A beloved purple dinosaur finds a home in the newly designed Liberty Park in DeKalb. The park’s wooden play structure has been retired and replaced with vibrant colored equipment.

FEDERAL

Volunteers needed for draft boards

With no draft, there is no need for a draft board. However, the federal government retains its Selective Service System in case a national emergency would need more armed forces.

Should there be a need for draftees, local draft boards would find potential troops, and area residents – volunteers – would be needed to run the boards.

The Selective Service System is looking for volunteers who might be willing to serve as members of local draft boards.

If a military draft becomes necessary, local boards would decide which young men receive deferments, postponements or exemptions from military service based on federal guidelines.

Once identified as qualified candidates for appointment, members are recommended by the governor and appointed by the director of the Selective Service, who acts on behalf of the president of the United States in making the appointments.

Board members, once appointed, can remain on the board for up to 20 years.

Local board members must be U.S. citizens, men or women, at least 18 years old and residents of the area served by the board. They may not be active, reserve or guard members of the Armed Forces. Nor can they be retired military or employed in a law enforcement occupation.

Those interested can contact the Selective Service at christopher.brennan@sss.gov, call the region headquarters at (847) 688-7993 or visit the Selective Service website at sss.gov (click on the tab labeled “Volunteers,” then select “Board Member Program”).

MAPLE PARK

Village to hire new police chief

The village of Maple Park is looking for a new police chief. Interested applicants may apply by Oct. 31. The job has been open since Sept. 15, former Police Chief Tony Ayala’s last day on the job. Mike Acosta, who retired as police chief in May 2016, has come out of retirement to do the job until a replacement is hired.

Potential candidates must be a certified police officer in the state of Illinois, possess a valid driver’s license and pass all applicable background checks. Preferred candidates must have at least five years law enforcement management experience, associate’s degree or higher education and administrative experience.

The new chief will earn $50,000-$52,000, depending on experience. Interested applicants should bring cover letters and resumes to Village Hall, 302 Willow St., Maple Park 60151; by email to epeerboom@villageofmaplepark.com; or by mail to Village of Maple Park, Attn: Police Chief Search, P.O. Box 220, Maple Park 60151.

DeKALB 

Chili’s coming to town

Fans of Texas-style ribs, burgers and fajitas won’t have to drives nearly 20 miles to get their favorite Chili’s dishes. The national restaurant chain is expected to open an eatery at 2370 Sycamore Road, DeKalb, Oct. 23.

The site formerly was the home of another national restaurant chain, Ruby Tuesday. However, that and other franchise-operated locations across the state closed unexpectedly in July 2016.

Other Chili’s locations are about 20 miles away, in South Elgin, Batavia and Aurora.

New park design retires wooden play structure

Vibrant colors are livening up a DeKalb Park District playground. Liberty Park, an active neighborhood park at 1018 Lewis St., is sporting new equipment replacing what was the park district’s last wooden play structure. The old equipment was 18 years old.

In addition to vibrant colors, the new playground features a generation swing and ADA-accessible play components.  Based on neighborhood input about what the new park should have, the purple dinosaur from the original playground has been retained as a unique characteristic in the park.

The new playground was made possible through the 2016 Healthy Play Action Grant Program. The grant funds are part of a statewide initiative to promote healthy play with the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA), GameTime and Gametime’s parent company, Playcore. The grant program provides matching funds to assist parks throughout Illinois in creating playground spaces that encourage best practice designs for active behavior.

Best-dressed Halloween dogs can win prizes

Halloween costumes are not just for humans. Dogs can get into the swing of dressing as an alter ego or superhero or politician – whatever human imagination can conjure and win a prize for such creativity. HOWL-o-ween, a costume contest for dogs, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 28 at Katz Dog Park, 201 W. Dresser Road, DeKalb. The event is being sponsored by the DeKalb Park District.

Awards will be given for the following categories:

• Most “Spook-tacular”
• “Howling” with laughter
• Best Owner/Pet Costume Combo

Judging will begin at 11 a.m. and winners will be announced at 11:15 a.m. No registration is required.

–DeKalb County News Briefs–