October 07 – Committee of the Whole Meeting, 7:30 PM 10 – An Evening with Author Kirk Wallace Johnson - OBOV, 7-9 PM, Forest View Auditorium (2121 South Goebbert Road) Please let Janet know if you are interested in attending 15 – Board Meeting, 7:30 PM 19 – RAILS Trustee Training Session, 9:30 AM- 12:30 PM, Bloomington Public Library Please let Janet know if you are interested in attending 22-24 – ILA Annual Conference, Tinley Park 22 – ILA Awards Luncheon, Noon-1:15 PM Please let Janet know if you are interested in attending 24 – ILA Trustee Day, 8AM-4PM (Trustee Luncheon, Noon-1:30 PM) Please let Janet know if you are interested in attending
November 04 – Committee of the Whole Meeting, 7:30 PM 19 – Board Meeting, 7:30 PM
December 02 – Committee of the Whole Meeting, 7:30 PM 17 – Board Meeting, 7:30 PM
Highlighted items are new to the calendar Department of Information & Library Science
ils.indiana.edu/news/story.html
Medal honored with ILS Distinguished Alumni Award
By: Ken Bikoff
Sep 16, 2019
Carole Medal, the executive director of the Gail Borden Public Library District in Elgin, Illinois, has been named the 2019 Information and Library Science Distinguished Alumni winner.
The ILS Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes an ILS alum who is making or has made an outstanding contribution to the library science/information science profession. Medal was nominated for the award by Miriam Anderson Lytle, division chief of community services and program development for the Gail Borden Public Library.
Medal is a 1979 graduate of the Master of Library Science program at the then-School of Library and Information Science at IU. She has spent the past 40 years as a librarian in the Chicago suburbs, and she served from 1999-2004 as the division chief for the Chicago Public Library. She has been a member of the American Library Association since 1978, she served as president of the Illinois Library Association from 2009-10, and has participated in a number of committees for the ILA. She was the Illinois Library Association Librarian of the Year in 2013, and she was honored by the Midwest chapter of REFORMA, the national association to promote library and information services to Latinos and the Spanish- speaking community, for her outstanding service to the Latino community in 2013.
She became the executive director of the Gail Borden Public Library District in 2004, and under her leadership, the library district has opened two new branches, started bookmobile services and won more than 50 awards, including the Institute for Museum and Library Services National Medal in 2009. She has expanded the offerings at the library by mounting world-class exhibits, such as robotics, dinosaurs, NASA partnered events—including two live
1/3 talks with the International Space Station—and by establishing a concert series that has partnered with university music programs, the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, and various performing artists.
“I am a librarian today because of Carole’s positive professional influence,” Lytle said in nominating Medal. “Her inspiration and contributions reach beyond my colleagues and me. She has had a strong, magnetic, and driven vision for public libraries nationwide for libraries to be a place of gathering, a community hub, that is critical for civic and community engagement and dialogue. Carole’s career paints an illustrious success story and testament for library school students and graduates to follow. Her contributions demonstrate that one librarian can make a transformative difference.”
Carolyn Anthony, retired director of the Skokie (IL) Public Library and past president of the Public Library Association, has worked with Medal over a 30-year career.
“Other public library directors in the area have looked to Carole for her continuing leadership and innovation as when she oversaw the building of an early ‘green’ library branch utilizing an automated check-out kiosk for after-hours collection access,” said Anthony. “Carole has led the way for many public librarians in northern Illinois.”
Kimm Hollis, professor of music and artist in residence emeritus at Hanover College in Hanover, IN, has known Medal for more than 50 years, first making her acquaintance when both were pursuing an undergraduate degree in the music department at Millikin University (IL). He has since performed in the Gain Borden Library concert series and is impressed by Medal’s success.
“Carole Medal has had an unending drive, energy, and passion for what she does,” Hollis said. “It is not surprising that her library career is one of local, regional, and national merit. She believes in, brings joy to, and loves what she does. She is a skilled library professional who continues to make significant and long-lasting contributions.”
Robert Doyle, the retired executive director of the Illinois Library Association, has also worked alongside Medal for decades.
“I can’t think of a more deserving recipient of this award,” Doyle said. “Her contributions to both the individual libraries and the profession of librarianship statewide in Illinois are exceptional. The fact that her library positions ranged from children’s services to technology to reference and adult services before moving into administration has made her one of the most well-rounded and capable library directors in the state.”
Medal will be honored during a ceremony Sept. 23 at Luddy Hall. She is the 38th alumnus to receive the award, which has been awarded annually since 1977.
2/3 “The alumni of ILS are one of the greatest strengths of the department and school,” said Katie Novak, the department administrator for ILS. “They are dedicated, involved, and extremely generous. We are honored to recognize Carole Medal’s achievements as someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the library and information science profession.”
Media Contact
Ken Bikoff Communications Specialist Phone: (812) 856-6908 [email protected]
3/3 Arlington Heights Memorial Library celebrates Inclusion Awareness
Throughout October, the Arlington Heights Memorial Library celebrates Inclusion Awareness Month with resources and programs.
By Arlington Heights Memorial Library, Patch Contributor
Sep 23, 2019 4:49 pm ET
(Arlington Heights Memorial Library)
Throughout October, the Arlington Heights Memorial Library will celebrate Inclusion Awareness Month, where it recognizes its commitment to connect the Arlington Heights community to resources and programs and invites comments and ideas from customers. Some programs featured this month include a visit from the Mane in Heaven mini therapy horses, a showing of the movie Maudie, Accessibility Resource Hours in the Marketplace, and monthly youth programs like Developmental Playgroup and Caregivers, Coffee and Play.
With guidance from customer feedback, the library moved motorized scooters to accessible locations, added rollator walkers for in-library use, expanded accessibility in the computer lab with NVDA screen reader software at all stations, added an accessible station with height-adjustable legs, ZoomText magnifier/reader software, a large print keyboard and a trackball mouse. Assistive devices were also added to the library's Library of Things collection that offers cardholders the opportunity to take home and try assistive devices and technology, including caregiver pagers, electronic magnifiers and personal hearing amplifiers, available at the library or online at ahml.info/LoT.
The library's commitment to inclusion is ongoing - to reach out to staff to discuss needs and ideas, contact the library via comment cards available in the library, at ahml.info/contact, at 847-392-0100 or TTY: 847-392-1119, or at [email protected].
Inclusion Awareness Month Programs October 2: Special Needs Legal & Future Planning October 5: Mane in Heaven Therapy Horses October 7: Maudie Film Screening October 8: Developmental Playgroup October 17: Job Seeking for People with Disabilities October 27: Caregivers, Coffee and Play October 29: College Knowledge: Planning for Students with Learning Differences Throughout October: Accessibility Resource Hours. To register for any of these programs or learn more about them, visit ahml.info.
Accessibility Resource Hours 11 a.m.–1 p.m. / Marketplace Staff from these organizations will be onsite to provide information and get you connected to the resources they have to offer. Presented as part of Inclusion Awareness Month. DROP IN
October 1: Have Dreams Serves children, teens and adults impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), offering after-school, workplace training and adult day programs, with diagnostic and family support services.
October 8: Regional Transportation Authority Mobility Management Program Promotes travel independence and empowers customers with mobility options. Provides education on accessible CTA, Metra and Pace public transit, and information and assistance applying for programs such as the Reduced Fare and Ride Free.
October 17: Illinois Assistive Technology Program Promotes the availability of assistive technology services and programs for people with disabilities. See a display of assistive devices for grooming, bathing, vision, hearing, medicine reminders, driving and eating.
October 18: Wheeling Township Senior/Disability Services Offers services for residents 60 and over and people with disabilities 18 and over. Free blood pressure screenings available during Township resource hours.
October 22: The Chicago Lighthouse Nonprofit social service organization serving the blind, visually impaired, disabled and veteran communities. Staff will get you connected to programs and services available at Lighthouse North in Glenview, for all ages experiencing vision loss.
October 28: The Village of Arlington Heights Disability Services The Village is committed to ensuring every citizen is afforded an equal opportunity to participate in Village programs, services, facilities and communications. Special Needs Legal and Future Planning
Arlington Heights Memorial Library OCT 2
Event Details Wed, Oct. 2, 2019 at 7:00 PM 500 North Dunton Avenue, Arlington Heights, IL, 60004
Begin the process of planning for the financial security of your loved one. Presented by Brian Rubin, of Rubin Law. For parents and guardians of individuals with special needs. Presented as part of Inclusion Awareness Month. Register at ahml.info.
Vernon Area Library working to turn the page on climate crisis
Recycling used coffee pods is among the sustainability improvements made at the Lincolnshire-based Vernon Area Public Library.Vernon Area Public Library Rebecca Ferguson
Updated9/20/2019 10:24 AM
Managers and staff at Vernon Area Public Library have been working to reduce the environmental footprint of operations in cost-effective ways. A team of employees from across the library took a close look at supplies and practices and recommended changes that could be implemented under the existing budget.
Reducing resource use is an immediate win: a greener footprint can also lower bills. Through the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance STEP program, the library has received facility energy audits and energy- saving products including new faucet aerators, occupancy sensors, vending sensors and LED light bulbs, at no charge. The library is automating heating and cooling cycles, planning additional lighting control updates and changing the parking lot lights, all with an eye toward lowering energy use.
Library staff found a way to save at public programs, too, by eliminating plastic water bottles from library events. Single-serving plastic water bottles require resources for bottling, distribution and recycling. Now instead of bottles, the library provides a pitcher of filtered tap water and cups for program attendees. Tap water saves all those resources and costs a fraction of bottled. And staff learned as they researched that tap water is usually the healthier option. Bottled water contains microplastics and, in most communities, tap water has stricter quality controls than bottled. Office paper use has been curtailed by not printing unless necessary, setting computers to print on two sides and using electronic messaging channels such as in-library TV screens and email.
