Sammy Rangel, ex-Chicago gang leader, explored “In the Face of Hate: Facing the Unyielding 2018” at Aurora University Monday, Jan 15. Rangel opened a four-day “Let Freedom Ring” series celebrating M.L. King week. The series, exploring the meaning of of equality and freedom of speech in America, included a student talent show, film screening and discussion and a discussion of hate crimes led by Anti-Defamation League members. (Al Benson photo)

ELGIN

Elgin Literary Festival celebrates written word

The Hemmens Cultural Center will be the focal point as the Elgin Literary Festival opens a two-day run on Friday.

The festival is a free celebration of the written word for both readers and writers taking place in Downtown Elgin, a blooming center of the arts.

It aims to highlight bookish, culture and provide writers and readers a place to create and appreciate the art of writing, all within the charming architecture and welcoming businesses that are the soul of the City of Elgin.

The event is sponsored by the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission, Hemmens Cultural Center, and Side Street Studio Arts.

Activities are scheduled from 4-6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at the Center, 45 Symphony Way. For more information and schedules visit www.facebook.com/elginliteraryfestival.

CHICAGO AREA

Kane joins seven county economic consortium

Chicago-area business and government leaders have launched what might be one of the most powerful economic development engines in Illinois history — an “unprecedented” consortium that draws on the best minds and vast resources of the city of Chicago and seven counties: Kane, Cook, DuPage Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will.

It’s called the Chicago Regional Growth Corporation, and its purpose is to drive collaboration among public and private partners, attract giant businesses from around the globe and generate jobs, jobs, jobs.

Kane County Board Chairman Chris Lauzen represented the seven county leaders when he spoke during the press conference announcement last week at mHub Chicago, the city’s first innovation center focused on physical product development and manufacturing.

“Job creation and job retention are critical to the the well-being of our residents and our communities,” he said. “Many people don’t work in the same city or county in which they live. Because of this, it’s imperative that we work collaboratively to promote the region’s diverse employment and living opportunities.”

The CRGC launch came on the same day Amazon announced that Chicago is among its top 20 finalists for its second corporate headquarters and a day after Apple announced plans to repatriate billions in overseas cash, saying it will contribute $350 billion to the U.S. economy over the next five years.

Kane County representatives on the CRGC include Lauzen, an ex-officio board member, Kane County Economic Development Director Mark VanKerkoff and Joe Slawek, chairman of Geneva-based FONA International.

REGION

Metra says fare hikes, service cutbacks coming

Metra is reminding its customers that fare increases go into effect Feb. 1 and trims to service on five lines begin Feb. 5.

As of Feb. 1:

• The price of a one-way ticket will increase by 25 cents in all zones (a 2.3 percent to 6.7 percent increase).
• The price of a 10-ride ticket will increase by $4.25 to $7.75 (8 percent to 12.6 percent) depending on the zone.
• The price of a monthly pass will increase by $9 to $12.50 (4.1 percent to 8.4 percent) depending on the zone. Monthly tickets are available for purchase in advance, with sales beginning on the 20^th of each month.
• The price of the Weekend Pass, which allows unlimited rides throughout the Metra system on both Saturday and Sunday, will increase $2 — from $8 to $10.
• The price of some reduced fare tickets and passes will also increase.

In November 2017, the Metra Board approved a $797.2 million operating budget for 2018 that included about $17 million in fare increases and about $3 million in trims in service in order to close a $45 million funding gap. Metra is taking a variety of other actions, including $11 million in efficiencies, to closing the operating budget gap.

The board also approved a 2018 capital budget totaling $196.8 million, only one-sixth of Metra’s estimated annual need for the maintenance and renewal of its capital assets.

WHEATON

Cantigny Park offers free Black History Month events

February is Black History Month and Cantigny Park will mark the occasion with two free-to-attend presentations at the Robert R. McCormick House:

Living History: Pamela Welcome as Sojourner Truth, Saturday, Feb. 17, 3 p.m. Living-history actor Pamela Welcome portrays Sojourner Truth, the African-American abolitionist and women’s rights activist. Truth was born into slavery but escaped with her infant daughter to freedom in 1826. Two years later she went to court to recover her son, becoming the first black woman to win such a case against a white man. In 2014, Truth was included in Smithsonian magazine’s list of the “100 Most Significant Americans of All Time.”

