A young angler waits to see if he has caught a big one. Youngsters 15 and younger are invited to participate in the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s 32nd annual Just for Kids Fishing Derby, slated for June 10. Register at dupageforest.org or by calling Visitor Services at 630-933-7248.

STATE

Pilot program will allow parents to bring infants to work

Mothers, fathers and legal guardians who work for the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to be able to bring their infants to work in the early months of parenthood, under a new pilot program. Called Infant at Work, the idea is based on the long-term health value of breastfeeding newborns and infant-parent bonding.

The Infant at Work program is expected to provide numerous benefits for participants, including healthy infant brain development, parental well-being and critical bonding.

The program, which has been successful in other states around the country, was developed with input from the IDPH Office of Women’s Health and Family Services as well as parents with infants, is designed to lower daycare costs, increase family supports, provide more breastfeeding opportunities for mothers, and give fathers the ability to be more involved with their babies. Moreover, the Infant at Work program is expected to reduce the amount of time parents are away from work, help new parents manage the difficult transition back to the workplace, and ultimately improve morale at the agency.  

Parents with infants between four weeks and six months of age are eligible to participate, depending on their job duties and location. After 24 months, the program will be evaluated to determine if it is suitable for other state agencies. 

COUNTY

Youngsters can cast a line at fishing derby

Anglers 15 and younger can improve their skills and compete for prizes in the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s 32nd annual Just for Kids Fishing Derby.

Youngsters are invited to the free family event from 8 a.m. to noon June 10, at Silver Lake in Blackwell Forest Preserve near Warrenville. Register at dupageforest.org or by calling Visitor Services at 630-933-7248 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Children also can register at the event.

Prizes will be awarded to winners in four age groups for the largest fish in three species categories – bass, bluegill and miscellaneous – as well as to winners of the casting contest.

The main entrance to Blackwell is on the north side of Butterfield Road, a quarter-mile west of Winfield Road and a mile east of Route 59.

ELMHURST

Student to represent York in national contest

A York High School student has advanced to a national competition after placing first in his category at the SkillsUSA Illinois Championships. By placing first in the Technical Drafting CAD Competition, Joseph Gemini has qualified to compete at the National SkillsUSA Competition and Conference to be held the last week of June in Louisville, Kentucky.

Matthew Shepherd, also of York, was awarded second place in screen printing in the state competition.

NAPERVILLE

South side is location for new farmers market

Naperville will have a third farmers market when this summer’s season of open-air markets begins. The new venue will be on the city’s south side.

It will be the first one to service that part of the city. The city has two other markets — the Naperville Farmers Market on 5th Avenue on Saturdays and the Farmers Market at St. John’s on Wednesdays — both near downtown on the city’s north side.

The new venue is the brainchild of officials at the Naperville Park District and 95^th Street Library.

It will take time for the new market to grow, but nearly a dozen sellers have already committed to the new venue, and will sell vegetables, bread, cookies, cakes, olive oil, vinegars and jams and jellies. The market, which be named the 95th Street Farmers Market, will be located at 3015 Cedar Glade Drive and open for business from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursdays from June 7 to Sept. 27.

The other two markets are the Farmers Market at St. John’s, 750 Aurora Ave., which will be open from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays from May 30 to Sept. 19; and the Naperville Farmers Market, 200 E. Fifth Ave., which will be open from 7 a.m. to noon Saturdays from June 2 to Oct. 27.

WHEATON

Tobacco sales age rises to 21

Starting July 1, customers have to be at least 21 years old to purchase tobacco-related products in Wheaton stores. Wheaton has joined several west suburban communities in raising the tobacco sales age to 21. City officials recently voted to increase the age, following suit with other west suburban communities that have taken similar action.

Previously the minimum age to buy cigarettes was 18. Under the new ordinance, residents will have to be 21 or older to buy cigarettes, e-cigarettes and other tobacco products. 

The measure follows a nationwide push to raise the tobacco purchasing age to 21 due to an increasing number of teens vaping pod systems, and it has support in Springfield. The Illinois Senate recently voted 35-20 to ban tobacco sales to anyone under age 21. The ban would extend to e-cigarettes and vaping materials. The bill now needs Illinois House approval.

–DuPage County News Briefs–