The National Audobon Society invites local residents to participate in the 2018 Great Backyard Bird Count this month. Participants are asked to spent at least 15 minutes on any day between Feb. 16-19 and count the number of bird you see. More than 160,000 persons are involved in the county worldwide. For information and free registration visit http://gbbc.birdcount.org/about/ (National Audubon Society photo)

STATE

Carson’s stores in Aurora other cities to shut down

Seven Carson’s stores in Illinois — including a clearance center in Aurora — will be closed as part of a effort to turn the company around.

Parent company Bon-Ton Stores announced the closing of 42 stores nationally as part of a corporate restructuring.

Other Carson’s scheduled to close include locations at Streets of Woodfield in Schaumburg, DeKalb, Danville and Riverside Plaza in Chicago plus a clearance center in Morton Grove. A Bergner’s store in Peoria will also shut down.

Store closing sales were scheduled to begin Feb. 1 and run for approximately 10 to 12 weeks, the company said in a statement.

SUGAR GROVE

Applicants sought to fill WCC board vacancy

The Waubonsee Community College Board of Trustees is soliciting resumes of people interested in filling a vacancy on its board due to the resignation of  Roger T. Harris.

Under Illinois law, the board will appoint a trustee to fill the vacant seat from March 21, 2018 until the next consolidated election on Tuesday, April 2, 2019.

A candidate must be a citizen of the United States, of the age of 18 years or over and a resident for at least one year immediately preceding the appointment, of the State and the territory which, on the date of the appointment, is included in the community college district.

Anyone interested in being considered for this appointment should send a cover letter explaining their interest in serving as a trustee and a resume by Thursday, Feb. 15  at 4:30 p.m.

Letters and resumes may be submitted electronically or in hard copy to: Mary Baccheschi, Clerk of the Board, Waubonsee Community College, Rt. 47 at Waubonsee Drive, Sugar Grove, IL 60554 or email mbaccheschi@waubonsee.edu.

It is anticipated that a trustee will be appointed and seated at the regularly scheduled March 21, 2018 board of trustees meeting.  

ELGIN

Grants available to restore historic homes

Applications for Elgin’s  2018 Historic Architectural Rehabilitation Grant Program are available on the city’s website at www.cityofelgin.org/historicgrants and in person at the Community Development Department, City Hall, 150 Dexter Court.

The deadline to submit applications and supporting documentation is March 30.

Since the inception of the program in 1995, the city has awarded more than 380 grants, assisting property owners with the completion of more than $8.1 million in rehabilitation projects.

The Historic Architectural Rehabilitation Grant Program provides residential property owners of structures in designated historic districts or landmarks with reimbursement grants of up to $20,000 for the restoration of exterior architectural features. Eligible applicants must be located within a historic district or be a landmark and within the Central Area TIF District.

For information or applications for any of the programs contact Christen Sundquist, Historic Preservation Planner for the City of Elgin at (847) 931-6004, or at sundquist_c@cityofelgin.org.

COUNTY

Grand Victoria Riverboat grant applications available

Applications for 2018 Grand Victoria Riverboat funds are now available. The Kane County Board has budgeted $739,926 for the initiative, which supports projects that help strengthen Kane County communities and improve the quality of life for area residents.

Every year, the Grand Victoria Riverboat Fund provides gap funding for activities that address local needs in the areas of education, the environment and economic development. Non-profit organizations and units of local government are eligible to apply for funding.

Applications must be prepared and submitted using the county’s web-based application portal, hosted by ZoomGrants. The submission deadline is midnight on March 2.

Projects will be evaluated for their effectiveness at meeting the needs of area residents, leveraging other funding, readiness to proceed, and overall community impact and urgency. The staff of the Kane County Office of Community Reinvestment is available to answer questions regarding application procedures, project eligibility requirements, and the Grand Victoria Riverboat Fund in general.

Since its inception in 1997, Kane County has received a total of $143,283,778 from the Grand Victoria Casino. At its height in 2002, the county’s annual share was more than $12 million. This year, the county projects its share will be $2,996,179.

