Keys left in a car’s ignition is an open invitation to car thieves, according to Glen Ellyn police. New police statistics show that the majority of vehicle thefts and burglaries in 2017 happened to unlocked cars.

STATE

Rauner focusing on illegal guns coming into Illinois

While students across the county walked out of school to protest school gun violence March 14, Gov. Bruce Rauner was meeting with state police about illegal guns coming into Illinois.

Rauner and state police officials reviewed plans to create an interstate crime prevention network of cooperation across state borders to try and stem the flow of illegal guns across state borders.

Rauner next is expected to meet with the legislative leaders regarding his public safety task force, which he hopes will produce a package of proposals.

Rauner called the student walkout an appropriate way to honor the memory of the victims of the Parkland, Florida shooting.

COUNTY

Indivisible DuPage plans election party

In anticipation of what it hopes will be victories on Primary Day, Indivisible DuPage is planning a celebration meeting and social from 2-4 p.m. March 25, at Clara’s, 6550 S. State Route 53, Woodridge. With the party, the political organization want to thanks its supporters and celebrate the victories of candidates it supports.

Make a reservation for the party at eventcombo.com/e/indivisible-dupage-march-celebration-31001. There will be a charge, but it will cover only costs of the space, soft drinks and appetizers. This is not a fundraiser.

DuPage is top county in health ranking of state

How healthy is DuPage County?

Very healthy, according to the 2018 County Health Rankings released March 14. DuPage ranks as No. 1 among the 102 counties in the state, rising from its fifth last year. The last time DuPage ranked on top was in 2016.

DuPage beat out Kendall County, which placed second for the fifth consecutive year.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute compare and rank counties in each state on more than 30 factors that affect health, including economics, education, jobs, housing, exercise, access to screenings and commuting times. This is the ninth year the groups have released the rankings.

For the first time, Kane and Will counties both moved into the top 10, with Kane at No. 7 and Will at No. 9. Last year Kane ranked 12th and Will was 11th.

Cook County remained at 59th, the same as in 2017.

The least healthy in 2018 was Alexander County in far southern Illinois near Cairo.

Monroe County, which held the top spot last year, fell to No. 4 in 2018. It is located just southeast of the St. Louis area.

NAPERVILLE

Survey seeks opinions on Fifth Avenue development

Nearly 5,000 Naperville residents and Metra commuters are being asked to answer a survey about what they want to see in the proposed redevelopment near the Fifth Avenue Metra station 

Ryan Cos. emailed a survey last week to 4,865 residents and commuters asking questions regarding how often they use the Fifth Avenue Metra station, whether they think more commuter space should be installed, whether events such as farmer’s markets and concerts should be held in the project area and what they want to see in terms of retail, services and office space.

The proposed site is 13.35 acres in size.

Questions contained in the survey are based on individual and group input Ryan Cos. received in the past several months of community engagement. The company also is mailing postcards to 5,000 Naperville addresses randomly selected asking them to participate in the survey.

The survey will remain open until Ryan Cos. Receives what it calls a statistically valid pool of results. Anyone who was not emailed the survey and does not receive a postcard can find a link to the survey on Ryan Cos.’ Fifth Avenue development project website, fifthavenuedevelopment.com.

ELMHURST

Softball field improvements include batting cages

Elmhurst Park District has given the go-ahead signal to the installation of batting cages at Salt Creek Park softball field.

The field is used by Elmhurst College’s softball team and the Elmhurst Youth Baseball organization. Youth Baseball representatives asked the park district and Elmhurst College in 2016 about adding batting cages to the existing bullpen area. The cages would serve as a warm-up area for batters and pitchers during games, but will also be open to the public.

Two batting cage tunnels with upright supports and netting will be installed within the footprint of the existing bullpen area. The park district approved $20,500 for the project. Other amenities including pitcher’s safety screens, batter’s boxes and backstop padding will cost an additional $4,100.

Each entity will be responsible for one-third of the cost of the cages. The park district will also be responsible for coordinating the project and maintenance of the cages.

GLEN ELLYN

No. 1 cause for car break-ins is unlocked cars, police say

Glen Ellyn car owners: Lock your doors.

New Glen Ellyn Police statistics show that the majority of vehicle thefts and burglaries in 2017 happened to unlocked cars. Police say 89 percent of cars that were stolen or broken into were left with their doors unlocked. Many even had the keys inside. 

According to police, 104 vehicles were burglarized in Glen Ellyn in 2017. Of these, 93 of the cars were not locked at the time of the burglary.

–DuPage County News Briefs–