For the printed newsletter, communications staff cut its length by 20 percent and moved to printing on 100 percent post--consumer waste recycled paper. The move saves 32 trees, more than 2,400 gallons of water, electricity equivalent to that used by an average Illinois household over 20 months and the equivalent of carbon emissions of nearly 5,200 car miles -- that's about the same as driving from New York City to Los Angeles and back. These Earth-friendly savings are experienced every time the quarterly newsletter is printed.
Other Earth-friendly improvements include collecting all patron and staff beverage pods ("K-cups") for recycling. A program called Grounds to Grow On separates pod components: the grounds become compost and the plastic and foil are recycled.
Paper towel use has been reduced by making washable microfiber towels available in staff kitchenettes. And staff have been encouraged to keep reusable cups, mugs and utensils at work, forgoing disposables for snacks and meals. Cleaning and maintenance staff committed to using biodegradable products and Earth-friendly equipment whenever possible.
Finally, a new remote book drop helps library patrons reduce their carbon emissions. Located outside Sunset Foods in Long Grove, the bin allows patrons to return books, movies and other borrowed items without making a separate trip to the Lincolnshire library. A second remote return bin is located near the Buffalo Grove Community Arts Center in the adjacent Grove Shopping Center.
The "green team" efforts came ahead of a community survey this summer that found sustainability to be patrons' top priority for facility improvements at the Lincolnshire facility.
Waukegan transferring ownership of Carnegie Library to park district
dailyherald.com/news/20190916/waukegan-transferring-ownership-of-carnegie-library-to-park-district
September 16, 2019
By Mary Chappell Daily Herald correspondent
Updated 9/16/2019 10:10 PM
The Waukegan Park District will take ownership of the city's historic Carnegie Library in late 2019 or early 2020 as part of a public-private project with the Waukegan Historical Society.
The city council on Monday evening agreed to the transfer, although some details still need to be worked out, according to a news release from the park district.
Built in 1903, the Carnegie Library, 1 N. Sheridan Road, is registered on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a Waukegan historical landmark. It will be repurposed for expanded history programs, exhibits, collections and archives.
"We couldn't be more excited to restore and adaptively reuse one of Waukegan's most historic buildings," said Josh Bill, the president of the Waukegan Historical Society.
Jay Lerner, the park district's executive director, said the project will strengthen Waukegan "as a whole."
"The Waukegan Park District and the Waukegan Historical Society are partners that are committed to meeting the needs of the community and delivering," Lerner said. "We are enthusiastic about this opportunity and we'll work diligently with the city of Waukegan, once the agreement criteria have been met."
Waukegan's current library building, at County and Clay streets, has been in use since 1965.
1/1 Addison Public Library launches new 'Book Bins' program at Hamdard Center
dailyherald.com/submitted/20190924/addison-public-library-launches-new-book-bins-program-at-hamdard- center September 24, 2019
Kathy Welko, right, Addison Public Library's head of community engagement, shows the new "Book Bins" to Hamdard Center's Jimena Blancas, patient service representative, and Marco Diaz, community relations specialist. Courtesy of Emily Glimco
1/3 By Emily Glimco Addison Public Library
Updated 9/24/2019 6:14 PM
Patients at Addison's Hamdard Center will now discover "Book Bins" in the waiting rooms, thanks to a partnership between the center, Addison Public Library, Addison Early Childhood Collaborative, and the Friends of the Addison Public Library.
On Friday, Sept. 20, library staff delivered "Book Bins" filled with English and Spanish books to the Hamdard Center. The idea is simple: read a book while you wait for your appointment. If you don't finish the book, you're welcome to take it home.
But to Kathy Welko, head of community engagement at the library, and Brandon Pettigrew, director of development and strategy at Hamdard, the "Book Bins" are more than just new reading material for the waiting rooms. They are an opportunity to serve and connect with the Addison community.
Hamdard Center, located at 228 E. Lake St., is a nonprofit community health center that provides a variety of services, such as behavioral health services for adolescents and adults, general primary care and family medicine, health education, immunizations, and more to any patient in need regardless of ability to pay.
To Pettigrew, their services don't stop there.
"(Hamdard) recently went through a needs assessment that has really helped us see what else our patients need beyond health care. Often times it's education and literacy where we need to connect," Pettigrew said. "We really view ourselves as a safety net, and the goal of any good safety net is to connect with other safety nets to form a strong support network."
In addition to the literacy benefits of the new "Book Bins," Pettigrew hopes Hamdard's patients will "get some enjoyment out of what is sometimes a scary experience" at the doctor's office.
"If they remember the joy of leaving with a new book and they want to come back, their experience is more positive," Pettigrew said.
Welko first got the idea for the Book Bins through a library networking group that specifically focuses on sharing outreach ideas. She credits Outreach Services Librarian David Kelsey of the St. Charles Public Library for mentioning the idea at one of those meetings.
2/3 "Our populations are different, so we're doing our program a bit differently," Welko explained. "But I knew that it would be a great program to replicate for the Addison community."
On a separate occasion, Hamdard reached out to the library to discuss new ways they might be able to work together to help the Addison community.
Hamdard and the library had previously worked together on programming around nutrition and healthy relationships, but after meeting with the staff at Hamdard to learn more about their services, Welko and Pettigrew knew the "Book Bins" program would be a perfect fit and that Hamdard would be the ideal pilot location.
In order to launch the "Book Bins" program, the Friends of the Addison Public Library donated books for the first set of bins -- three bins containing about 20 books each.
Welko also credits the Mary Haley and the Addison Early Childhood Collaborative for their help in finding more resources to stock the bins with donated books so that the library can keep the "Book Bins" stocked with titles to enjoy.
Pettigrew said he looks forward to watching their latest partnership with the library take flight.
"Libraries are really taking it upon themselves to recognize the needs of their communities," he said. "So many people rely on libraries. We want to be able to spread that message, just like the (Addison Public Library) spreads our message when they refer people who need our services to us."
Welko, too, is excited about the new "Book Bins."
While she hopes that the program will inspire more community partners to reach out to her about hosting Book Bins at their locations, she is most eager to see the "Book Bins" make a difference on a more personal level.
"We really hope ("Book Bins") encourage people to enjoy reading, whether it's a child reading on their own and improving their reading skills or it's a parent taking an opportunity to read with their child," Welko said. "And in the end, we'd love to see them come visit the library. We want them to know that we want them here, and that the library is here for absolutely everyone in the community."
3/3 Deborah Hill, the library board’s vice president, said the board has talked about these renovations all five years she’s served on the board.
When original project bids were not in line with the library’s budget, the board had the architect modify plans so as not to go over budget, she noted.
“I think the library — both the board and staff — engaged in a very deliberate process to make the best choices to maximize workflow space for the staff and to enhance the patron experience, while also being mindful of the limited resources of the library,” Hill said. “We try to be very careful.”
Since September is National Library Card Sign-up Month, 12 local businesses have partnered with the library to offer perks or coordinated programming, like a gardening program with Good Earth Greenhouse and a jam tasting with Rare Bird Preserves, said Francisca Arnold, who handles marketing and public relations for the library.
“The business partnerships provide us an opportunity to expand our reach and impact as a small library,” Arnold said in an email. “We hope that it will also connect us with members of the community that may not have a library card or be aware of the wonderful resource that it is.”
2/2 River Forest Library renovation starts
chicagotribune.com/suburbs/river-forest/ct-rfl-library-renovation-tl-0919-20190916- wko2r2mlevhhhneshw56kozv5e-story.html By Caitlin Mullen
Construction started this week on a renovation project at the River Forest Public Library.
As the lobby and staff offices of the library, 735 Lathrop Ave., River Forest, undergo renovations, the public entrance has been temporarily moved.
The project had originally been set to begin in March, but was put on hold when bids came in higher than expected. Library officials made adjustments to the design plans to lower the cost.
Designed by Williams Architects and handled by contractor J.A. Watts, Inc., the project is being funded through the library’s capital reserves and will cost $300,000, with an additional $30,000 for the purchase of furniture, said Joanna Bertucci, the library’s materials and business services manager.
Bertucci said the building’s main entrance on Lathrop Avenue is closed and a temporary wall is up in the lobby to block off construction areas.
“Basically, we have all the staff kind of behind the scenes on our first floor,” Bertucci said.
Patrons are being diverted to an alternate entrance on the building’s north side, which brings them into the library’s meeting room, she said. That’s where staff are handling circulation, technical services and processing of new materials for the time being.
Restrooms will remain accessible. Bertucci recommended patrons check the library’s website for program information, since some programs will be held off-site during construction.
“But we are planning to be open the whole time,” she said. “We are looking at an end of November completion date at this point.”
Last updated in 1992, staff offices and the break room will be redone, while the lobby renovation aims to increase the amount of lighting in the main area — including adding energy-efficient lighting — and improve workflow, Bertucci said.
They’ll also revamp the display space in the lobby and make the circulation desk more prominent, she said.
“Ultimately, the goal is that we can provide the best service to our patrons as possible,” Bertucci said.
1/2 University of Chicago helps elementary students build home libraries
news.uchicago.edu/story/university-chicago-helps-elementary-students-build-home-libraries
Sep 23, 2019
My Very Own Library program to provide free books to students in U.S., Dominican Republic
The University of Chicago is helping thousands of students kick-start their home libraries 1/3 this year by partnering with schools, nonprofit organizations and Scholastic Book Fairs to provide half a million free books through the UChicago My Very Own Library literacy program.
