REAL Council was established in 2015 in the aftermath of racial tensions that occurred in several cities throughout the country. Ostenburg has served on the 40-member council since its creation, representing suburban communities that are members of the NLC. With his new appointment, Ostenburg will be entrusted with playing a key role in shaping REAL’s agenda and developing innovative methods to advance racial equity in America’s cities and towns. For more information, call 708-748-1112 or visit www.villageofparkforest.com.

Wheeling

Household battery recycling available at Village Hall

The village announced that it is sponsoring a battery recycling program in conjunction with the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC). A drop-off box is accessible from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at Village Hall, 2 Community Blvd. Rechargeable, NiCd, NiMh, lithium ion, lithium polymer and household alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V) will be accepted. Rechargeable batteries must have tape on contact points or be contained in an individual self-locking plastic bag to avoid sparks. In addition, alkaline batteries must be separated from rechargeable batteries before dropping off. Automotive batteries will not be accepted. For more information, call 847-459-2600 or visit www.wheelingil.gov.

Barrington Hills

Meeting to weigh proposed zoning amendment

The village announced that the Barrington Hills Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) will continue its discussion of a proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance restricting the allowance of signs on open space properties, including deliberating the size and maximum number of signs posted on conservation properties, during its next meeting, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. April 16 at Village Hall, 112 Algonquin Road. Public comments can be shared in person during the meeting or via email at village@vbhil.gov. Details of the proposed amendment are available on the village website at www.barringtonhills-il.gov. For more information, call 847-551-3000 or visit the village website.

–Cook County News Briefs–