The city of Aurora has passed an ordinance raising the purchasing age for tobacco to age 21. Aurora is now one of five Illinois municipalities to implement a 21 and older limit.

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 ordinance (T21), 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 

Kendall

Sheriff’s Office hires patrol deputy

The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office has hired a new Deputy Sheriff to fill a vacant position in the Patrol Division.

Cristina Contreras was sworn in on March 27, 2018 by Sheriff Dwight A. Baird. Deputy Contreras will be attending the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy beginning April 2 for a 14-week Basic Academy. Upon successful completion of the academy, Deputy Contreras will begin the field training program.

Deputy Contreras will be paired with an experience Field Training Officer and will undergo a rigorous 12-week field training program.

Deputy Contreras attended Waubonsee Community College seeking a degree in Criminal Justice and will continue to do so. Deputy Contreras previously worked as a Corrections Deputy with the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office.

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.

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.

FBI Director Christopher Asher Wray was the principal speaker at the ceremony. Training for the program is provided by the FBI Academy instructional staff, Special Agents, and other staff members holding advanced degrees, many of whom are recognized internationally in their fields of expertise.

The graduating officers were represented by the class spokesperson, Ralph Cilento, New York Police Department. A total of 50,808 graduates now represent the alumni of the FBI National Academy since it began in 1935.

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

Matt Brolley, village of Montgomery president

Mayor on the Move

Montgomery Village President Matt Brolley will host a “Mayor on the Move” on Saturday, April 7 from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Lakewood Creek Clubhouse, 2799 Oakmont Drive in Montgomery.

“I want to continue to meet with, listen to and learn from residents.  I hope that people will feel free to stop in to ask questions, make suggestions and get to know their elected officials on an informal basis.,” Brolley explained.

Residents are invited to drop by and meet the Village President and discuss items of concern with him.  Everyone is encouraged to bring their comments, questions and ideas to the session.  Light refreshments will be provided by the Lakewood Creek Homeowners Association.

“I hope these casual gatherings will make it easy for people to drop by and let me know what’s on their mind.  As a working father of two young children, I understand the struggle with leaving home without them on Saturday morning, so I encourage parents to bring the family,” Brolley continued.

Oswego

Village awarded for financial reporting

For the 15th year in a row, the Village of Oswego has been recognized for its commitment to transparency in financial reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association.

Oswego was awarded the Certificate of Achievement from the GFOA for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 2017.

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the field of government accounting and financial reporting, and this year is the 15th year that Oswego has been awarded the recognition.

In addition, Oswego received the Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting for its Resident’s Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 2017.

The Resident’s Annual Financial Report is a simplified and visually engaging version of the Village’s financial reports designed to be easily understood by residents without financial backgrounds. This is the second year the Village of Oswego has earned recognition for the Resident’s Annual Financial Report.

The 2017 Resident’s Annual Financial Report is available for download under the Popular Links section of the Village’s homepage at www.oswegoil.org. A copy of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report is available at www.oswegoil.org/government/departments/finance.aspx.

For more information on Village of Oswego financial reporting, contact Finance Director Mark Horton at 630-554-0864 or visit www.oswegoil.org.

ComEd to perform tree-trimming

The Village of Oswego would like to remind residents that ComEd will be trimming trees and other vegetation throughout the community over the next three months.

Trees and branches that interfere with power lines can create safety hazards and cause power outages. Preventative tree maintenance helps avoid power outages.

Within the next three months, a contractor for ComEd will trim trees, branches and vines that interfere or have the potential to interfere with power lines. In some cases, tree removal may be required. In those cases, the remaining tree stumps are treated with an approved herbicide is applied by state-licensed applicators to prevent future regrowth. All work is performed by trained, qualified arborists.

Residents are also reminded as they begin landscaping this spring to carefully consider where to locate certain trees. Trees that grow larger than 20-feet-tall, such as maples and spruces, should never be planted under or near power lines. Smaller trees, such as dogwoods and crabapples may be appropriate.

For more information about trees and power lines, visit www.ComEd.com/Trees, or call 1-800-Edison-1 800-334-7661 and ask to speak to a Vegetation Management representative.

The Village of Oswego also has an arborist on staff who can answer questions related to selecting appropriate trees. For tree-related questions, contact the Public Works Department at 630-554-3242 or visit http://www.oswegoil.org/government/departments/public-works/parkway-trees.aspx.

–Kendall County News Briefs–