In U.S. cities and the Dominican Republic, students in pre-K through eighth grade will select books at their schools’ Scholastic Book Fairs, the exclusive book fair and book supply partner to the UChicago My Very Own Library program, allowing the children to take the lead in curating their own home libraries. Each student will bring home 10 books of their choice every year; because all students in a school participate, the children will work together to build a strong reading community.
Studies show programs that distribute books to children to foster book ownership help improve students’ reading performance, writing performance, attitudes toward reading and general academic performance.
“UChicago My Very Own Library provides vital and direct support for children to advance reading skills, while building a lifelong personal connection with books. The University of Chicago is proud to have the opportunity to foster and advance this important program,” said Robert J. Zimmer, president of the University of Chicago.
“Books have the power to open up a world of wonder, develop vocabulary skills, and help students spark their creativity and imagination,” said Janice K. Jackson, CEO of Chicago Public Schools. “We are thankful for this critical partnership with the University of Chicago, which will provide our students with more opportunities to harness the transformative power of a good book.”
This year, the University of Chicago assumed the leadership of My Very Own Library, which partners with nonprofit organizations in Chicago; Newark; Milwaukee; Kansas City, Missouri; Richmond, California; Delaware; and the Dominican Republic to implement the program through Scholastic Book Fairs. At the completion of the program, participating students will have received a total of 100 books from pre-K through eighth grade. UChicago My Very Own Library provides participating schools with support to host engaging family literacy events, and inspiring visits with a diverse panel of nationally recognized or locally affiliated children’s authors and illustrators.
As part of UChicago My Very Own Library, researchers with the University’s School of Social Service Administration will study the program’s impact on educational outcomes and will provide findings and suggestions for improvements for the following year. The University’s Office of Civic Engagement Neighborhood Schools Program will play an important role by aligning UChicago undergraduate students with volunteer literacy support roles at participating schools in Chicago.
2/3 My Very Own Library was introduced to Chicago in 2015 via the UChicago Charter School. The results were so successful that the University brought the program to several other South Side schools, including Beasley Elementary Magnet Academic Center, Beethoven Elementary School and South Shore Fine Arts Academy. For the current school year, 17 Chicago public schools are participating in the program. By the end of the school year, the program will have given 234,000 books and donated more than $1.2 million to support literacy efforts for Chicago students.
Scholastic Book Fairs is a division of Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company. The Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report: 7th Edition shows that the majority of kids ages 6–17 agree their favorite books are ones that they have picked out themselves.
“Giving books to young children not only sparks a love of reading in students, but studies show that it can lead to better academic and social emotional outcomes,” said UChicago’s Duane Davis, the Chicago director of My Very Own Library. “One of the easiest ways to help a young child, no matter their income level, is to gift them the right books for their age.”
My Very Own Library was founded in 2011. It was designed to foster a lifelong love of learning in children while also helping them to own and take pride in their home library collection. The program has served more than 50,000 students and distributed more than 2 million books since its inception.
3/3 Shining a Light in the Darkness: Celebrating Banned Books Week
ilaconnecter.home.blog/2019/09/25/shining-a-light-in-the-darkness-celebrating-banned-books-week/
By Illinois Library Association September 25, 2019
By Donna Forbis
Each year, the last week in September is designated as “Banned Books Week,” a time to reflect on the history of censorship and a time to actively fight those who would stymie the free flow of information in today’s world. As librarians, we sometimes have a love/hate relationship with Banned Books Week. Our hearts want us to shout from the rooftops, “Everyone should read these books!”, but our minds fret over whether drawing attention to questionable content that may be lurking on our shelves will offend some of our more conservative patrons. How do we approach this tightrope and successfully cross it, even without a net?
1/4 I once worked in a small, rural library whose patrons consisted mostly of pre-teens and retirees. We operated on limited funds, and accepted many book donations from our patrons. Our patrons were young readers who devoured everything in our Juvenile sections, and older folks who gravitated toward biographies, thrillers, and cozy mysteries, so those items tended to dominate our shelves. The number of patrons who read cutting edge fiction were few and far between.
One day, a patron came in, gushing about the books she was reading, and why didn’t the library have them? She reached into her bag and withdrew the second volume of the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy. The head librarian remarked that she had not read them herself, but acknowledged their popularity. The conversation drifted to other topics, but the patron returned the next day with one copy of each of the three books, stating that she was donating them to the library. She also mentioned she had told several neighbors she was donating the books, so the word was already out on the street that they would soon be available.
After lengthy discussion, the head librarian announced that these books would be added to the catalog, but not shelved with the regular fiction. They were to be kept behind the desk, available only upon request. We began checking them out, but shortly thereafter, they mysteriously “disappeared.” A second set of books showed up to replace the first “missing” set, but those also disappeared. When the entire catalog was digitized, it was confirmed that none of the books were anywhere in the library, behind the desk or otherwise. The elderly head librarian had taken it upon herself to graciously accept the donation from one patron, but then remove the books from the catalog so as not to offend any others.
Maybe that head librarian though she was acting in the patrons’ best interest by not making the books available, but her argument was weakened by the lengthy wait list of patrons wanting to read them. It is just this kind of thinking that leads to books being challenged or
2/4 banned – well-intentioned people with misguided actions deciding to be the arbiters of taste and decency for those around them. When we choose to take a stand against the censorship of the printed word, we are acknowledging that these books may not be for everyone, but there may be truth in some of those pages that our patrons desperately need to hear.
I think about the young girl, without a good female role model, who can benefit from the wisdom and practical information on feminine hygiene imparted in Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. Somewhere there is a teen, questioning their own sexual identity, that will benefit from reading about Alex in the Magnus Chase series. Ironically, one of the most frequently challenged books is Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, set in a dystopian future where books are banned and the job of the Fireman is to burn them. All of these books, and more, have something to offer their readers, whether it is reassurance in their own questionings, or strength to stand up for what is truly in one’s heart.
This brings us back to our desire to celebrate Banned Books Week. Once again, I am working in a semi-rural library district, where some books just aren’t part of our catalog, but mostly due to space considerations and the availability of titles through inter-library loan from nearby, larger districts within our metropolitan area. As I was going from branch to branch, wrapping books in brown paper and adding colorful emoji stickers to represent the reasons for each book’s challenges, I was greeted with a mixture of reactions, but almost all positive. By displaying our “questionable” material in this manner, it highlighted the theme of the week and created a conversation starter for our librarians and patrons to discuss the problems related to censorship. My favorite reaction came as I was wrapping a copy of Stephen King’s Cujo (offensive language, sexual content, and violent content). The librarian became giddy and gleeful, declaring that she was happy to see “that book covered up. I hate that cover, with the snarling mouth and dog fangs! Can we keep the brown paper on it, even after Banned Books Week is over?”
3/4 She had nothing against the content, only the illustration on the front!
Whatever you do to celebrate Banned Books Week, make sure it is more than just, “Here are some controversial books.” Make it a point to talk to your patrons, engage them on the topic of censorship and freedom of expression, and explain why it is so important to draw attention to challenged books. You will not get everyone to agree with you on the topic of censorship or book banning, but you will learn more about who your patrons are, giving you greater insight in to how to balance on that tightrope between freedom of intellectual expression and alienation through offense.
4/4 Banned Books: Librarians Push Back Against Censorship
news.wttw.com/2019/09/23/banned-books-librarians-push-back-against-censorship
More than 480 books were challenged or banned in libraries, schools and universities across the country in 2018, according to the American Library Association, which organizes the annual Banned Books Week to highlight the threat of censorship.
While there’s little effort to challenge what adults read, attempts to limit what kinds of content children and teenagers are exposed to happens often – and books that depict LGBTQ characters or issues are the most frequently challenged.
“Books written by adults intended for an adult audience generally don’t get challenges,” said Deborah Caldwell-Stone, deputy director of the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom. “But in regards to books intended for young people there is a great deal of dispute. And that’s reflected in our top 11 most challenged books – if you look at
1/3 them, the majority of them are either young adult books or books intended for children that deal with subjects like Black Lives Matter or LGBTQ issues or that have an LGBTQ character as a protagonist.”
In fact, all three of the most challenged books include at least some LGBTQ content.
https://youtu.be/XXQtgx9HNxE
The book that was challenged most in 2018 was “George” by Alex Gino which includes a transgender character. Number two on the list is “A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo,” by Jill Twiss with illustrations by E.G. Keller, which features a same-sex romance between two rabbits. And third on the list: “Captain Underpants,” written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey, which was objected to on the grounds that it included a same-sex couple.
However, fourth on the list is “The Hate U Give” written by Angie Thomas, which was challenged by the Mount Pleasant, South Carolina chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police on the grounds that it encouraged “distrust of police.”
According to Caldwell-Stone, most of the challenges come from parents, but advocacy groups are also getting involved.
“Some of the most intense campaigns come from advocacy groups who want to make sure a certain kind of content is not available in a school or a public library,” said Caldwell-Stone.
2/3 While public attempts to censor books or other content are often successfully rebuffed, there are times where censorship happens under the radar.
“There are instances when administrators act on their own,” said Caldwell-Stone. “For example, a principal will receive a parent’s complaint about a book and they’ll simply get up from their desk, walk to the school library and pull the book without following policy or informing anyone.”
Since 1982’s Pico decision, the Supreme Court has held that the First Amendment limits the power of junior high and high school officials from removing books from school libraries because of their content.
“Generally what is barred or can be regulated is obscene materials – and there is a rigorous test for that – and child pornography,” said Caldwell Stone.