Lecture and Book Signing: Author Sherman L. Jenkins, Sunday, Feb. 24, 3 p.m. Jenkins will discuss Ted Strong Jr.: The Untold Story of an Original Harlem Globetrotter and Negro Leagues All-Star. Published in 2016, the book profiles one of the first two-sport professional athletes in the United States. Ted Strong competed in the 1930s and 1940s, excelling in both basketball and baseball. Jenkins sorts facts from myth about this determined and talented athlete.

Both presentations are free to attend and will take place in McCormick House’s Freedom Hall. Advance registration is required due to limited seating capacity. Those wishing to attend should call 630.260.8162 or register online at Cantigny.org.

Cantigny Park is open Friday through Sunday in February, from 9 am to 4:30 pm. The park resumes seven-day operations on March 1. Parking is $5.

COUNTY

Tree-trimming projects at three preserve sites

Three Forest Preserve District of Kane County tree-trimming projects may prompt intermittent closures of sections of the Elgin Prairie Path and the Fox River Trail.

From Jan. 30 through Feb. 6, work is being done along the Elgin Prairie Path, just north of IL Route 25. ComEd will be working on repairing overhead power lines and utility poles.

From Feb. 1 through March 1, work will be done along the Elgin Prairie Path, from IL Route 25 to Raymond Street. The contractor will be trimming trees under the power lines and removing dead trees that threaten to fall on the lines.

Lastly, from Feb. 9 through March 9, ComEd will be working on overhead power lines and utility poles. This work will be done along the Fox River Trail, between Stearns Road and the Jon Duerr Forest Preserve.

The Forest Preserve District asks trail users to be mindful of the projects, heavy machinery being used, and of the possibility of intermittent trail closures during the time frames indicated. Signs on both ends of the project will alert trail users to each project.

For more information, contact the Forest Preserve District of Kane County at 630-232-5980 or visit www.kaneforest.com

BATAVIA

ALDI honored by EPA for environmental efforts

Batavia-based ALDI has received the 2016-17 “Best of the Best” award from the Environmental Protection Agency’s GreenChill Partnership for its use of cutting-edge, environmentally sustainable refrigeration systems in 34 of its stores.

As part of its capital investment of $5 billion in new and remodeled stores over the next five years, ALDI is increasing its environmentally-friendly features in stores. New and remodeled stores feature environmentally-friendly building materials and energy-saving LED lighting.  ALDI is committed to continuing to reduce its refrigerant emissions and received its first GreenChill certification in 2015.

“ALDI is taking steps to reduce its environmental impact not only because our customers expect it, but because it is the right thing to do as a business. Partnerships like the one we share with GreenChill are critically important, as they enable us to work toward our goal of sustainable business operations,” said Aaron Sumida, ALDI vice president.

While the recognition typically goes to just one store, this year’s award from GreenChill acknowledges a record 34 platinum-certified ALDI stores. Platinum certification is the highest level awarded by GreenChill, and it requires each store to meet very stringent criteria.

AURORA

Nominations sought for African-American honors

Nominations are being accepted for the “2018 African-American Leader of the Year Award” that will be presented by Aurora’s African-American Heritage Advisory Board during the 14th Annual Heritage Dinner on Friday, Feb. 23.

The annual award is bestowed upon a local African-American each year who has demonstrated consistent leadership in and committed service to Aurora’s African-American community and the city at large.  

Previous award recipients are: Judge Keith Brown, Henry Cowherd, Donnell Collins, Alderman Scheketa Hart-Burns, Sherman Jenkins, Cynthia Latimer, Clayton Muhammad, Archie Needham, Lillian Perry, Anthony Stanford, Keith Cross and Tom Boatright.

Nominations must include a brief biographical sketch of the nominee and detailed information of his or her work in the community.  Submissions can be made by individuals and organizations online at www.aurora-il.org/africanamericanheritage or email the requested information to MyAurora@aurora-il.org.

Nomination deadline is Jan 25 at 5:00 p.m.

–Kane County News Briefs–