Cook County News Briefs

Chronicle Media
The Mount Prospect Public Library Foundation is holding its annual Unbelievable Chocolate Raffle, which features a variety of baskets for chocolate lovers Feb. 13.

The Mount Prospect Public Library Foundation is holding its annual Unbelievable Chocolate Raffle, which features a variety of baskets for chocolate lovers Feb. 13.

Cook County

Pair of Farm Bureau members chosen for statewide program

The Cook County Farm Bureau announced that two of its members — Beth Christian and Diane Merrion — have been accepted into the 2016 Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow Education Program. Christian is a volunteer member of the Farm Bureau’s Ag Literacy Team, and has assisted with public relations. Merrion serves as Ag in the Classroom Coordinator, and works with teachers, students, parents, Ag Literacy presenters, volunteers and others. Participants in the program, coordinated by the Illinois Farm Bureau, will attend 12 sessions focused on communication skills, political process, agricultural economics, global issues, and the Illinois Farm Bureau and its family of companies. Christian and Merrion were selected after completing a leadership application submission and subsequent interview. For more information, visit www.cookcfb.org.

Mount Prospect

Chocolate event to benefit Library Foundation

The Mount Prospect Public Library Foundation is holding its annual Unbelievable Chocolate Raffle, which features a variety of baskets for chocolate lovers. The drawing will be held in the lobby at the library, 10 S. Emerson Street, beginning at 3 p.m. Feb. 13. Tickets are $1 each, six for $5 and 12 for $10, and can be purchased from a Foundation volunteer or at the library’s registration desk. Winners need not be present. All proceeds will benefit the Foundation, which raises funds for special programming and events at the library. For more information, call (847) 253-5675 or visit www.mppl.org.

Park Ridge

Park Ridge cop earns Cook County Sheriff’s Award of Valor

Park Ridge Police Officer Jeff Koller was recently presented with the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Award of Valor, joining law enforcement officers across the region similarly recognized during an awards ceremony at Moraine Valley Community College, in Palos Hills. Koller received the prestigious award for his actions last April, when he responded to a call regarding a possible drug overdose. Upon arriving at the scene, Koller was informed that a male passenger in a car had been unresponsive for 10 minutes. After determining that the man was not breathing, Koller immediately performed CPR before the Park Ridge Fire Department arrived and assisted with life-saving procedures. Koller was recognized for his quick actions, professionalism and commitment to duty.

Palos Heights

Nonprofit group to assist seniors with tax program

PLOWS Council on Aging — a nonprofit agency located at 7800 College Drive, Suite 5E that assists seniors who live in Palos, Lemont, Orland and Worth townships — is offering trained staff screenings for seniors (ages 65 and up as of June 1) to assist with the application process in the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral Program. The program allows qualified seniors to defer up to $5,000 annually of the real estate taxes on their personal residences. Deferred taxes are repaid with low interest at the time the property is sold or following the taxpayer’s death. Applications must be filed by March 1. For more information, call (708) 361-0219 or visit www.palosheights.org.

Schaumburg

Argosy U. expands with move to new location

Argosy University hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony in January to officially recognize the opening of its new location at 1000 N. Plaza Drive, Suite 324. Argosy, which offers undergraduate and graduate programs in psychology, business and clinical psychology, relocated in an effort to expand its course offerings and services. For more information, call (847) 969-4900 or toll-free at (866) 290-2777, or visit www.argosy.edu.

Maywood

CUB utility bill event to feature State Rep. Welch

The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) invites area residents to its free Utility Bill Clinic, featuring 7th District State Rep. Chris Welch (D-Hillside), from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Maywood Public Library, 121 S. 5th Ave. Participants can bring their gas, electric and telephone bills for a one-on-one analysis with experts from CUB, a nonprofit consumer group fighting for the rights of utility customers throughout the state. To register, call (312) 263-7872. For more information, contact Welch’s constituent service office at (708) 450-1000 or by email at repwelch@emanuelchriswelch.com.

Evanston

City program gives artists chance to publicly display work

The city announced that its public buildings will be eligible to be brightened with local artwork in conjunction with the Public Art Loan (PAL) program, which matches Evanston artists with city-owned facilities to display their work. Artists interested in having their work displayed for approximately one year are invited to fill out an application and upload samples of their work online at cityofevanston.org/publicart. Selected samples will be reviewed by city staff members who have expressed an interest in having artwork displayed in their facility’s public spaces, including hallways, conference rooms, reception rooms and reception areas. Community centers, police and fire stations, and the water treatment facility are among the buildings eligible for the program. Participants will receive an honorarium of $150 if their work is displayed for more than nine months, and also will have their work featured on the city’s social media channels. For more information, contact Cultural Arts Coordinator Jennifer Lasik at (847) 859-7835 or by email at jlasik@cityofevanston.org.

Des Plaines

New History Center exhibit focused on local architecture

The Des Plaines History Center, 781 Pearson St., invites the public to attend the opening of its new exhibit, “Des Plaines Architecture: An Exhibit About Our Homes and City,” from 4-7 p.m. Feb. 17. Admission is free. In addition, exhibit curator Philip Mohr will be the guest speaker in a related Coffee Talk event, “Identifying Your House,” from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Feb. 18. Mohr will discuss how historic architectural styles are represented in the Des Plaines landscape, and how residents can identify such trends in their houses and neighborhoods. A $3 donation is suggested. The exhibit runs through December. For more information, call (847) 391-5399 or visit www.desplaineshistory.org.

Evergreen Park

Rec Dept. offers Valentine-themed Girls Night Out event

The Evergreen Park Recreation Department will present Girls Night Out from 6:45-8 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Community Center, 3450 W. 97th St. The event (for girls in grades 2-5) will feature a Valentine-themed craft, games, snacks and more. Register at the Recreation Department office, located at the Community Center. Admission is $15 per person. For more information, call (708) 229-3373 or visit www.evergreenpark-ill.com.

–Cook County News Briefs–