During Banned Books Week, which started Sunday, the ALA is hoping the public will stand up for the freedom to read and participate in their Dear Banned Author letter-writing campaign which encourages people to write or tweet their favorite banned or challenged author.
3/3 It's Banned Books Week. Here are the 11 most challenged books last year
cnn.com/2019/09/22/us/banned-books-week-2019-trnd/index.html
September 22, 2019
(CNN)Books have long been the source of changing perspectives, but not without some controversy.
In 2018, at least 347 challenges were filed seeking to remove 483 books from libraries or schools, according to a recent news release from the American Library Association (ALA), a sponsor of Banned Books Week, which runs September 22-28. The annual event started in 1982, the same year the Supreme Court ruled that students' First Amendment rights were violated when Kurt Vonnegut's "Slaughterhouse-Five" and eight other books were removed from school libraries. Since then, books such as the "Harry Potter" series and "The Adventures of Captain Underpants" have made the list. Despite the legal precedent, schools and libraries still receive formal challenges to remove books from library shelves or nix them from reading lists to protect children from material some people see as inappropriate. In 2018, more than half the books that drew complaints did so because they contained LGBTQIA+ content, the ALA said. Other reasons include profanity, sexually explicit content, religious viewpoints and materials that candidly portray injustices and inequality experienced by people of color.
1/2 Read More These 11 are the most-challenged books of 2018: "George," by Alex Gino This children's novel made the list because it features a transgender character, according to the ALA. "A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo," by Jill Twiss, illustrated by E. G. Keller The American Library Association reports LGBTQIA+ content, political and religious viewpoints are among the reasons why this book was challenged. "Captain Underpants" series, written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey This book made the list because it includes a same-sex couple, which those calling for the ban perceived as encouraging disruptive behavior, the ALA said. "The Hate U Give," by Angie Thomas Thomas' debut novel, written as a reaction to the police shooting of Oscar Grant, includes drug use, profanity and sexual references, which are reasons it was challenged. It was also deemed "anti-cop," according to the ALA. "Drama," written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier This graphic novel is on the list because it features LGBTQIA+ characters and themes. "Thirteen Reasons Why," by Jay Asher A novel turned Netflix series centers around teen suicide, which is the reason the ALA said it made the list. "This One Summer," by Mariko Tamaki, illustrated by Jillian Tamaki A coming-of-age story is illustrated in this graphic novel and was banned or challenged because of certain illustrations and because it includes profanity and sexual references. "Skippyjon Jones" series, written and illustrated by Judy Schachner A Siamese cat takes center stage in this children's picture book. It made the list due to its depiction of cultural stereotypes, the ALA said. "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian," by Sherman Alexie This novel was challenged or banned due to its inclusion of profanity, sexual references and its religious viewpoint. "This Day in June," by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Kristyna Litten This picture book illustrates a Pride parade, and its inclusion of LGBTQIA+ content is the reason it was challenged or banned. "Two Boys Kissing," by David Levithan If the title isn't obvious, the young adult novel explores gay teens journey to love and acceptance. It was challenged due to its LGBTQIA+ content.
2/2 Oprah’s Book Club starts a new chapter with Apple
apple.com/newsroom/2019/09/oprahs-book-club-starts-a-new-chapter-with-apple/
PRESS RELEASE September 23, 2019
1/6 Oprah’s Book Club will connect readers around the world by celebrating selections on Apple Books and author interviews on Apple TV+.
Cupertino, California — Apple and Oprah Winfrey today announced Oprah’s Book Club will connect a community of readers worldwide to stories that truly matter by today’s most thought-provoking authors. Winfrey, the esteemed producer, actress, talk show host, philanthropist and CEO of OWN, will partner with Apple to build a vibrant, global book club that has the power to both transport and transform people — turning every book into an opportunity for self-discovery, and bringing the world together through reading.
Winfrey’s first book selection is “The Water Dancer” by Ta-Nehisi Coates, available for pre- order now on Apple Books in both ebook and audiobook formats, and debuting tomorrow. 1 Winfrey will interview Coates for the first installment of her new exclusive Apple TV+ series, “Oprah’s Book Club,” premiering November 1. A new episode will be available every two months. For every Oprah’s Book Club selection sold on Apple Books, Apple will make a contribution to the American Library Association to support local libraries, fund programs that give access to everyone and create lifelong readers at an early age.
2/6 The first selection from Oprah’s Book Club is Ta-Nehisi Coates’s novel “The Water Dancer,” available on the Apple Books app on iPhone, iPad and Mac.
“Few people in the world can bring us together like Oprah, whose compassion and grace celebrating the power of books are unmatched,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “It’s our honor to provide a new platform for Oprah’s Book Club and support the American Library Association in opening hearts and minds to the joy of reading.”
3/6 “I am who I am today because of the experience of learning to read at an early age. Reading opened up a whole world for me beyond the red dirt road and my grandmother’s porch in Mississippi,” said Oprah Winfrey. “I want to do that for everybody. And the opportunity to do this with Apple, to speak to people all over the world about the pleasures, the excitement, the tension, the drama that a good book can bring you … I don’t know what’s better than that.”
Audiences can watch “Oprah’s Book Club,” a new exclusive series on Apple TV+, starting November 1, with the first installment featuring an interview with “The Water Dancer” author Ta-Nehisi Coates.
Readers around the world can easily discover Oprah’s Book Club through the Apple Books app, where they can learn more about the latest selection and browse previous selections in a beautiful and immersive experience. With the new Reading Goals feature in Apple Books, readers can make reading a daily habit more easily.
4/6 The new Reading Goals feature on Apple Books with iOS 13 helps readers make reading a daily habit more easily. 5/6 Winfrey will interview the authors of her book club selections at various locations. Her conversation with Coates about “The Water Dancer” will be filmed in front of a live audience at Apple Carnegie Library in Washington, D.C. next month. Audiences around the world can watch “Oprah’s Book Club” starting November 1 exclusively on Apple TV+, Apple’s all-original video subscription service and home for the world’s greatest storytellers.
6/6 Fall into fun at Autumn Harvest Oct. 5
dailyherald.com/submitted/20190919/fall-into-fun-at-autumn-harvest-oct-5
September 19, 2019
Gather a team of family or friends and build a scarecrow at Autumn Harvest Oct. 5 in Arlington Heights. Courtesy of Village of Arlington Heights
Submitted by Village of Arlington Heights
Updated 9/24/2019 11:08 AM
If you like building a scarecrow, decorating pumpkins, taking a hayride, visiting animals at a petting zoo, then join the fun at Autumn Harvest from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at North School Park Saturday, Oct. 5.
Celebrate the fall season by gathering a team of friends or family and entering the Build-a- Scarecrow competition, which begins at 11 a.m. The village will supply all you need for this activity while you supply the creativity.
Autumn Harvest will include food and music throughout the day. Entertainment includes local school bands, a performance from Vibe, a dance group from the Arlington Heights Park District, demonstrations from a pumpkin carver, a magic show and more.
Mark this event on your calendar and get ready to enjoy a fall celebration. This event is sponsored by the village's Special Events Commission in cooperation with the Arlington Heights Park District. 1/2 Thanks to the Premium Sponsors of the Special Events Commission that help fund its various events -- First Midwest Bank, Wells Fargo Advisors and Bartlett Tree Experts.
2/2 Northwest Community Hospital's 60th anniversary gala raises money for cancer care
dailyherald.com/news/20190922/northwest-community-hospitals-60th-anniversary-gala-raises-money-for- cancer-care September 22, 2019
Retired Northwest Community Hospital CEO Malcolm "Mac" MacCoun, left, speaks with Dr. Philip Lobo at Saturday night's 60th anniversary gala at the Renaissance Hotel in Schaumburg. MacCoun, who led the hospital for more than 20 years, credited the medical staff and committed board members with buying into the hospital's vision for growth. Courtesy of Terry Younglove
1/5 Mary Sheahen, center, shares a laugh with Laurie Gow, left, and Kathy Ferket at Northwest Community Hospital's 60th anniversary gala Saturday night at the Renaissance Hotel in Schaumburg. Courtesy of Terry Younglove
2/5 Gala co-chairs, from left, Dr. E. Quinn Regan, Lea Regan, Diane Hill and Dick Hoffman pose at the event honoring Northwest Community Hospital's 60th anniversary Saturday night at the Renaissance Hotel in Schaumburg. Courtesy of Terry Younglove
3/5 Shirley Fish, one of the top donors to Northwest Community Hospital's cancer care campaign, talks with Mary and Dr. Stephen Nigh at the hospital's 60th anniversary gala Saturday night at the Renaissance Hotel in Schaumburg. Fish's husband died of leukemia last year, and she has stage four lung cancer. Courtesy of Terry Younglove
By Eileen O. Daday Daily Herald correspondent
Posted9/22/2019 5:30 AM
Officials with Northwest Community Hospital described Saturday night's 60th anniversary gala as historic. Even before guests arrived, the event had raised more than $1 million to launch its cancer care capital campaign.
"We've never raised this much money," said David Ungurean, Northwest Community Hospital Foundation president. "That's why it's such a historic event. But at every milestone, with every addition, the community has stepped forward to make this partnership happen."
The event drew nearly 600 people at the Renaissance Hotel in Schaumburg, including board members, current and retired physicians, donors and longtime supporters.
"This is a celebration of community. The community built this hospital and supported the hospital every step of the way," said Diane Hill, event co-chair. "Philanthropy helped us achieve cutting edge technology to benefit the community."
Guests reflected on the hospital's grassroots, door-to-door campaign to open the hospital in the 1950s, as well as seeing all the major enhancements added over the decades, featured on standing panel displays.
