Ty Warner, founder and chairman of Ty, Inc., has created Cecil the Lion Beanie Baby in memory of the heralded lion, tragically killed on July 2, in Africa.

Arlington Heights

Resurfacing work affects Route 53 traffic flow

An Illinois Department of Transportation road resurfacing project on Rand Road/Route 12, north of the Route 53 interchange, has reduced daytime-hours traffic to one lane in each direction from Arlington Heights Road to Lake Cook Road. An IDOT report targeted Oct. 15 as the completion date for the project, executed by Arrow Road Construction Co. and Healy Asphalt Co., of Mount Prospect.
Six District 214 high schools earn high rankings
High School District 214 reported that each of its six comprehensive schools (Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove, John Hersey, Prospect, Rolling Meadows and Wheeling high schools) were named among the top 50 in the state, based on the 2015 U.S. News Best High Schools list, and all six also were named among the nation’s Most Challenging High Schools, by the Washington Post. Among more than 21,000 schools nationally studied, District 214’s schools ranked in the top 1,150. In Illinois, District 214’s six schools ranked in the top 42 among more than 600 schools reviewed.

Cook County

Cook County offers business loan financing

Cook County has created several business loan programs in order to provide low-cost gap-financing for growing and emerging companies. The BUILT 50-40 Loan Program provides low-cost financing for businesses expanding in — or relocating to — Cook County. The program can finance up to 40 percent of total project costs in loan
amounts ranging between $35,000 and $50,000. Loans can be used for project-related soft costs, construction or rehabilitation, and for the purchase of machinery and equipment. To qualify, a business must be in operation for at least three years and also have proof of credit in the form of formal bank commitment. In addition, the Emerging Business Development Loan Fund provides financing for certified Cook County minority-owned businesses in a loan amount range between $35,000 and $50,000. For more information on these programs, contact the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development at 312-603-1051 or cookcounty.gov/economicdevelopment.

Des Plaines

New software system available for FOIA requests

The City of Des Plaines announced the launch of a new software system, designed to electronically generate and track Freedom of Information Acts requests submitted via the city’s website. Accessible via a link (www.desplaines.org) on the city’s homepage, the system allows residents — and the general public — to submit FOIA requests electronically. The system also tracks requests received by mail, fax or in person. For more information, visit the city’s homepage or call (847) 391-5311.

Mount Prospect

Mount Prospect mayor chairs ONCC meeting

Serving as O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission Chair, Mount Prospect Mayor Arlene A. Juracek met with Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Ginger Evans and other CDA officials, as well as representatives from numerous ONCC member communities throughout Cook County, on July 20. A report stated that Juracek announced ONCC’s ongoing development of a program calendar for its upcoming full-commission meetings, including panels and speakers addressing the following topics: Suburban O’Hare Commission proposals; converging/intersection runway concerns; how weather affects east vs. west crosswind concerns; and fleet composition projections by the airlines, and cargo carriers such as Stage 4 and Stage 5 aircraft. Juracek also reportedly stated that ONCC is determining a process to define an agreed-upon “end game” for a revised Fly Quiet Program.

Niles

Mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus

The Village of Niles reported that a batch of mosquitoes, collected on July 27 from a North Shore Mosquito Abatement District trap, in Niles, tested positive for West Nile virus, on July 29. In 2015, West Nile virus batches of mosquitoes reportedly have been found in NSMAD traps located in Glencoe, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Northbrook, Skokie and Winnetka. The report urged residents to utilize personal protection measures to minimize mosquito bites, and to examine their properties in order to eliminate any items that can hold water.

Oak Brook

Ty Inc. creates Beanie Bay to honor slain lion

Ty Warner, founder and chairman of Ty, Inc., has created Cecil the Lion Beanie Baby in memory of the heralded lion, tragically killed on July 2, in Africa. Ty Inc. has pledged 100 percent of profits from the original sale to WildCRU, the Wildlife Conservation Unit of University of Oxford, in Oxford, England. WildCRU’s stated mission is to achieve practical solutions to conservation problems through scientific research in countries throughout the world.

Park Ridge

Administrator appointed to run nursing/rehab facility

The Presence Resurrection Nursing and Rehabilitation Center reportedly has appointed Lisa Orzada as administrator. Orzada, a licensed nursing home administrator, brings 27 years of long-term care leadership experience to the position. She will oversee daily operations, including strategic planning, as well as personnel, financial, maintenance and other property-related matters.

Rolling Meadows

Aldermen approve expansion project for health club

Powered by Ivan Training Systems, a personal training facility in the city’s manufacturing district, reportedly was approved for a special-use permit in order to move, and expand, the business. A unanimous city council decision followed approval by the planning commission. Owner Ivan Rodriguez reported that group workout classes and personal training will be offered at the new facility, to be located at 2244 Lois Drive.

Schaumburg

Capital Improvement Plan tabs funds for reconstruction projects

The Village of Schaumburg’s Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan includes a list of capital projects for fiscal year 2015-16 totaling approximately $30 million. Approximately $5.5 million has been dedicated to the Residential Street Repair Program, affecting 9.3 miles of streets set for improvement.
New to this year’s CIP is the Vital Streets Program, created to account for costs associated with reconstructing major roadways, including Salem Drive (between Golf and Bode roads). The program also includes design work for future reconstruction projects involving Plum Grove Road, Woodfield Road, State Parkway and National Parkway.