The Aurora City Council has voted to raise the age limit to purchase tobacco and vaping products from age 18 to 21 by a unanimous vote of all twelve aldermen.Aurora joines nearly 300 cities nationwide with similar limits. (123rf.com photo)

COUNTY

Senior Services employee sentenced for theft

A former employee of Senior Services Associates, a state of Illinois contractor, has been sentenced to prison for stealing money from an elderly victim.

Kane County Circuit Judge Donald M. Tegeler, Jr. last week sentenced 41-year-old Mary E. Pfingston of Joliet to five  years imprisonment and ordered her to pay $33,734.52 in restitution.

Pfingston had pleaded guilty to the offense of financial exploitation of the elderly in February and had faced a sentence of probation or between three and seven years’ imprisonment.

Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Sarah Seberger said Pfingston stole between $5,000
and $50,000 from the victim—  a resident of a long-term care facility in North Aurora — over a three-month period in 2015.

Pfingston worked for Senior Services Associates as Kane County’s long-term care ombudsman. Her primary duty was to advocate for residents of long-term care facilities in Kane County.

According to Illinois law Pfingston is eligible for day-for-day credit. She receives credit for 108 days served in the Kane County jail.

AURORA

City raises age limit to purchase tobacco

The Aurora City Council has voted to raise the age limit to purchase tobacco and vaping products from age 18 to 21 by a unanimous vote of all twelve aldermen.

With the passing of what is nationally being referred to as the Tobacco 21 (T21) ordinance, Aurora joins other municipalities in Illinois, including Evanston, Chicago, Naperville and Bolingbrook, in becoming a T21 city. Nearly 300 cities in 19 states have done the same.

“Thank you to our aldermen for taking a bold, unified stand and to our staff members who researched this initiative for months,” Mayor Richard Irvin said in a public statement. “Thank you to our community partners in healthcare, education, law enforcement and the industry for coming together to provide an assessment of what is happening in Aurora and throughout the country.”

He also thanked the youth who shared their concerns about tobacco and vaping usage among their peers, giving many examples of smoking and vaping occurring in school.

“Your voice does matter, and we are listening,” Irvin said. “As we continue to build Aurora together, I am proud to know our community is doing what is right for our youth.”

Learn more about the national T21 Initiative at www.tobacco21.org 

MONTGOMERY

Deputy Chief graduates from FBI Academy

Deputy Chief Armando Sanders of the Montgomery Police Department graduated on March 16 from the FBI National Academy Program at Quantico, Virginia.

He joined two hundred and twenty-three law enforcement officers.

The 271st Session of the FBI National Academy consisted of men and women from 48 states.  Included in the class are members of law enforcement agencies from the District of Columbia, 18 international countries, five military organizations, and five federal civilian organizations.

“I was honored and humbled to represent the Village of Montgomery in this amazing experience,” Sanders said. “The education, training and networking are invaluable as a law enforcement executive.”

Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy Program, held at the FBI Academy, offers ten weeks of advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training for selected officers having proven records as professionals within their agencies. 

On average, these officers have 21 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions.

AURORA

AU vet group hosts suicide awareness program

The Aurora University Veterans Association is hosting a keynote speaker and panel discussion to inform community members and concerned individuals about veteran suicide at 6 p.m. on April 5.

The free program will be held at Crimi Auditorium, 347 S Gladstone Ave., on the AU campus.

The keynote speaker will be Air Force veteran Darian G. Blanks, who knows firsthand the struggles that can lead to attempting to end one’s life.

“As a two-time suicide attempt survivor, I share my story with others as a sign of hope, to get to the next day, to continue to fight, and to defy the odds and stereotypes,” he said. “I am an Ivy League graduate student who has learned it is possible to turn setbacks into success, and I share my philosophy with others who are suffering in order to help them.

GENEVA

City hosts chance to chat with the chiefs

Have a question that you have always wanted to ask about Geneva’s Police or Fire departments? Residents are invited to pull up a seat for “Coffee and Cookies With Geneva’s Chiefs.”

Police Chief Eric Passarelli and Fire Chief Mike Antenore will be hosting the first of quarterly meetings with the public at 5:30 p.m. April 4 at the Geneva Fire Department Headquarters Station No. 1, 200 East Side Drive. The meetings are designed to strengthen the City’s ties with the public.

“I think that it is of utmost importance to have the trust of the community we serve,” Chief Passarelli said. “This is an opportunity for residents to meet with their public safety leadership to ask questions that are important to them.”

The first meeting will feature a brief overview of both departments, but the primary goal will be creating an ongoing community dialogue with residents.

The event is open to the public, and registration is not necessary. For more information, call the Geneva Fire Department at 630-232-2530 or the Geneva Police Department at 630-232-4736.

COUNTY

Forest Districts seeks summer job applicants

The Forest Preserve District of Kane County seeks applicants for 2018 summer seasonal and internships positions.

Available positions include full– and part–time positions. Internships and/or seasonal positions are available in the following specialties: naturalist, natural resources technician, horticulturist/garden, public relations, campground attendant, wildlife technician, landscape architecture/GIS, maintenance-field operations and trades.

Applicants who apply for the campground attendant must be 21 years of age or older. Applicants for other summer positions must be 18 or older.

All candidates must be able to work outdoors in adverse weather, possess a valid driver’s license, and able to maintain an enthusiastic, courteous, positive attitude and team spirit. Job duties differ by position.

All candidates must apply online at http://www.kaneforest.com/employment/apply.aspx

Contact Human Resources Specialist Betsy Scaletta at 630-208-8662 for more information or e-mail hrforest@kaneforest.com.

GENEVA

Cougars set $1 million charity fundraising goal

The Kane County Cougars charitable arm, the Kane County Cougars Foundation, Inc. has launched a historic fundraising goal known as “A Million Smiles Campaign” for the upcoming 2018 season.

This season, the Kane County Cougars Foundation, Inc. will work towards reaching a donation total of one million dollars, with each dollar donated providing a much needed smile for those in need.

As the first campaign of its kind in the history of MiLB, President and CEO Pat O’Connor is excited to see the charitable work that the team will accomplish this season.

“I am very proud of the lengths which our Minor League Baseball teams go to give back to their local communities, as the Kane County Cougars have now publicly pledged to do at an extraordinary level,” O’Connor said. “Should the Cougars reach this ambitious goal, they will certainly be one of the most charitable of Minor League Baseball’s 160 teams and I commend them for their efforts.”

As members of the Midwest League, the Cougars are building upon the tradition of giving back that has been a part of the League for the last 72 years.

–Kane County News Briefs–