During the evening, CEO Stephen Scogna announced that NCH is pursuing the expansion of its cancer program in order to provide advanced cancer care and better meet the needs of the community.
He outlined a plan to meet with key opinion leaders over the next 12 months to form a strategic plan for a new cancer center, but he credited the community financial support as critical.
"This evening shows how important the support of the community is in furthering our vision," Scogna said. "This is what I live for."
Elected leaders also attended, including Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes, who called the milestone an important event for the village.
"Northwest Community is a cornerstone in Arlington Heights," Hayes said, "not only for all the services they provide for our residents but for residents across the Northwest suburbs." 4/5 Major donors were recognized during the evening, including Shirley Fish of Arlington Heights, who made a significant gift toward the cancer care campaign. For her family, Fish said, it was personal.
"My husband died of leukemia last year and I have stage four lung cancer," Fish said. "We wanted to enhance where we're getting good health care."
The hospital's longest-serving CEO, Mac MacCoun, now of Lake in the Hills, said he was not surprised at the evening's success. He credited the medical staff, nurses and technicians, and committed board members with buying into the hospital's vision for growth.
"We developed a vision to become a regional medical center," said MacCoun, who led the hospital for more than 20 years, "and have all of the services and depth of talent that you'd expect to find at a university hospital in the middle of the city."
5/5 Northwest Community Hospital announces vision for cancer center
dailyherald.com/news/20190922/northwest-community-hospital-announces-vision-for-cancer-center
September 22, 2019
An architectural rendering shows a cancer center Northwest Community Hospital has proposed building. Courtesy of Northwest Community Hospital
Russell Lissau Follow @rlissau
Posted9/22/2019 5:30 AM
Northwest Community Hospital officials are seeking to build a dedicated center for cancer treatment.
1/2 Hospital leaders announced the vision for the cancer center Saturday night during a gala at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center that celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Arlington Heights hospital's opening in 1959.
Few concrete details were available about the concept.
Many options are available, a hospital spokeswoman said.
If a cancer center is built, it won't be on the main Northwest Community Hospital campus at 800 W. Central Road. There isn't enough open space there for such a facility.
Stephen Scogna, hospital president and CEO, said the organization intends to spend the next year developing a program to expand its cancer care, including creating a cancer center.
It'll be the mission of the philanthropic NCH Foundation to raise funds over the next few years for the project.
Proceeds from Saturday night's gala, estimated to be more than $1 million, will go toward the foundation's cancer vision campaign.
The Northwest Community campus has a 509-bed hospital and other health amenities.
The company also has doctor's offices, immediate care centers, labs and other facilities throughout the Northwest suburbs.
2/2 Join Community Hike to End Hunger on Oct. 20 in Arlington Heights
dailyherald.com/submitted/20190924/join-community-hike-to-end-hunger-on-oct-20-in-arlington-heights
September 24, 2019
Cindy Greenwood
Updated 9/25/2019 7:49 AM
The Northwest Community Crop Hunger Walk -- 1K and 5K hikes to raise funds for local food pantries and hunger alleviation throughout the world -- will begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20 at Southminster Presbyterian Church, 916 E. Central Road, Arlington Heights. Day-of registration is at 12:15 p.m. There will be fun activities for kids, music and refreshments after the walk.
Walkers of all ages are welcome. Pre-register for the 1 K (.62 mile) or 5K (3.1 mile) walk, or donate to the Crop Hunger Walk by going to https://www.crophungerwalk.org/arlingtonheightsil/.
The Crop Hunger Walk began in 1946 after WWII, when a group of U.S. farmers donated their crops to impoverished people overseas. CROP stands for Community Response to Overseas Poverty. For the last 50 years, the CROP walk has been doing more than just feeding people. The organization also provides fresh water wells, agriculture training programs, emergency relief, literacy programs and sustainable development for people in poverty in 43 countries around the world. Twenty-five percent of the funds raised this year will go to local food pantries.
For more information, call the church office at 847-392-1060.
1/1 Arlington Heights Memorial Day ceremony focus of winning photo
dailyherald.com/news/20190920/arlington-heights-memorial-day-ceremony-focus-of-winning-photo
September 20, 2019
Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes congratulates photographer Judie Reynolds for winning the 2019 Village Hall Photography Competition. They were joined by members of the arts commission. Courtesy of Village of Arlington Heights
Daily Herald report
Updated 9/20/2019 10:15 PM
1/2 A photo by Judie Reynolds entitled "Remembering our Veterans" -- a scene from the Arlington Heights Memorial Day ceremony at Memorial Park -- is the winner of the 2019 Village Hall Photography Competition.
Reynolds, a member of the Arlington Camera Club, was positioned in a cherry picker machine when she snapped a panoramic photo of attendees during the Pledge of Allegiance. "Any other time people were doing various things, but at this moment, everyone is focused on doing the same thing: being united and paying respect to our flag," she said.
The village's arts commission judged entries in three areas -- technical, creativity, and interest -- and the winning image was to follow the theme "Celebrating our Arlington Heights Community."
Commission members and Mayor Tom Hayes recognized Reynolds at a village board meeting this week. The photo was enlarged and framed and will be displayed in village hall.
2/2 Arlington Heights receives 'Small Business Friendly' award
dailyherald.com/news/20190925/arlington-heights-receives-small-business-friendly-award
September 25, 2019
Arlington Heights has been named a "Small Business Friendly" community by the United States Conference of Mayors. The honor recognizes the village's efforts to help small businesses thrive. Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer, 2012
Christopher Placek Follow @chrisplacek
Posted9/25/2019 12:53 PM
The United States Conference of Mayors, through its Partner America program, this week designated Arlington Heights as a "Small Business Friendly" community for the village's programs and initiatives that make it easier for small businesses to thrive, officials said.
Village leaders received the award Thursday at 25N Coworking, the community and meeting space located in the Arlington Downs development. 1/2 Among the initiatives that earned Arlington Heights the honor is having a business development coordinator, Michael Mertes, who works to attract and retain businesses through personal meetings with owners and managers.
And through a small business development agreement with the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce, the village provides funding to help new and existing businesses navigate through village policies and procedures when owners are considering expansions. The program has been in place since 2013.
Under another agreement, the Illinois Small Business Development Center of Harper College operates a satellite office out of the village's planning and community development department at the village hall, offering confidential management, marketing and financial counseling sessions by appointment.
The village also has the Arlington Economic Alliance, a 13-member panel of local business leaders who serve as the village board's economic advisory committee on business issues.
The village and Alliance also put out a 22-page resource guide book with information on how to obtain licenses, permits or zoning approvals.
2/2 Homes and businesses open their doors for 2019 Illinois Solar Tour
dailyherald.com/submitted/20190925/homes-and-businesses-open-their-doors-for-2019-illinois-solar-tour
September 25, 2019
Submitted by Illinois Solar Energy Association
Updated 9/25/2019 3:21 PM
More than 125 sites will be on display for the 2019 Illinois Solar Tour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28.
Thousands of Illinoisans are expected to participate in the free event, hosted by the Illinois Solar Energy Association. It gives the public a chance to visit nearby homes and businesses who have decided to cut their utility bills by going solar. Hosts will talk with the public about the experience of going solar.
The large number of tour sites is evidence of the rapid growth of solar in Illinois, which created more than 1,300 new jobs in 2018 and billions in economic activity in recent years. But renewable energy in Illinois is at a crossroads due to uncertainty over state policy. The Illinois Power Agency predicts that renewable energy growth could stall next year without new legislation such as the Path to 100 Act (SB 1781 / HB 2966).
ISEA members and Illinois' renewable energy industry is supporting the Path to 100 Act as the best way to enable the state meets its clean energy goals. The bill would create an estimated 21,000 new jobs as well as $2.8 billion in new property tax revenues and $1.95 billion in landowner payments over 20 years.
Solar energy is the world's fastest growing source of energy. The self-guided Illinois Solar Tour will give participants valuable insight on the savings and environmental benefits of going solar as well as the costs and processes involved in solar installations.
Visit www.illinoissolartour.org to find sites.
Participating towns include but are not limited to: Alsip, Arlington Heights, Ashland, Aurora, Batavia, Belvidere, Bloomington, Brookfield, Buffalo Grove, Bull Valley, Burr Ridge, Carol Stream, Chicago, Clinton, Collinsville, Columbia, Concord, Crystal Lake, Decatur, Deer Park, Deerfield, DeKalb, Dow, Downers Grove, Earlville, East Peoria, Elburn, Elgin, Elmhurst, Evanston, Fithian, Glen Carbon, Glenview, Goreville, Grayslake, Greenville, Highland Park, Hinsdale, Hoffman Estates, Inverness, Jacksonville, La Grange, Lake in the Hills, Lebanon, Libertyville, Lisle, Mahomet, Matteson, McHenry, Minooka, Morris, Naperville, Niles, Normal,
1/2 Oak Park, Palatine, Palos Hills, Peoria, Plainfield, Prairie Grove, Prospect Heights, Rock City, Rockford, Schaumburg, Skokie, Springfield, Stonefort, Sullivan, Troy, Urbana, Washington, Wauconda, West Chicago, Wheaton, Williamsville, Wilmette, Winnetka and Woodridge.
The Illinois Solar Energy Association is a nonprofit organization that promotes the widespread application of solar and other forms of renewable energy through our mission of education and advocacy. ISEA is the state resource for renewable energy related policy developments, educational classes, events and access to local renewable energy businesses.
The Path to 100 Act is supported by labor and renewable energy organizations working to create jobs in Illinois. For more information, visit www.pathto100.net.
