The Dutch Reach is now law in Illinois.

STATE

Dutch Reach is new law in Illinois

Think Dutch Reach when you exit a vehicle.

Typically, most drivers use their left hand to open the driver’s door. But now according to a law that Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed, drivers have to use their right hand.

The reasoning behind this is that by using your right hand, your body and your eyes will be facing more to the right. By doing so, you will be more likely to spot oncoming traffic (bicyclists, other vehicles) that could collide with an open car door.

The General Assembly approved the law based on Illinois Department of Transportation data showing dooring crashes are on the rise across the state.

This new rule affects passengers also. Passengers will need to use their left hand when exiting,

The Dutch Reach is already included in the 2018 edition of Illinois Rules of Road and, under the terms of the legislation, will be included in the pool of questions for the Illinois Secretary of State’s driver’s exam beginning on Jan. 1.

This new law comes on the heels of another one about distracted driving. The new law will up the penalty for first-time offenders who are caught texting while driving.

The law will reclassify the first offense as a moving violation. Currently, first-time offenders caught texting and driving are given a ticket that is classified as a less serious nonmoving violation. The change for first-time offenders goes into effect July 1, 2019.

COUNTY

DeKalb buys Kane County’s used voting machines

In a cost-saving move, DeKalb County officials have approved the purchase of used voting machines from Kane County. The machines will replace DeKalb’s 20-year-old machines. The county approved the purchase because the old machines need repairs, and parts are now hard to find.

DeKalb is paying Kane County $2,200 for each or 42 machines, for a total cost is $92,400.

New machines cost between $4,000-$5,000.

The money to buy the machines will come from the county’s Opportunity Fund, which is used for bargain opportunities such as this, or for investments that would benefit the county’s future.

DeKALB

Richard Jenkins-curated film series at the Egyptian

The Egyptian Theatre will host a special weekly series featuring movies chosen by an actor with two Academy Award nominations. Richard Jenkins – who is a DeKalb native – is in all films that will be shown at 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 4 through Oct. 30, at the theater, 135 N. Second St., DeKalb.

Jenkins received a Best Actor Oscar nomination for his performance in “The Visit” and a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for “The Shape of Water.”

The nine movies, and their dates, are:

• Sept. 4: “Dear John”
• Sept. 11: “Eat Pray Love”
• Sept. 18: “Flirting with Disaster”
• Sept. 25: “Bone Tomahawk”
• Oct. 2: “North Country”
• Oct. 9: “The Visitor”
• Oct. 16: “Step Brothers”
• Oct. 23: “Norman”
• Oct. 30: “The Shape of Water”

MAPLE PARK

Annual fun fest slated for weekend

Maple Park’s annual Fun Fest will be held Sept 1-3. It will feature a car show, craft show, bags tournament, parade, live entertainment, 5K race/2-mile walk, kid’s zone, softball tournament, petting zoo, bike parade, food and beer garden and fireworks. Hours are 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 1; 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 2 and 8 a.m.-noon Sept. 3. Admission is free.

Founded in 1998, Fun Fest began as a local softball tournament, but was expanded to include a parade and fireworks, and now features the other activities.

The weekend event kicks off Sept. 1 with the Romp in the Park, a 5K run at 8 a.m. and a 2-mile walk at 8:05 a.m. from the Maple Park Fire Department. Registration fee is $20 for the run and $15 for the walk. Participants may sign up on the day of the race.

The parade will be held at 6 p.m. Sept. 1 on Main Street, with classic cars, marching bands and floats. The parade will be held rain or shine.

The fest concludes Sept. 3 with a men’s slo-pitch softball tournament at 8 a.m. It is also the rain date for the fireworks show, if needed. The fireworks display will start at 8:30 p.m.

Times and days for some of the other activities are:

• 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 1: craft and vendor sale;
• 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 1: Randy Little Memorial Bean Bags Tournament;
• 2-3 p.m. Sept. 1: Toilet Bowl races;
• 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 2: car show, and
• 8:30 p.m. Sept. 2: fireworks show.

A complete schedule can be found at mapleparkfunfest.com.

SANDWICH

Fair continues its long tradition

As has happened since 1888, the Sandwich fairgrounds will come alive in September for five days to showcase exhibitors’ fruits of their labors, carnival rides, food, live entertainment and other activities. This year’s Sandwich Fair will be held Sept. 5-Sept. 9, at the fairgrounds, 15730 Pratt Road, Sandwich.

Country music superstar Justin Moore, the entertainment headliner, will perform at 8 p.m. Sept. 7. Moore has charted 11 times on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, including with the No. 1 singles “Small Town USA” and “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away.” Tickets are $35.

The contemporary Christian band Carrollton performs at 7 p.m. Sept. 5. Tickets are free with fair admission.

The Western Horse Show is at 9 a.m. and harness racing at 11 a.m. Sept. 5.

The ever-popular demolition derbies are at 1 and 3:30 p.m. Sept. 9.

Children’s Day is Sept. 5 and kids 12 and under get in free all day.

Other highlights will include vendors selling a variety of wares, culinary competitions, truck pulls, draft horse shows, live music and entertainment on the Home Arts and Ag Land stages and a worship service and car show on Sept. 9.

The most enduring aspect of the fair remains the number of people showing their livestock, horticulture, collectibles, a connection to the fair’s history.

Gates will open at 8 a.m. Buildings will open 9 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. Admission is $9 for adults and $6 for children 6-1. Children 5 and under will be admitted free. For more Information, call 815-786-2159 or go to sandwichfair.com.

–DeKalb County News Briefs–