NAPERVILLE

Chicago sports legends at NIU athletic fundraiser

The third edition of Northern Illinois University Athletics’ premier fundraising event, the Victor E. Ball, will bring together an all-star cast of Chicago professional sports athletes at an April 14 event at the NIU Naperville Conference Center. 

Chicago Bears’ Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Hampton, 22-year Major League Baseball veteran and Chicago Cub Bill Buckner and three-time NBA Champion Bill Wennington of the Chicago Bulls will come together for a one-of-a-kind panel discussion, highlighting an evening of entertainment and inspiration in support of NIU student-athlete scholarships.

Fans, friends, alumni and members of the community are invited to join this all-star line-up, along with Huskie head coaches, current student-athletes and administrators.

All proceeds from the Victor E. Ball assist in funding NIU student-athlete scholarships, specifically the Huskies’ ongoing commitment to provide full cost of attendance scholarships to more than 400 student-athletes in 17 sports programs.

Online registration for the Third Annual Victor E. Ball is now open. Tickets are $450 per person or $3,500 for a table. 

ST. CHARLES

Public tips aid in arrest of Domino’s Pizza robbery

A West Chicago man was charged with Armed Robbery and Aggravated Robbery last week in relation to the Armed Robbery at Domino’s Pizza, 1450 W. Main St.  

Jonah A. De Leon, 19, 600 block of S. Neltnor Blvd. West Chicago, was arrested after a joint investigation by St. Charles and West Chicago police.

The investigation was also helped by members of the public who called in tips after seeing surveillance photos of the crime that had been posted on social media by both agencies.

The robbery occurred on Dec. 27 when the offender entered the front door, displayed a black handgun and demanded cash. The victim/employee handed over the cash as well as a cell phone as demanded by the offender.

The offender fled westbound toward N. 15th St on foot. Officers checked the area and a K9 from the Aurora Police Department responded to assist. The offender was not located.

On Jan. 30, detectives from the St. Charles and the West Chicago police took De Leon into custody. A search of his residence and vehicle located items of evidence that linked De Leon to the Domino’s robbery.

GENEVA

Wine and treats to help raise funds for more trees

People interested in bolstering Geneva’s downtown urban tree canopy are invited out for a night of fine wine, treats and a live auction to raise money toward the cause.

The seventh annual Wine, Cheese & Trees fundraiser will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24 at the Persinger Recreation Center, 3507 Kaneville Road. The event is being hosted by the City of Geneva’s Natural Resources Committee.

Six wines will be paired with cheese, appetizers and desserts from local merchants. The evening also will feature live music, a silent auction, drawings, a “wine wall” and live auction. Some of the live auction items up for bid include a seven-night stay in Bonita Springs, Fla.; a sports package of Chicago Bears and White Sox tickets; an instant wine cellar; a wine tasting for eight from Bright Angel Winery at Geneva Wine Cellars; a weekend at the Seth Peterson Cottage in Wisconsin; and other great prizes.

Tickets can be purchased for $30 per person or four tickets for $100 at Geneva Wine Cellars and Tasting Room, 227 S. Third St.; Geneva Chamber of Commerce, 8 S. Third St.; or online.

No City funds have been used to purchase alcohol for this event.

To date, the NRC has funded the planting of nearly 120 trees in downtown Geneva, City Hall and at each of the schools in Geneva Community Unit School District 304. The committee is hoping to raise another $20,000 at the Feb.  24 event.

For more information about Wine, Cheese & Trees, contact NRC Chairman Jay Womack at 630-299-9945.

ELGIN

Long Red Line arrives at ECC on Feb. 14

Elgin Community College will host The Long Red Line, a community effort to support One Billion Rising, a global movement to end rape, violence and oppression against women, on Wednesday, Feb. 14.

The annual event is held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Building B Jobe Lounge. The accompanying art exhibit opening and reception will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 30 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. starting in the Building C Library Gallery. Both events will take place at 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Admission is free and open to the public.

Now in its sixth year, The Long Red Line is a visual demonstration of solidarity where community members are invited to bring a red scarf or piece of fabric that will be held together by participants-forming one long red line.

–Kane County News Briefs–