2/2 More suburbs starting to say 'yes' to pot sales
dailyherald.com/news/20190923/more-suburbs-starting-to-say-yes-to-pot-sales
September 23, 2019
More suburbs are leaning in favor of allowing recreational marijuana sales after early negativity this summer. Elburn already has voted to allow one pot shop in town. Associated Press
Elena Ferrarin Follow @ElenaFerrarin
Posted9/23/2019 5:30 AM
Discussions about whether to allow recreational marijuana sales in the suburbs have ramped up in the last two weeks, and more suburbs are leaning in favor after early negativity this summer.
Elburn has voted to allow marijuana sales, and village boards in South Elgin, Pingree Grove 1/3 and East Dundee plan to do the same after they decide on zoning regulations.
Arlington Heights, Elgin, Buffalo Grove, Lake in the Hills, St. Charles, Bartlett, Lombard, North Aurora, Island Lake and Wauconda have leaned toward "yes" to sales in their discussions so far.
On the other end of the spectrum are Naperville, Long Grove, Grayslake and Lake Zurich, which have voted to ban sales.
Park Ridge, Bloomingdale, Lake Barrington, Libertyville, Wheaton, Sugar Grove and Lisle leaned toward bans in preliminary discussions. The mayor of Batavia said that if the city council votes "yes," he will issue a veto, although the city council could override it.
The towns are part of an evolving scorecard of discussions taking place in the suburbs as Illinois becomes the 11th state to legalize consumption of recreational marijuana by people age 21 and over starting Jan. 1. The state will issue licenses for pot shops, or "dispensaries," and local governments can decide where and how many shops to allow, or whether to ban sales altogether.
Some towns are surveying residents' opinions. Sugar Grove's survey got 695 responses, with 36.1% strongly against and 28.9% strongly in favor of pot shops in town. Gurnee has an open online survey but nonresidents have been responding, so the village will run an Oct. 7 phone survey only for residents signed up on the village system, said Jack Linehan, assistant to the village administrator.
Some towns have yet to substantially tackle the topic. Geneva and Mundelein will discuss it today, the same day the mayor of Prospect Heights plans to appoint a committee to study the issue. Vernon Hills will hold a special committee-of-the-whole meeting Tuesday, and Schaumburg will do the same Wednesday.
The issue is complex and the decision not necessarily easy, suburban officials say. Municipal and county staff members have been researching and giving detailed public presentations about the state's 610-page Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.
Hanover Park had a 90-minute discussion, reaching no conclusion. Antioch held a special, two-hour informational meeting, with many urging the village board to ban marijuana sales, and no action was taken. Lisle had a three-hour or so discussion with presentations from experts.
Conversely, Elburn acted swiftly. The village board held its first marijuana discussion in early June, before the bill was signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. After a recommendation by the planning commission, the board voted Monday to allow one special use permit for a
2/3 marijuana shop in a business or commercial manufacturing district, Village Administrator John Nevenhoven said. One such permit will be allowed for every 10,000 residents in Elburn -- the village has about 6,500 residents.
Most suburbs are considering limiting pots shops to certain areas or with special use permits, or both. Island Lake would allow sales in business and industrial zones, while Bartlett would allow them only in business parks. Lombard would allow sales in office or industrial areas as well as on Roosevelt Road, and with a permit in the downtown and other areas. North Aurora is considering limiting sales to nonresidential areas. Others are looking at limiting the number of dispensaries: South Elgin would allow only one, like Elburn.
There's also the question of whether to allow marijuana "lounges," or places where people can consume marijuana on premises. Elgin and South Elgin don't want lounges, but East Dundee is OK with them.
The law allows municipalities to impose a local tax of up to 3% on marijuana sales. Several suburbs, including Lombard and St. Charles, indicated they want to capitalize on that.
Reports of a Sept. 30 deadline for counties and municipalities to decide whether to impose marijuana sales taxes are incorrect, state officials said.
An Oct. 1 deadline normally would apply if sales taxes were to go into effect Jan. 1, said Sam Salustro, public information officer for the Illinois Department of Revenue.
But the state bill says the sales tax will take effect Sept. 1, and local ordinances must be adopted and filed with the Illinois Department of Revenue before June 1, Salustro said.
There are no plans by the Pritzker administration to impose any deadlines for municipalities to opt out of marijuana sales, press secretary Jordan Abudayyeh said.
• Daily Herald staff writers Marie Wilson, Eric Peterson, Mick Zawislak, Susan Sarkauskas, Russell Lissau, Lauren Rohr, Robert Sanchez and Chris Placek contributed to this report.
3/3 Arlington Heights leans in favor of allowing recreational marijuana sales
northcooknews.com/stories/513841544-arlington-heights-leans-in-favor-of-allowing-recreational-marijuana- sales September 25, 2019 by Local Labs News Service | Sep 25, 2019
Arlington Heights leans in favor of permitting marijuana sales within its borders next year, when Illinois becomes the 11th state to legalize adult use of recreational cannabis, according to a tally published by the Daily Herald.
So far, 14 communities in the Chicago suburbs are leaning in favor of such sales, while 11 communities are leaning against and eight local governments are still studying the idea or remain uncertain about their plans, the Daily Herald reported.
Under a new law that takes effect Jan. 1, Illinois residents 21 or older can have up to 30 grams of cannabis in their possession, according to the advocacy group NORML. The law also gives local governments the power to allow or ban such sales.
1/3 The majority of the suburbs are looking at restricting marijuana sales to shops in certain areas or requiring the merchant to obtain a special use permit, according to the Daily Herald report.
Municipalities can also put in place a 3 percent tax on marijuana sales to generate revenues.
---
Chicago Suburbs’ Views on Pot Sales
City / Village Stance on Allowing Recreational Marijuana Sales
Antioch No action taken
Arlington Heights Leaning yes
Bartlett Leaning yes
Batavia Mayor vows veto
Bloomingdale Leaning no
Buffalo Grove Leaning yes
East Dundee Yes
Elburn Yes
Elgin Leaning yes
Geneva In discussions
Grayslake No
Hanover Park Undecided
Island Lake Leaning yes
Lake Barrington Leaning no
Lake in the Hills Leaning yes
Lake Zurich No
Libertyville Leaning no
Lisle Leaning no
Lombard Leaning yes
2/3 Long Grove No
Mundelein In discussions
Naperville No
North Aurora Leaning yes
Park Ridge Leaning no
Pingree Grove Yes
Prospect Heights Will appoint panel to study issue
Schaumburg In committee discussions
South Elgin Yes
St. Charles Leaning yes
Sugar Grove Leaning no
Vernon Hills In committee discussions
Wauconda Leaning yes
Wheaton Leaning no
Source: Daily Herald
3/3 Schaumburg village board backing idea of recreational pot sales in town
dailyherald.com/news/20190926/schaumburg-village-board-backing-idea-of-recreational-pot-sales-in-town
September 26, 2019
A Schaumburg village board majority Wednesday night endorsed the idea of allowing recreational marijuana sales in town. This man was seen in June smoking marijuana from a bowl at his home in DeKalb. Mark Busch/Daily Chronicle via AP
Bob Susnjara Follow @DHBobSusnjara
1/3 Posted9/26/2019 5:30 AM
A Schaumburg village board majority is endorsing the idea of allowing recreational marijuana sales in town.
Casual pot use becomes legal in Illinois beginning Jan. 1. Towns can't outlaw its use, but they can decide to prohibit businesses that sell it or restrict their location.
At a nonvoting Schaumburg village board committee session Wednesday night, Mayor Tom Dailly and four trustees backed the concept of allowing sales at marijuana dispensaries. Trustee George Dunham objected to the idea, while Trustee Jack Sullivan did not attend the meeting.
"It's going to be legal in the state," Trustee Mark Madej said. "There's going to be people using it from other cities. It's not illegal for them to use it."
Dunham didn't leave any wiggle room on where he stood on pot sales in Schaumburg.
"No," he said. "Flat, unadulterated no. Opt out. I realize I'm in the minority, but that's my thought."
Board members recommended limiting Schaumburg to five marijuana shops with no on- site consumption and enacting a maximum 3% local tax on sales. It also is proposed that the pot dispensaries be required to seek a special-use permit from the village board and establish a required distance away from sensitive areas such as schools, churches and day- care centers.
The marijuana issue is expected to be discussed again at a village board committee meeting Oct. 15. A final vote on the matter could occur Oct. 22, Village Manager Brian Townsend said.
Townsend said Schaumburg already has been approached by companies wanting to sell recreational marijuana in the village. Representatives from one of the pot businesses, Cresco Labs Inc., attended Wednesday's meeting.
Similar marijuana discussions have been held by village boards and city councils across the suburbs.
2/3 Thus far, Elburn has voted to allow marijuana sales, and village boards in South Elgin, Pingree Grove and East Dundee plan to do the same after they decide on zoning regulations. Based on discussions, leaning toward "yes" are Arlington Heights, Elgin, Buffalo Grove, Lake in the Hills, St. Charles, Bartlett, Lombard, North Aurora, Island Lake and Wauconda.
Naperville, Long Grove, Grayslake and Lake Zurich are among the communities that have voted to ban sales.
While not endorsing pot sales, a Palatine village council majority this month agreed to seek more research on potential local tax revenue and other issues. By not immediately opting out, a public hearing on the idea of recreational marijuana sales in Palatine is expected in October or November.
