This Lombard Police squad car sports the new all-black look for the department’s 18 vehicles. The village estimates it will save almost $13,000 by ditching the white-door design of the old cars.

STATE

Senate OKs LGBT history requirement

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender historical figures would become a required part of history classes in Illinois’ public schools under a bill that hs passed the state Senate.

Senate Bill 3249, approved 34-18, would require a portion of public school history courses to include study of LGBT figures and that history books be “non-discriminatory” overall. Local school districts would still set the curriculum and have control over when the additional subject matter is included.

LGBT advocacy group Equality Illinois praised the bill’s passage, arguing the state’s school code “already ensures inclusion in history curriculum of the contributions and experiences of other historically marginalized communities, including of people of color, women, immigrant communities and people with disabilities.”

Some education advocates and religious groups oppose the bill, which now goes to the House.  

NAPERVILLE

Youth can enroll in police academy

Teenagers interested in learning about the Naperville Police Department have until May 25, to apply to participate in this summer’s youth academy.

The free program will be offered from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays from June 7 through July 19, with the exception of July 5. The teens will learn about the police department through classes, discussions and hands-on demonstrations about patrols, canines, investigations, forensics and more.

Spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Students have to be currently in high school or entering high school in the fall; live or attend high school in Naperville; have parental permission and have no criminal contacts.

For more information, go to naperville.il.us/cpa.

LOMBARD

New squad cars’ look will save money

Black is always in fashion, and the Lombard Police Department’s squad cars are styling. The department has unveiled a new, all-black squad car design for its fleet of 18 vehicles. New squad cars will feature the all-black design, replacing the old design that included custom-painted white vehicle doors.

The department’s fleet is replaced every five years, or when necessary due to high mileage or maintenance issues. The new design will be implemented as old squads are retired, with the timeline for complete vehicle replacement anticipated for 2021. The decision to forgo painting the squad vehicle doors white will save $700 per vehicle, or $12,600 over five years.

Also, the village is anticipating a better resale value for an all-black squad car over that of a black car with white doors; an estimated $1,000 of added resale value per retired squad car, for a total savings of $30,600 every five years.

The all-black squads will include a large, highly reflective decal on the sides of the vehicles to identify Lombard police. The decals are produced in house by the Public Works Department, resulting in additional cost savings.

The police dog vehicle is the first to sport the new design, with five others scheduled for replacement by the end of 2018, one in 2019, three in 2020, five in 2021, and the final three depending on amount of use they get.

LISLE

Construction of new school to begin

A $39 million project will get underway when Lisle Unit District 202 breaks ground to build an elementary school.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the building that will replace the aging Tate Woods and Schiesher elementary schools is scheduled for 4 p.m. May 19, at the former Meadows school site along Westview Lane.

A community engagement session will he held from 1 to 3 p.m. the same day at Lisle Junior High so residents can learn about the features and benefits of the new school.

Construction is expected to start around July, and end in summer 2019.

The new school will feature 35 classrooms, including some specifically designed for kindergarten and preschool. There also will be STEM rooms, a dedicated band and music room, conference rooms and a learning resource center.

ELMHURST

York student wins congressional art contest

The artwork of a York High School student will hang in the U.S. Capitol for a year. Sophomore Ariana Denning is one of the winners of a nationwide high school visual art competition conducted each spring by the Congressional Institute. The institute sponsors the contest to recognize and encourage artistic talent in each congressional district. Ariana’s illustration, “Cliff Hanger” won for the 5th Congressional District. 

To be eligible for the contest, students have to submit entries to their representative’s office, and panels of district artists select the winning entries. Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, DC.

DOWNERS GROVE

Village selling native trees, shrubs

Local homeowners can take advantage of Downers Grove’s annual Native Tree and Shrub Sale. Residents have until June 1 to place orders. A variety of plant life is available, including magnolia trees, red oak trees, wild rosebushes, honeysuckle bushes and more. 

The trees and shrubs come planted in five gallon buckets, and the trees are about three feet tall.

The Downers Grove website has a list of the types of native trees and shrubs that are available for purchase, along with information about the cultivation and care for these plants. 

To buy a shrub or tree, fill out the Native Tree and Shrub Sale form online or by printing it out and email or mail the completed form to: Jan Roehll (jroehll@theconservationfoundation.org) at The Conservation Foundation 10S404 Knoch Knolls Road, Naperville, 60565

–DuPage County News Briefs–