The 2017 Rock ‘N’ Run the Runway event will be held July 1 at Chicago Executive Airport, 1070 S. Milwaukee Ave.

Lake County

 State’s Attorney’s Office launches new misdemeanor program

Lake County State’s Attorney Michael G. Nerheim announced that the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office has launched its Misdemeanor Alternative Prosecution Program for qualified first-time, non-violent offenders. In exchange for accepting responsibility for their criminal conduct, these individuals will have the opportunity to keep a conviction from being permanently entered on their record, thereby avoiding the impact a conviction may present over a lifetime. Upon successful completion of the program, the State’s Attorney’s Office will vacate the defendant’s guilty plea and dismiss the charges. The defendant then will have the opportunity to immediately file for an expungement of the record. The Misdemeanor Alternative Prosecution Program is intended to give deserving defendants a second chance and the opportunity to avoid being labeled a convicted criminal. For more information, call (847) 377-3000 or visit www.lakecountyil.gov.

Carrier named LCDOT Director of Planning & Programming

The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) announced that Kevin Carrier has been selected as its new Director of Planning & Programming. In his new role, Carrier will be responsible for the planning, programming and township supervision activities of LCDOT. He also will help coordinate transportation-related activities with municipal and township partners, as well as the Lake County Forest Preserves. As director, Carrier will lead the team of LCDOT project managers that are responsible for managing major capital improvement projects, including planning, design and construction. Carrier began working for LCDOT as a design engineer in 2014, and also served as Pavement Management Coordinator. He began his civil engineering career at McClure Engineering, in Waukegan, and served as Project Manager and Assistant Division Manager during his nine years with the firm. Carrier earned a Math and Physics degree from Augustana College, and a Civil Engineering degree form the University of Illinois.

Highland Park

Series of meetings seek input on possible library expansion

The city and the Highland Park Public Library are hosting a series of open-house format community meetings to gather input about a possible expansion of the library that would create a community campus. The potential project includes expansion of the library, improved parking and traffic flow, and relocation of the city’s Senior Center into an adjoining building, as well as Youth Services. Public engagement and feedback is considered a critical component of the potential project. The meetings will be held in the pre-session conference room at City Hall, 1707 St. Johns Ave., as follows: 7 p.m. June 28, 3 p.m. July 11, 8:30 a.m. July 13, 7 p.m. July 17 and 3 p.m. Aug. 3. In addition to the meetings, residents will have an opportunity to complete a survey that will be available July 1-15 on the city’s website at www.cityhpil.com/libraryexpansion. All feedback will be compiled and presented to the City Council at a Committee of the Whole meeting in August. For more information, call City Manager Ghida Neukrich at (847) 926-1000 or Highland Park Library Director Jane Conway at (847) 432-0720.

Grayslake

Aquatic Center nets pair of energy efficiency grants

The village announced that the Esper A. Petersen Foundation Family Aquatic Center, 250 Library Lane, was recently awarded two energy efficiency grants, totaling $17,069, through the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity’s Illinois Energy Now program. With assistance from the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus and the 360 Energy Group, the village was able to secure the grants to help complete two energy savings projects that would significantly lower the price of annual energy costs for the facility. The first project includes the installation of variable frequency drives on the pool’s five filter pumps. This will provide the facility with consumption savings of approximately 68,730 kilowatt hours of energy at an energy cost savings of nearly $6,900. The second project includes the retrofitting of 92 exterior lights throughout the facility to high-efficiency LED lights. This project will achieve an annual energy cost savings of $4,535. Both energy efficiency projects are anticipated to achieve a return on investment within the first year after completion. For more information, call (847) 223-8515 or visit www.villageofgrayslake.com.

Fox Lake

 Lee named as new Fox Lake Chief of Police

The village announced that Jimmy Lee, a 30-year veteran police officer who has served as the Fox Lake Police Department’s interim Deputy Chief for the last 18 months, will now lead the department as its new Chief of Police. Lee was appointed interim Deputy Chief in January 2016, and worked alongside now-retired chief Russell Laine to restructure the department, increase officer training, and revise dated policies and practices. Prior to his appointment as interim Deputy Chief, Lee worked at Gold Shield Investigations, a private company he founded in 2007. The village retained Gold Shield in the summer of 2015 to perform an internal investigation. Since that time, Lee has been instrumental in reviewing and updating key department policies regarding use of force, cameras in squad cars, non-biased policing and evidence collection. Lee previously served 28 years with the Roselle Police Department, beginning as a patrol officer in 1982. He became the agency’s second in command in 2003, and served as acting Chief of Police for several months in 2008. Lee was sworn in as the permanent Fox Lake Chief of Police on June 13.

Wheeling

Airport to host 2017 Rock ’N’ Run Runway event

The 2017 Rock ‘N’ Run the Runway event will be held July 1 at Chicago Executive Airport, 1070 S. Milwaukee Ave. The event begins with Run the Runway, a 5K run and 1-mile walk on a USATF-certified course, at 8 a.m. sharp. Medals for first-place finishers will be awarded in a variety of men’s and women’s age groups. Registration is $45 in advance (online at www.rockthe runway.com) and $50 the day of the event (cash only). All proceeds and donations will benefit the Chicago Executive Pilots Association’s PAPA scholarship fund. The

event continues at 5 p.m. with Rock the Runway, featuring a variety of food trucks, beer and wine vendors, balloon artists, face painting, a kiddie train and fireworks (9:15 p.m.). Live music will be provided by 7th Heaven (8:15-9:15 p.m.; 9:30-10:30 p.m.) and Gone Country (6-7:30 p.m.). Admission is free. For more information, call (847) 459-2600 or visit www.rocktherunway.com.

–Lake County News Briefs–