Cook County News Briefs

Chronicle Media
Avenues To Independence is a nonprofit organization that provides homes, jobs and community living programs to area adults with physical, intellectual and other developmental disabilities.

Avenues To Independence is a nonprofit organization that provides homes, jobs and community living programs to area adults with physical, intellectual and other developmental disabilities.

Schaumburg

Village earns annual statewide rental inspection award

The village recently received the Illinois Association of Code Enforcement’s Agency of the Year Award for 2015 in recognition of its single-family home rental inspection program. The program ensures that rental properties are being maintained safely, and that the village strives to maintain a high-quality housing stock, and a clean and attractive community. As part of the program, all rented single-family homes will be inspected once every three years. Previously, all rental homes were inspected on a complaint-basis only. Schaumburg has approximately 300 single-family homes being used as rental properties.

Park Ridge

Avenues To Independence receives contribution from AT&T

Avenues To Independence — a nonprofit organization located at 515 Busse Highway that provides homes, jobs and community living programs to area adults with physical, intellectual and other developmental disabilities — was presented with a $75,000 contribution from AT&T Illinois last month. The contribution will support Avenues’ Computer Training Program, which helps participants with developmental disabilities find meaningful and gainful employment, learn valuable job skills, utilize new communication tools, and enrich their everyday lives. State Sen. Julie Morrison (D-29th), State Rep. Elaine Nekritz (D-57th) and Michael P. McAuliffe (R-20th) were on hand for the presentation of the check.

Wheeling

Library hosting pair of kids’ events

Indian Trails Public Library, 355 Schoenbeck Road, will host Toddler Drive-in Movie (for ages 2-5, with a caregiver) from 10-10:30 a.m. Dec. 23 in its Large Meeting Room. Participants will decorate a toy car to take home, enjoy a snack and watch a short movie. Free tickets will be distributed 30 minutes prior to the start of the program. In addition, Winter Craft (for grades K-5) will be held from 1-2 p.m. the same day. Participants will make a winter craft to take home or give as a gift. No registration is required. For more information, call Youth Services at (847) 459-4100, ext. 316 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.

Des Plaines

City networking group hosting pair of sessions

The Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce & Industry announced that the DEN Group (Des Plaines Executive Networking) will host its next two weekly sessions from 8-9 a.m. Dec. 23 and Dec. 30 at the Frisbie Senior Center, 52 E. Northwest Highway. The DEN Group is an industry-specific networking group which meets to trade business referrals, and provides the opportunity for members to build productive, long-term

relationships with other business professionals to encourage professional growth. The meetings include breakfast, and are intended for industries and businesses in good standing with the Chamber. For more information, call (847) 824-4200 or visit www.dpchamber.com.

Cicero

Workforce Center offers incentives to employers

The Cicero Workforce Center, 2138 S. 61st Court, is now offering area-wide employers incentives to hire individuals into specific career paths. The center can provide up to $10,000 in reimbursements to employees for hiring and training qualified individuals, and can invoice the state on behalf of the employer. The Cicero Workforce Center also offers additional services and resources to low-income or unemployed area-wide residents. For more information, call Industry Staffing Specialist Hugo Avila at (708) 222-3100, Ext. 1308.

Rosemont

Nordstrom to open new outlet store in village

The village announced that Seattle-based Nordstrom, Inc. plans to open a Nordstrom Rack store at Fashion Outlets of Chicago, located at 5220 Fashion Outlets Way (between Balmoral and West Foster avenues). The approximately 28,000-sqaure-foot store is scheduled to open in the fall of 2016, and will join 130 designer outlets at the center. Nordstrom Rack is the off-price retail division of Nordstrom, Inc., offering customers a wide selection of apparel, accessories and shoes at everyday savings up to 30-70 percent off regular retail prices.

Mount Prospect

Library to host drawing program for teens

The Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St., will host Open Drawing Session for Teens from 2:30-4 p.m. Dec. 29. The program offers teens an opportunity to practice new techniques or use different drawing materials, including pastels, colored pencils, graphite, and pen and ink. Instructional materials, as well as a staff person with drawing experience, will be on hand. Participants must bring their own sketchbooks. Registration is required. For more information, call (847) 253-5675 or visit www.mppl.org.

Elk Grove Village

Mayor nets annual award for small business support

Mayor Craig Johnson was the recipient of the 2015 Small Business Advocate Award, which was presented by U.S. Conference of Mayors representative Jeff Bean during a special visit to the village, in October. The award recognizes mayors and communities that have demonstrated leadership and partnership as part of a commitment to supporting small businesses. Johnson was nominated by Schaumburg Mayor Al Larson, a past recipient.

Tinley Park

Police Dept. unveils new-look squad cars

The Tinley Park Police Department recently unveiled its newly designed squad cars. The new design puts greater emphasis on the words, “Tinley Park Police,” printed on the side doors by using larger letters than the previous design. It also incorporates the American flag on the rear glass, and new safety graphics on the rear of the vehicles. The new design keeps some elements from the previous design, including the traditional navy blue color and the village seal. The new design will be added to new cars in the fleet, including 12 SUVs already in service.

Burbank

Library to host music-oriented family program

The Prairie Trails Public Library, 8449 Moody Ave., will present Family Jam Tales, a storytime program geared for the entire family, from 6:30-7 p.m. Dec. 28 in the library’s Amy Jarrett Room. The program will feature a wide variety of stories, music and more. No registration is required. For more information, call (708) 430-3688 or visit www.prairietrailslibrary.org.

Berwyn

Library to hold session of ESL Study Group

The Berwyn Public Library, 2701 S. Harlem Ave., will host ESL Study Group at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 23. The English-as-a-second-language study group is for beginner and adult learners looking to improve English listening, speaking, reading and writing. Anyone is welcome to attend. For more information, call (708) 795-8000, Ext. 3089 or visit www.berwynlibrary.org.

–Cook County News Briefs–