Brookfield reported that its Community and Economic Development Department (CEDD) was the first-place finisher in the Public Agency category during regional competition in the 2016 Bike Community Challenge, sponsored by the Active Transportation Alliance.

Deerfield

Village ranked ninth on ‘10 Most Successful Cities’ list

The village reported that career website Zippia.com recently ranked Deerfield as the ninth most successful community among 340 communities statewide on its “10 Most Successful Cities in Illinois” list. The Zippia.com study ranked communities based on poverty level, median household income and the local unemployment rate. During the time of the study, Deerfield had a population of 18,476, a median income of $135,754, a poverty rate of 2.6 percent and an unemployment rate of 5.8 percent. For more information regarding the study, including a list of rankings, visit www.zippia.com/advice/most-successful-cities-in-illinois/ — or call the village at 847-945-5000.

Buffalo Grove

School Dist. 102 earns national music education award

Aptakisic-Tripp School District 102 reported that the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Foundation named Dist. 102 among its Best Communities for Music Education in the United States. Dist. 102 — including Aptakisic Junior High School, Meridian Middle School, Patchett Elementary School and Tripp Elementary School — was one of only 476 school districts across the entire country to receive the prestigious award in 2016. The Best Communities for Music Education designation recognizes the commitment of schools, teachers, parents, and district and community leaders who believe in music education and work to ensure that it is part of a compete education for all children. The NAMM Foundation is a non-profit organization that advances active participation in music study by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs. For more information, call 847-353-5650 or visit www.d102.org.

Schaumburg

Stamp & Scrapbook Expo on tap at Renaissance Hotel

The village announced that the 2016 Stamp & Scrapbook Expo will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 19 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 20 at Renaissance Hotel & Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive. The expo will feature dozens of exhibitors representing the stamping and scrapbooking industry, and a wide variety of workshops with professional instructors on hand. The two-day event includes a Creativity Center, the Saturday Scraptacular, make-and-take projects, a card swap, crop parties, a guest artist, swag bags, door prizes, gift cards, early bird shopping, keepsake buttons and more. General admission is $10, and free for ages 12 and under. Special event tickets require additional fees. Online pre-registration ($8 admission) ends at midnight Aug. 17. For more information, call (882) 252-3976 or visit www.scrapbookexpo.com.

Brookfield

Village dept. scores top finish in Bike Community Challenge

The village reported that its Community and Economic Development Department (CEDD) was the first-place finisher in the Public Agency category during regional competition in the 2016 Bike Community Challenge, sponsored by the Active Transportation Alliance. For 25 years, the Bike Commuter Challenge has promoted bicycle commuting among businesses, non-profit organizations and public agencies in the greater Chicago area. This year’s event was held June 10-17, and featured 268 teams with 3,635 participants. Teams were ranked based on the percentage of employees who took at least one trip to work by bike during the allotted time period. The Brookfield CEDD won its category with a participation rate of 67 percent, which also ranked 16th among all participating teams. Overall, Brookfield employees took 39 trips for a total of 307.2 miles. For more information, call (708) 485-7344 or visit www.brookfieldil.gov.

Palos Heights

Library to co-host Shredding and E-Recycling Event

The city announced that the Palos Heights Public Library and Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens are co-sponsoring a Shredding and E-Recycling Event from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 20 in the library’ s parking lot, located at 12501 S. 71st Ave. The event also includes a Prescription Drug Drop-Off, hosted by the Palos Heights Police Department. Participants can bring up to five boxes of paper (per person) to be shredded on-site. Acceptable electronics include servers, desktop computers, laptops, flat-panel computer monitors, UPSs (uninterrupted power supplies) and wire, copiers, printers/toners, docking stations, power adapters, electronic mice and other computer-related materials. To view a list of non-accepted electronics items, visit www.palosheights.org. For more information, call the library at (708) 448-1473.

Tinley Park

County gives village nod to head roadway improvements

The village reported that Cook County officials have allowed Tinley Park to serve as the lead agency for roadway improvements along 175th Street from Oak Park Avenue to Ridgeland Avenue; Ridgeland Avenue from 175th Street to Oak Forest Avenue; and Oak Forest Avenue from Ridgeland Avenue to 67th Street. The project will include lowering 175th Street, and installing curb and gutters from Oak Park to Ridgeland avenues on 175th Street, and also along Ridgeland Avenue north of 175th Street. New pavement will feature a three-lane cross section that will allow one lane in each direction with bi-directional left turns. The project also will include storm sewers, streetlights and sidewalk improvements, as well as upgrades to Tinley Park High School. The Cook County Department of Transportation will reimburse the village for the environmental report update and design engineering for the roadway improvements. Pending Cook County construction funding, the project could begin in early 2018 and is projected to take about one year to complete. For more information, call (708) 444-5000 or visit www.tinleypark.org.

Des Plaines

Williams named new Controller at Oakton Community College

Oakton Community College reported that its Board of Trustees recently approved the selection of Wright “Andy” Williams as the college’s new Controller. Williams joins Oakton from the College of Lake County, where he served in a similar capacity: leading and supervising the budgeting, accounting, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cashier’s office, food service and campus service departments. Prior to his employment with the College of Lake County, Williams served in various leadership capacities in the areas of business, budget and policy with Oak Park Township, the City of Chicago, the Government Finance Officers Association and the Boy Scouts of America.

–Cook County News Briefs–