3/3 Vote On Arlington Park's 2020 Season Is Today
patch.com/illinois/arlingtonheights/vote-arlington-parks-2020-season-today
September 24, 2019
The Illinois Racing Board will vote Tuesday on whether to continue horse races in 2020. (GoogleMaps)
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — The Illinois Racing Board is expected to vote today on 2020 racing dates for the Arlington International Racecourse. The meeting will start at 11 a.m. on Sept. 24 and will be held in the James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph St.in Chicago on the 9th floor.
1/2 Last week, the Illinois Racing Board adjourned delaying a vote that would set racing dates for Arlington International Racecourse next year. Arlington has applied for 68 live dates in 2020 for thoroughbred racing.
The vote comes weeks after Churchill Downs Inc. announced it would not move forward with obtaining a casino license for the racetrack. In the unexpected announcement, the owner of the local racetrack, who had lobbied for years for slot machines and table games at Arlington Park, said horse racing would continue through at least 2021 at the racetrack as the company decides on its plans, according to a Daily Herald report.
Company officials blamed a state law that requires racetracks to contribute a portion of its casino game profit to racing purses, the Daily Herald reports. The company, according to a statement, is thinking about moving its racing license to a different community in the Chicago area or elsewhere in Illinois.
"The loss of Arlington would be devastating to the community of Arlington Heights as it is the city's largest employer seasonally," according to a statement from Arlington Park.
Arlington International Racecourse has been drawing horse racing enthusiasts to its racetrack since 1927. The racetrack closed for the season last weekend.
Read more local news from Arlington Heights
2/2 Will Arlington Park have a 2020 season? Racing board vote expected today.
dailyherald.com/news/20190924/will-arlington-park-have-a-2020-season-racing-board-vote-expected-today
September 24, 2019
Thousands gathered for the last day of the 2019 racing season on Saturday at Arlington International Racecourse. The Illinois Racing Board will meet Tuesday to set dates for next season, but it first wants more answers from Arlington's parent company about the track's future. Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer
Jeffrey Brincat
Christopher Placek Follow @chrisplacek 1/3 Updated 9/24/2019 11:47 AM
The short-term future of Arlington International Racecourse rests in the hands of the Illinois Racing Board, which on Tuesday plans to press parent company Churchill Downs for answers about its long-term plans for the storied racing mecca.
The nine-member state regulatory panel will gather at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the James R. Thompson Center in downtown Chicago to hear additional testimony from representatives of Arlington -- whether they be management based at the Arlington Heights track or corporate brass from the Churchill offices in Louisville, Kentucky.
That's before an expected vote on Arlington's request for 68 live racing dates in 2020.
Saturday marked the last day of the 2019 season at Arlington, but with the track's uncertain future, some racing fans feared it could have been the last day ever.
The board a week ago delayed its annual vote on racing dates after leveling criticism at Churchill for its decision not to apply for long-sought slots and table games at Arlington. Revenue from those casino-style games would help boost declining horse race purses and, supporters believe, resuscitate Illinois' declining horse racing industry.
But Churchill says the gambling market is now saturated and the gambling expansion legislation approved by state lawmakers contains an unfavorable tax structure. The company also now has a majority stake in Rivers Casino in Des Plaines and is bidding for a new casino in Waukegan.
It also hasn't committed to racing at Arlington beyond 2021.
Racing Board Chairman Jeffrey Brincat said Monday he hasn't yet made up his mind about Arlington's request for racing dates, first wanting to hear from track officials Tuesday. The board also will question Mark Laino, the racing board's former executive director, whom they appointed to act as a liaison between a three-person board committee and Churchill.
"How are we to perceive Arlington's commitment to this market?" said Brincat, of Lake Forest. "We have a press release and a failure to submit a gaming license at this time. There's concerns we want to get allayed."
"The final bellwether is going to be what's good for racing," he said.
2/3 Brincat said he's also invited representatives of the other two tracks in the state -- Hawthorne Race Course in Stickney and Fairmount Park in downstate Collinsville -- whose requests for racing dates are being held up amid the board's grilling of Churchill.
While Arlington has applied for 68 live dates for thoroughbred racing in 2020 and Hawthorne requested 37, it's possible the Southwest suburban track could get more if the board cuts any or all of Arlington's dates.
Under state law, racing dates must be awarded annually within the last 15 days of September.
The meeting will be held in Room 9-040 of the Thompson Center, with live audio of the meeting available on the board's website.
3/3 On last day of Arlington season, a dark cloud over track's future
dailyherald.com/news/20190921/on-last-day-of-arlington-season-a-dark-cloud-over-tracks-future
September 21, 2019
Saturday marked the last day of the 2019 live racing season at Arlington International Racecourse -- and, some believe, perhaps forever. Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer
1/5 Mike Mahon, of Glenview, a regular in the simulcasting lounge at Arlington International Racecourse, said he suspect Saturday might have been the last day for the Arlington Heights track. Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer
Tim Kindlon of Warrenville sits with friends in a skybox Saturday at Arlington International Racecourse. He said it would be "unimaginable" were the track to close. Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer
2/5 Tobias and Valerie Steik of Addison, along with their daughter Isabella, 8, watch the horses come down the track at Arlington International Racecourse on what was the last day of the 2019 season on Saturday. Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer
Christopher Placek Follow @chrisplacek
Updated 9/21/2019 6:16 PM
Dark storm clouds cast a literal and figurative shadow over Arlington International Racecourse Saturday afternoon, on what was the last day of racing for the season, and perhaps beyond.
The future of the storied Arlington Heights racetrack is uncertain after parent company Churchill Downs Inc. announced plans last month not to seek a casino gambling license -- long-sought by the company for the revenues it could funnel to horse racing purses.
And while the Louisville, Kentucky-based corporation has committed to keeping the track open at least through 2021, the Illinois Racing Board has sought a firmer commitment, threatening to withhold racing dates for next season if board members don't hear more details about the company's long-term plans for Arlington.
3/5 Under that backdrop, thousands of racing fans still came to the track Saturday afternoon for a day at the races -- whether it was the last of 2019, or the end of a run that began in 1927.
"People are heartbroken. They're really feeling depressed. This place means a lot to so many people," said Tim Kindlon of Warrenville, who was enjoying his skybox seat with friends in the second-level grandstand. "There's no place like it in the country. It's just unimaginable to us that it won't be here for us in the future."
Kindlon, a regular at Arlington every weekend who's been attending races for three decades, said it would be up to politicians to apply "the right political pressure ... in the right places" if the track has a chance to stay open.
Another longtime Arlington attendee, Mike Mahon, was inside at his regular second-floor spot in front of a wall of TVs showing races from tracks across the country. While still holding a glimmer of hope, Mahon was pessimistic the likelihood of Arlington continuing next year.
"There's nothing I can do about it," said Mahon, of Glenview, author of "May The Turf Be With You," a guide for handicappers. "I'd miss it, but I'd just go to the OTB closer to my house."
Despite recently-approved Illinois gambling legislation that would allow Arlington to add as many as 1,200 slot and table game positions, Mahon believes the market is now saturated with gambling. He said Arlington may have had a better chance to compete the last time the legislature tried to expand gambling, but then-Gov. Pat Quinn vetoed those bills in 2012 and 2013.
What's also changed is that Churchill -- the owner of Arlington since 2000 -- now has a 61% stake in Rivers Casino down the road in Des Plaines. The company also has announced an interest in opening a casino in Waukegan.
"There's just so many gambling dollars," Mahon said. "I can understand Churchill protecting their investment at Rivers. When they took control of Rivers, that was basically the end of (Arlington), I think."
Others who came to Arlington on Saturday weren't aware of the track's precarious future. Some, like Liem and Cindy Ly of Rockford, came dressed to the nines for one of the many special events held in the grandstand suites.
It was their first time at the track -- for a company outing in the Governor's Room -- and they hope to return.
4/5 "It's very exciting," Liem said of their experience at Arlington. "Keep it here so we can come back."
The racing board meets again Tuesday to reconsider Arlington's request for 68 live racing dates in 2020.
5/5 Illinois Racing Board grants Arlington race dates
wgem.com/2019/09/24/illinois-racing-board-grants-arlington-race-dates/
September 24, 2019
CHICAGO (AP) — The Illinois Racing Board has awarded a horse racing license to Arlington International Racecourse owner Churchill Downs Inc.
The board on Tuesday granted the license for 2020 and 68 racing dates to the 91-year-old track in Arlington Heights despite the decision of Churchill Downs not to pursue a newly authorized casino license.
Illinois horse racing interests have viewed casino gambling revenue as a financial lifeline for decimated horse racing purses.
When Louisville, Kentucky-based Churchill Downs announced last month that proposed taxes would make operating a casino would be untenable, it said it would consider moving the racing license elsewhere in Illinois. However, Churchill Downs general counsel Brad Blackwell told board members the company wasn’t threatening to shut down Arlington or move the track after 2021.
Hawthorne Race Course in Stickney and Fairmount Park in Collinsville also received their race dates Tuesday. Both will operate slots and table games.
1/1 Racing will be back at Arlington Park in 2020; status beyond remains uncertain
dailyherald.com/news/20190924/racing-will-be-back-at-arlington-park-in-2020-status-beyond-remains- uncertain September 24, 2019
The Illinois Racing Board voted unanimously Tuesday to award 68 racing dates next year to Arlington International Racecourse, erasing concerns that last week's races may have been the last in the storied track's history. Steve Lundy | Staff Photographer, August 2019
1/5 Arlington International Racecourse President Tony Petrillo, from left, Chairman Emeritus Richard Duchossois, and Churchill Downs Inc. Senior Vice President and General Counsel Brad Blackwell, sit front row at the Illinois Racing Board meeting Tuesday where racing dates were awarded for the 2020 season. Christopher Placek | Staff Photographer
2/5 The Illinois Racing Board questions representatives of Churchill Downs Inc. and Arlington International Racecourse Tuesday during a meeting where the track was awarded 68 live racing dates for the 2020 season. Christopher Placek | Staff Photographer
Christopher Placek Follow @chrisplacek
Updated 9/24/2019 6:48 PM
Horse racing will continue next season at Arlington International Racecourse, after a unanimous decision Tuesday by the Illinois Racing Board that erased concerns that last week's races may have been the last in the storied track's history.
