Chrissy Metz, one of the stars of NBC’s “This Is Us,” will visit Naperville April 5 to promote her new book, “This Is Me.”

STATE

Prepaid property taxes ruled tax-deductible

Illinois residents who prepaid property taxes last year should be able to deduct them, according to the U.S. Treasury Department.

The department issued this clarification last week in a letter to Rep. Peter Roskam R-Ill.), a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

The new tax law, enacted in December, caps the state and local tax deduction at $10,000 starting for the 2018 tax year. As a result, taxpayers in many high-tax states scrambled to prepay their property taxes before the end of 2017 so they could deduct the full amount.

The IRS issued an advisory shortly after the tax law was signed that said people could deduct prepaid 2018 property taxes only if the taxes were both assessed and paid in 2017. 

Roskam wrote a letter to the Treasury Department seeking clarification that the IRS advisory did not pertain to prepayments of 2017 property taxes, and the Treasury Department agreed.

NAPERVILLE

Environment is focus of Earth Week

Naperville’s second annual Earth Week will begin April 22, which is Earth Day, and continue through April 28. Plans include events and programs focused on sustaining and protecting the environment.

An Earth Day Fair will be held from 12-4 p.m. April 22 at the Naperville Park District’s Fort Hill Activity Center, 20 Fort Hill Dr. The free family-friendly event will feature children’s activities, eco-friendly vendors, green living tips, energy-saving information, an LED light bulb giveaway, environmental education and more.

The City of Naperville’s annual Arbor Day Tree sale will be held from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. April 28 at the Public Works Service Center, 180 Fort Hill Drive. For a list of available trees and prices, go to naperville.il.us/arbordaytreesale.

At the tree sale, attendees can pick up preordered rain barrels and composters. Orders should be placed at upcycle-products.com/napervilleil.html.

Capping Naperville’s Earth Week, WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling, University of Illinois Professor Don Wuebbles, who is a leading scientist in the study of the earth’s climate, and Accenture Global Environment Director Mike Nicholus will participate in an interactive discussion and town hall, “Climate Science and Tomorrow’s Forecast.” The event will be held at 1 p.m. April 28, at the Naperville Central High School auditorium, 440 W. Aurora Ave., Naperville. Registration is required and will be made available to the public on April 22 at napervilleparks.org/earthweek.

Special events and volunteer projects, such as picking up litter, mulching tree rings and labeling storm drains, are listed on the Earth Week Web page at napervilleparks.org/earthweekvolunteeropportunities. For more information, contact Volunteer Manager Lynnette Hoole at 630-848-3606 or lhoole@napervilleparks.org.

‘This Is Us’ actress to promote her book

An actress who has worked her way into the hearts of television-viewing audiences as Katie Girl will appear in Naperville. Chrissy Metz, one of the stars of NBC’s “This Is Us,” will promote her new book, “This Is Me,” 7 p.m. April 5, in North Central College’s Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave.

The book is the Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated actress’s memoir. Tickets are available exclusively at ChrissyMetzAndersons.brownpapertickets.com. The event is being sponsored by Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville.

A book is included in the price of the ticket, and there will be a signing line for those with signing line tickets. In her book, Metz shares her story and what she’s learned from both setbacks and successes. With chapters that alternate from autobiographical to instructional, Metz offers practical applications of her insights.

The critically acclaimed “This Is Us” is among the most-watched series on network TV.

For details about her appearance, visit andersonsbookshop.com.

LOMBARD

Lawyer will explain the steps to adoption

“The Adoption Process from A to Z,” a seminar presented by Chicago and Northbrook attorney Sally Wildman, will be offered by the Helen Plum Library, 110 W. Maple St., Lombard, from 1-3 p.m. April 21.

For additional information, call 630-627-0316. To register for the free seminar, visit helenplum.org/adoption-process-z Registration by April 19, is requested.

Wildman will help prospective parents explore the world of adoption. She will present fundamentals of an adoption and the legal steps involved, with focus on preparing to adopt. Wildman will share resources on choosing adoption agencies, community support and related professionals. Discussion will focus on different types of adoption that are now available. Learn the common needs of adopted children and current trends in “open” adoption.

Wildman is a member of the Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys.

AURORA

Aaron Neville to appear at annual blues fest

Three-time Grammy Award-winner Aaron Neville of The Neville Brothers, will headline two days of big blues entertainers for Aurora’s 22nd annual Blues on the Fox festival June 15 and June 16 at RiverEdge Park.

In addition to Neville, Sonny Landreth, Toronzo Cannon, Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, Elle King and Samantha Fish, will perform.

Fish and King will play a ladies-only lineup Friday, June 15, with gates opening at 6 p.m. Niederauer, Cannon, Landreth and Neville will take the stage after gates open at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 16.

Tickets for either day are $20 until May 31, and $30 starting June 1 at RiverEdgeAurora.com. All tickets are general admission. Guests can claim a limited number of bench seats toward the front of the park or bring lawn chairs and blankets and spread out across the grounds of the stage at 360 N. Broadway.

–DuPage News Briefs–