Cook County Commissioners Tim Schneider (left) and Peter N. Silvestri (right) join Board of Review Commissioner Michael Cabonargi (second from left) state Rep. Ann Williams (center) and Enza Raineri, president of the joint civic committee of Italian Americans at the annual Columbus Day parade on State Street.

Cook County

Dist. 230 director Gonzalez earns national honor

The Center for Digital Education (CDE) — a national research and advisory institute specializing in K-12 and higher education technology trends, policy and funding — recently named Consolidated High School District 230 Director of Curriculum Instruction Dr. Stacy Gonzalez as a Top 30 Technologists, Transformers & Trailblazers 2017 Honoree. The top 30 winners were selected based on their efforts to improve education through effective implementation of technology-rich solutions; their impact on student outcomes; and their overall initiative, creativity and leadership skills. Gonzalez, hired by District 230 in 2015, holds a doctorate in Instructional Technology from Northern Illinois University, master’s degrees in Educational Leadership and English from Governors State University, and a bachelor’s degree in English from St. Xavier University. District 230 includes Carl Sandburg High School (Orland Park), Andrews High School (Tinley Park) and Stagg High School (Palos Hills). For more information, call (708) 745-5203 or visit www.d230org. 

Wheeling

Board of Health to hold Community Blood Drive

The village announced that the Wheeling Board of Health will hold its Community Blood Drive from 2-7 p.m. Nov. 8 at Wheeling Village Hall, 2 Community Blvd. Blood donors of all types are needed for critically ill patients, accident victims, people needing surgery and patients suffering from chronic diseases, including cancer and leukemia. It is estimated that every pint of blood donated will help save three lives. To schedule an appointment, contact Health Officer Serena Klinger at (847) 499-9048 or via email at sklinger@wheelingil.gov. Walk-ins are welcome. For more information, visit www.wheelingil.gov.

Deer Park

Santa’s Arrival & Fireworks event on tap

The village, along with Barrington VFW Post 7706, will host Santa’s Arrival & Fireworks from 6-8:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at Deer Park Town Center, 20530 N. Rand Road. Attendees can watch Santa Claus arrive in a fire truck, count down with Santa to turn on the holiday lights, and then enjoy a fireworks extravaganza (beginning shortly after 6 p.m.) with a finale honoring U.S. military veterans. Santa will be available to visit with children until 8:30 p.m. Kids who visit with Santa will receive a free bag of “magical reindeer food,” while supplies last. For more information, call (847) 726-1648 or visit www.villageofdeerpark.com.

Buffalo Grove

Public Works Dept. earns national award

The village announced that the Buffalo Grove Public Works Department received the Cartegraph Excellence in Operations Management Award during the organization’s national conference, held Oct. 13, in Denver. The award highlights local government bodies that demonstrate forward-thinking through daily operations and practice organizational efficiency on an ongoing basis. The Public Works Department has been using Cartegraph software since 2014 to collect citizen requests, assign tasks to employees, and manage work in the field. Using this technology also has enabled the department to proficiently track time, materials and labor costs associated with tasks performed by Public Works. The department can now quickly analyze the true costs of services provided to the Buffalo Grove community and initiate cost savings wherever possible. For more information, call the Public Works Department at (847) 459-2545 or visit www.vbg.org.

Park Forest

New business to open at long-vacant property

The village reported that an office and industrial building, located at 80 North St. and vacant for nearly 10 years, is under new ownership. The property had been owned by the village since 2010 after being acquired via judicial deed. Park Forest board members finalized a real estate purchase agreement for the sale of the building for $500,000. The new owners plan to invest a total of $8.5 million in the property over the next three years, and an additional $5.5 million in years four through 10. Following renovation, the building will serve as headquarters for ForeBio Nutrition, Inc., a nutritional supplement manufacturing company, and employ 30 to 40 workers. Plans for the property also include rehabilitation of the building’s office space to be leased to other businesses. For more information, call (708) 748-1112 or visit www.villageofparkforest.com.

Skokie

Funeral home named Business of the Year

The village announced that Haben Funeral Home, 8057 Niles Center Road, was named the 2017 Skokie Business of the Year during a recent Village Board meeting. Representatives from Haben received a plaque and an engraved trophy, to be displayed at the funeral home for one year. Haben Funeral Home is owned and operated by the same family that started the business more than 90 years ago. The Consumer Affairs Commission reviewed approximately 150 ballots nominating 20 different businesses. The three runner-up winners are Ace Hardware, 5035 Oakton St.; Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave.; and Tolziens Auto Service, 7877 Lincoln Ave. For more information, call (847) 933-8224 or visit www.skokie.org.

Hoffman Estates

Public Works to host annual Open House

The village announced that the Department of Public Works will host its annual Open House from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 4 at the Susan H. Kenley-Rupnow Public Works Center, 2305 Pembroke Ave. Residents and their families will have an opportunity to explore a number of Public Works vehicles and pieces of equipment, including large tandem axle trucks, an end loader and an aerial lift truck. Guests can also take a ride in one of the department’s large snowplow trucks, and learn about the village’s water and sewer system, snow and ice operations, and more. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information, call (847) 490-6800 or visit www.hoffmanestates.org.

Elk Grove Village

Village to begin final round of leaf pick-up

The village announced that the final round of leaf pick-up will begin on Nov. 13 and end on Nov. 22. Leaves should be placed in a yard waste collection bag (no plastic bags). A landscape waste sticker is not required. For residents who still have leaves after the final collection date, the village is offering disposal in dumpsters placed at two locations: James P. Petri Public Works Facility, 600 Landmeier Road (Nov. 13 to Dec. 8); and Fire Station 10 (parking lot), 676 Meacham Road (Nov. 20 to Dec. 8). For more information, call (847) 734-8800 or visit www.elkgrove.com. 

–Cook County News Briefs–