The 9-0 vote to award Arlington 68 live racing dates for the 2020 season comes a week after board members lambasted track owner Churchill Downs Inc. over its decision not to apply for a long-sought casino license that once was hailed as a lifeline for the struggling racing industry.
Board members implied that racing dates for 2020 could be withheld if the company didn't clarify their long-term plans for Arlington.
During Tuesday's hourlong racing board meeting at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago, Churchill officials still didn't commit to applying for casino-style gambling, but they stood by their earlier pledge to continue racing at Arlington through at least 2021.
"We need time to figure this out and we would appreciate your patience as we do so," Brad Blackwell, Churchill's senior vice president and general counsel, told racing board commissioners.
While Blackwell declined to answer some of commissioners' more pointed questions, the board eventually agreed to award race dates to Arlington from April through September, saying they didn't want to disrupt the upcoming racing season.
Still, they sought assurances for the future.
"I encourage you to continue to demonstrate your commitment to Illinois racing," Commissioner Gregory Sronce of Springfield told Churchill officials. "In the absence of engaging in alternative gaming, you're going to need to step it up."
3/5 Louisville, Kentucky-based Churchill Downs last month surprised industry observers by announcing it wouldn't seek a state license for casino table games and slots at the racetrack. Company officials said the suburban gambling market is now saturated and the gambling expansion legislation approved by state lawmakers contains an unfavorable tax structure.
The company also now has a majority stake in Rivers Casino in Des Plaines and is bidding for a new casino in Waukegan.
Blackwell on Tuesday sought to clarify an earlier company news release committing to horse racing at Arlington for two more years, leading many to question the track's fate beyond 2021.
The pledge was meant to "provide peace of mind to our employees and community," Blackwell said. The racing board's process over the last week "jeopardized that peace of mind," he said.
Commissioner Thomas McCauley of River Forest asked Blackwell direct questions about the future of Arlington -- like whether Churchill has had meetings about selling the track -- but Blackwell said he wouldn't publicly reveal specifics about the company's internal discussions.
McCauley, a one-time Arlington lawyer, in the end voted with the rest of the board to award the 2020 racing dates.
"At this point, there would be so much disruption with respect to workers' lives if this schedule materially changed," he said.
In the ultimately successful effort to get the 2020 racing dates, Arlington President Tony Petrillo brought with him a letter from Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes addressed to the board. In it, Hayes wrote that the closure of Arlington would cost the village $1 million in annual revenues and more than 2,000 jobs, and be a "black eye" for the Illinois racing industry.
Beyond the presence of Churchill's top corporate attorney, Petrillo was joined in the front row by most of the track's executive staff and legendary Chairman Emeritus Richard Duchossois, the one-time Arlington owner who is now Churchill's largest shareholder.
After the meeting, Duchossois said he had "100% confidence" in Churchill's upper management while reiterating the company's position that the recently approved gambling expansion isn't good for Arlington's bottom line.
4/5 "I think what Arlington is looking for is a level playing field. We don't have it now, and this bill certainly doesn't give it to us," Duchossois said. "It makes it almost economically impossible to turn a general profit."
But Mike Campbell, president of the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, said even if Churchill implemented some of the 1,200 slots and table game positions the law allows, it would go a long way to boost horse racing purses that continue to decline. Campbell called on the governor and legislative leaders to get involved while saying the board's vote Tuesday puts the industry only on "life support."
"I think they sent a message, but it wasn't loud enough and it wasn't clear enough," Campbell said.
The state regulatory panel on Tuesday also awarded racing dates to Hawthorne Race Course in Stickney, Fairmount Park in downstate Collinsville and a new racino proposed in Tinley Park.
5/5 Arlington Racecourse Granted Race Dates for 2020
nbcchicago.com/news/local/arlington-racecourse-vote-tuesday-561221741.html
The future of the Arlington International Racecourse came down to a vote Tuesday - and the decision was unanimous. NBC 5’s Charlie Wojciechowski reports.
(Published Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019)
The future of the Arlington International Racecourse came down to a vote Tuesday - and the decision was unanimous.
The Illinois Racing Board reconvened at the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago to vote on 68 racing dates for 2020 at the racecourse, part of the northwest suburb since 1927. The group unanimously approved the dates, despite concerns over whether or not racing would continue in 2021.
The track's parent company Churchill Downs had to prove to the board that it plans to continue racing after 2021.
Late last month, Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen said at the time that horse racing at Arlington is guaranteed until 2021, after which the company may move to track to another location in Illinois.
Arlington Racecourse's Future Hinges on Tuesday Vote
1/3 The future of the Arlington International Racecourse comes down to a vote scheduled to take place Tuesday. Sandra Torres reports.
The company added it would not seek a license to add casino gambling at the track. Carstanjen said state law requiring the track to dedicate a portion of casino earnings to racing purses makes placing casino games at the suburban Chicago track untenable.
Arlington Heights Mayor Thomas Hayes said losing the track would be devastating for the community, calling it the Chicago suburb’s largest employer and a major economic boost.
The board and Churchill Downs Inc. did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Tuesday's vote.
Saturday Could Be Last Race Day at Arlington
2/3 Saturday could be the last race day at Arlington International Racecourse, and NBC 5's Lexi Sutter has the details as the park faces potential closure.
(Published Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019) If the board had not voted to approve the schedule, that would mean the previous Saturday's events would have been the last at the Arlington Racecourse.
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3/3 'Time is running out': Suburban students join in global climate strike
dailyherald.com/news/20190920/time-is-running-out-suburban-students-join-in-global-climate-strike
September 20, 2019
A person in a polar bear costume joined a Friday event in Naperville that was part of the coordinated global climate strike rally held ahead of the United Nations' Climate Action Summit. John Starks | Staff Photographer
1/7 People crowd the Oliver Hoffman Pavilion on the Naperville Riverwalk on Friday as part of the coordinated global climate strike rally held ahead of the United Nations' Climate Action Summit. John Starks | Staff Photographer
2/7 John Hersey High School students gather Friday for a climate strike at the school in Arlington Heights. Bev Horne | Staff Photographer
John Hersey High School students host a Friday climate strike at the school in Arlington Heights. Bev Horne | Staff Photographer
3/7 John Hersey High School sophomores Andre Pikodskay, left, and Emily Popa take part in a Friday climate strike at the school in Arlington Heights. Bev Horne | Staff Photographer
4/7 John Hersey High School senior Mary Renner participates in a Friday climate strike at the school in Arlington Heights. "I'm really behind students rallying for change, because we're the ones most affected by climate change," she said. Bev Horne | Staff Photographer
Katlyn Smith Follow @Katlyn_eSmith
Updated 9/20/2019 9:07 PM
Suburban young people joined in rallies from Arlington Heights to Naperville Friday as part of a youth-led movement across the globe calling on world leaders to confront climate change with heightened urgency.
Climate strike protesters used poignant signs and slam poetry to express their fears about a warming planet and their frustration with government inaction.
Mohini Shanker, a senior at Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora, used headlines.
For a demonstration along the Naperville Riverwalk, she covered a homemade poster with dire news reports about the "climate catastrophe," deforestation in the Amazon and rising sea levels caused by global warming.
5/7 "I think that this is the biggest movement of its kind and the fact that it's intergenerational -- it's not just youth, it's not just adults, everyone is coming together," she said, "it means something, and it means that time is running out."
The protest movement spread to 150 countries Friday, growing from a wave of school walkouts inspired by 16-year-old Greta Thunberg, a Swedish activist who called for a coordinated global climate strike ahead of the United Nations' Climate Action Summit on Monday.
Thousands of students skipped class and took to the streets in Chicago. In Arlington Heights, about 50 students walked out of John Hersey High School at 10 a.m. After 10 or 15 minutes, they marched back into school.
"I'm really behind students rallying for change, because we're the ones most affected by climate change," Hersey senior Mary Renner said. "It's going to have the most impact on our politicians when they see that the people most affected by climate change are actually doing something about it and are using their voices for something good."
Progressive groups and environmental activists sponsored the Friday afternoon gathering in Naperville. Samantha Wigfall, another Waubonsie senior, channeled youth empowerment into her sign: "Seas are rising. So are we."
"The younger generation is kind of saying this is really important to us, and we're going to be here for a long time, and we care about what our children have and what we have to inherit," she said.
But the crowd of roughly 100 spanned generations.
"I am striking because I have little children, because I work with children, and I look in their faces every day, and I feel like we are failing them as adults," said Alison Squires, a Sugar Grove mom and the chairwoman of Progressives of Kane County.
Northern Illinois University student Nikki Banigan left her job early in a DeKalb County town to drive to Naperville in her partial zero-emissions vehicle. What should lawmakers do?
"Stop subsidizing fossil fuel and start transitioning toward renewable energy," the 22-year- old said.
With their voting power, other teens said they will remain focused on global warming issues.
"I'm starting to try to be more active in politics and try to understand what's going on around me because I'm going to be voting next year," Waubonsie senior Preethi Navalpakkam said. "And that's a huge step that I have to make sure I'm making the right decisions that will impact me and everyone around me."
6/7 • Daily Herald photographer Bev Horne contributed to this report.
7/7