The house at 620 Adam Lane, Carol Stream, was a winner in the village’s 2016 Holiday Decorating Contest. Nominations for this year’s contest are being accepted until Dec. 15. Submit entries to DecoratingContest@carolstream.org.

STATE

Governor announces opioid help hotline

Gov. Bruce Rauner has announced a statewide hotline created to get immediate help to individuals and families affected by opioid addiction. With the help of the Opioid Overdose Prevention and Intervention Task Force, this helpline will provide information on addiction treatment resources and recovery-support services.

“This helpline will provide a quick way for Illinoisans struggling with dangerous addictions to access resources, treatment options, and support,” Rauner said. “We are focused on helping them get on the road to recovery to combat further drug overdose tragedies.”

In launching the helpline, Rauner will tackle the opioid crisis and combat the growing number of overdose deaths related to heroin, other opioids and synthetics like fentanyl. Administration officials have been meeting throughout the year to establish an agenda to combat the epidemic. Rauner unveiled the Opioid Action Plan and signed Executive Order 17-05, creating the Opioid Overdose Prevention and Intervention Task Force this year. The task force was charged with building strategies that would help reduce projected opioid overdose-related deaths by one-third within the next three years.

Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti and Illinois Department of Public Health Director Nirav Shah co-chair the task force, which was responsible for implementing new programs and policies.

NAPERVILLE

City to conduct special census

Naperville is expected to hire more than 200 temporary workers to count residents in a special census in 2018. The count would start in late January, and take about four to eight weeks to complete.

The city is paying the U. S. Census Bureau $238,000 to conduct the census in hopes of bringing in an extra $1.6 million in taxes based on a higher population. If the count increases from the official mark of 141,853, the city stands to receive more money in three taxes distributed based on population: income tax, local use tax and motor fuel tax.

Applications are available at naperville.il.us/specialcensus and may be returned to the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, 60540, or scanned and emailed to evansk@naperville.il.us.

Church choirs to join in Messiah performance

Handel’s masterpiece, Messiah, will be performed followed by a carol sing-a-long concert 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 36 N. Ellsworth St., Naperville. This annual tradition to perform the Christmas portion of Messiah has become a trademark for the Concerts at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Its repertoire changes and varies, but Messiah is an established and immutable piece that the Saints Peter and Paul Orchestra and Choir have been performing since 2013.

New this year, the Choir of Saint Raphael Church of Naperville will add the richness of its voices to those of Saints Peter and Paul Orchestra, Choir and soloists. The Saint Raphael Church choir will sing all pieces of this program with the host church. Totally, more than 70 musicians will be involved in this performance.

When the Christmas portion of Messiah is finished, the musicians will invite the audience to participate in the performance. The second part of the concert will bring Christmas carols in their traditional arrangement, which will make it easy to sing-a-long for the audience. 

Tickets are $5. For tickets and information, call (630) 718-2119 or go to sspeterandpaul.net/. Tickets also can be purchased at the church office, 36 N. Ellsworth St., Naperville.

CAROL STREAM

Entries wanted for house decorating contest

Carol Stream is holding its third annual Holiday Decorating Contest of houses. Three winners will be chosen in the following categories: Big Snowball (classic holiday decor), Frosty’s Favorite (family fun decor) and Judges’ Favorite (best overall). Nominations can be submitted until Dec. 15 to DecoratingContest@carolstream.org. Homes will be judged the week of Dec. 18. Each winner will receive a dining package.

To see the current nominations, go to carolstream.org.

DOWNERS GROVE

Scratch-off ticket yields local man $75,000 in Lottery

The holidays arrived early for Brad Welter of Downers Grove, when he scratched off an Illinois Lottery revealing $75,000 in prize money.

Welter bought the winning Ultimate Crossword ticket at a Mobil gas station in Elk Grove Village. The gas station will get $750 for selling the winning ticket. 

According to a release from the Illinois lottery, $75,000 is one of the top prizes for the $25 Ultimate Crossword ticket, with $750,000 being the top prize. A total of 17 of the $75,000 prizes are still unclaimed, as are two of the $750,000 prizes.

Welter and his wife plan to use the money toward the purchase of a new home.

HINSDALE/DARIEN

Holiday cards designed to help a good cause

Members of the Hinsdale Adult Opportunities Program are selling handmade cards they crafted to celebrate the season and help raise funds for group outings.

Each card – which is a one-of-a-kind design – were made by young adults with disabilities who are between the ages of 18 and 22 years old. All profits from the holiday card sales will go to support funds that allow the group to go out to various social gatherings. 

The Hinsdale Adult Opportunities Program helps local young adults with disabilities develop vocational skills and life skills to improve their quality of life.

The cards, which have several unique designs for different occasions, are available via traditional mail. Call (630) 468-4318.

–DuPage County News Briefs–