WCMC BREAKFAST
Master of ceremonies Cook County Commissioner Peter Silvestri (9th District) joins state Sen. Don Harmon (left), state Treasurer Mike Frerichs and his daughter, Ellie, at the West Central Municipal Conference Breakfast in Elmwood Park last week. Commissioners Jeffrey Tobolski (16th) and Brandon Johnson (1st) joined Congressman Mike Quigley (D-5th) and a number of state representatives and senators. The WCMC represents 40 communities in West Cook and Eastern DuPage counties.

Oak Park

Village to host open house on Madison St. project

The village will host an open house concerning major improvements planned for Madison Street from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 21 at Percy Julian Middle School, 416 S. Ridgeland Ave. The event offers attendees an opportunity to learn about the details of a project that will convert the east-west roadway to three lanes and incorporate pedestrian-friendly attributes, including accessible ramps, marked crosswalks, bump-outs to reduce distances at crossings, mid-street pedestrian refuges and enhanced crossing signals. In addition to the pedestrian safety features, the project also will include new pavement from Harlem Avenue to Austin Boulevard, additional parking spaces, marked bicycle lanes and protected public transit bus stops. Major infrastructure improvements also are part of the project, including new and refurbished underground sewer lines along portions of the street. Representatives from the village and the engineering firm overseeing construction will be available at the open house to answer questions about parking, driveway access, project timelines and other construction-related topics. Attendees also will be able to view a full project map and design renderings, and sign up for project updates via email as well. For more information, call 708-383-6400 or visit www.oak-park.us.

Oak Forest

AFFI Honor Guard slots Moss as Deputy Commander

The city reported that Oak Forest Fire Department (OFFD) Deputy Chief Tim Moss was inducted as the Northern Deputy Commander of the Associated Firefighters of Illinois (AFFI) Honor Guard during the AFFI Honor Guard Convention on Jan. 26. As a line-of-duty death benefit, the AFFI Honor Guard provides dignified, honorable services for fallen AFFI members, their surviving family members, and union brothers and sisters through organization of and participation in funeral and memorial services. For more information, call 708-687-6050 or visit www.oak-forest.org.

Evanston

Police report reduction in crashes along Ridge Ave.

The Evanston Police Department reported an approximate 13 percent reduction in traffic crashes on the Ridge Avenue Corridor (Ridge Avenue from Howard to Emerson streets) in 2018 as compared to 2017. There were 241 crashes reported in 2018, down from 278 in 2017. The intersection of Lake Street and Ridge Avenue, along with the intersection of Greenwood Street and Ridge, had the most improvements with traffic crashes down 58 percent at both locations. The reduction in crashes is credited to a traffic initiative that was a coordinated effort between the Police Department, City of Evanston traffic engineers and other city officials, including 4th Ward Alderman Donald Wilson. The goal of the initiative was to increase safety and address citizen traffic complaints along the Ridge Avenue Corridor, especially between Greenleaf and Church streets. Additional efforts to make the Ridge Avenue Corridor safer included reducing the speed limit from 30 to 25 mph; traffic signal operational changes; improved traffic control signage; and tree trimming to increase visibility. For more information, call 847-448-4311 or visit www.cityofevanston.org. 

Hoffman Estates

Therapy Dog Thursday on tap at Village Hall

The village announced that Health and Human Services will host Therapy Dog Thursday from 5:30-7:30 p.m Feb. 28 at Village Hall (south entrance), 1900 Hassell Road. The event is an opportunity for residents to interact with therapy dogs and learn more about the benefits of therapy. Therapy dogs and their owners from Therapy Dogs International will be on-site providing comfort and education. Studies have shown that therapy dogs can reduce stress, help individuals cope with physical and mental issues, and reduce blood pressure. To sign up, and for more information, call 847-781-4850 — or visit www.hoffmanestates.org.

Buffalo Grove

Milas, village earn awards from public works group

Forestry and Grounds Manager Tom Milas, an employee of the Buffalo Grove Public Works Department, recently received the 2019 Professional Manager of the Year Award from the Lake Branch of the Chicago Metro Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA). In addition, the village was honored with the APWA’s Management Innovation Award for Efficient Service Delivery. Milas was recognized for inspiring excellence, and for providing leadership and dedication to the public good in the areas of facilities and/or grounds maintenance. Included among Milas’ major accomplishments considered for award designation were his successful management of the Buffalo Grove Emerald Ash Borer project; the improvement of general maintenance procedures and programs within the Public Works Department; and for creating ecologically responsible alternatives to traditional landscape plans. The village was recognized for creative and/or innovative ideas that improve the delivery of public services. Tools utilized by the village that were considered for award designation include the digitization of daily vehicle checks (eliminating the need for paper); using interns instead of a consulting firm to inspect storm structures; and posting benchmark and construction project information to a publicly viewable map through geographic information systems (GIS). For more information, call 847-459-2500 or visit www.vbg.org.

Wheeling

Park District’s Klumpp nets statewide service award

The Wheeling Park District announced that Cheri Klumpp, a Park District Board Commissioner since 1993, recently was honored by the Illinois Association of Park Districts with the Board Member Service Award. Klumpp received the award in recognition of her 25 years of dedication to the Wheeling community. Improvements and upgrades that have occurred during her tenure include the opening of both the Family Aquatic Center and the Community Recreation Center (CRC); renovations at Traditions Golf Course and Chevy Chase Country Club; the redevelopment of Heritage Park; and the CRC Renovation & Expansion Project, which is on track for completion in 2019. For more information, call 847-465-3333 or visit www.wheelingparkdistrict.com.

–Cook County News Briefs–