Latest news with #ElginCommunityCollege
Chicago Tribune
12-06-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Elgin News Digest: ECC's Project Backpack in need of volunteers, sponsors; lunchtime hike to be held at Hawthorne Hill Nature Center
Elgin Community College is seeking volunteers and sponsors for Project Backpack, which provides backpacks and essential school supplies to students and families in need. This year the giveaway will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, on the ECC campus at 1700 Spartan Drive. Volunteers will help assemble backpacks on July 30-31 and assist during the event, a news release said. Nonprofit and for-profit organizations can set up booths as part of the giveaway, with the latter asked to make a $150 donation to participate. To donate, volunteer or become a sponsor, go to Hawthorne Hill Nature Center in Elgin will host a brown bag lunch hike from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, June 19. Lynette Spencer, a licensed clinical social worker and certified clinical adventure therapist, will talk about how spending time outdoors can boost mental wellbeing in advance of the walk, a social media post for the event said. The cost is $8 for Elgin residents and $11 for nonresidents. Register at Participants should bring their own lunches. The nature center is located at 28 Brookside Drive. Local historian Rebecca Miller will give a brown bag lunch lecture on the stories behind the names of Elgin streets, buildings and schools from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, June 19, at the Elgin History Museum, 360 Park St., Elgin. The presentation will explore how the names seen every day throughout the city reflect Elgin's diverse history, according to the museum's website. Guests should bring their own lunches; the museum will provide beverages and dessert. Admission is free for museum members and $5 for nonmembers. To register, go to For more information, call 847-742-4248. National Recognition Awards were presented to two infrastructure projects in Kane County at the 2025 American Council of Engineering Companies Engineering Excellence Awards in May. The first was in recognition of Carpentersville becoming a lead-free community by securing $4 million in IEPA loan-eligible reimbursement funding to pay for the removal of 400 lead water service lines to homes. Engineering Enterprises Inc. oversaw the work. Also recognized was the Kane County Department of Transportation's $117 million Longmeadow Parkway, the four-lane, 5.6-mile highway that included a 788-foot-long bridge over the Fox River, the release said. Crawford, Murphy & Tilly; Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick; Thomas Engineering; BLA Inc.; Burns & McDonnell; V3; CivilTech; Alfred Benesch; Clark Dietz; Huff & Huff served as engineering firms for the project. Six School District U-46 students earned first-place honors at the Illinois Science Olympiad. Teams from Eastview Middle School in Bartlett, Larsen Middle School in Elgin and Elgin High School competed in April at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and were honored at a June meeting of the U-46 school board, according to a news release. Pratyush Ramesh, who graduated from Elgin High last month, and junior Abhinav Arvind finished first in the anatomy and physiology category. Classmates Aarav Patel and Mahitha Ratakonda, who both graduated last month, finished first in the disease detectives category, which involved epidemiology case studies. Eastview students Jacob Baca and Melia Ortiz-Tan, who will be eighth-graders in the fall, earned first place in the remote sensing trial event.
Chicago Tribune
03-06-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
U-46 plans to cover cost of high school juniors taking the ACT in fall
School District U-46 will pay for high school juniors to take the ACT test in the fall in an effort to familiarize students with the exam, meet dual-credit application requirements and potentially boost scores. The standardized tests will cost $121,862 according to a proposal endorsed Monday by the U-46 school board and to be formally approved June 16. 'This is a new initiative to stay in alignment with the Illinois State Assessment for 11th-graders,' said U-46 Assessment Director Matthew Raimondi, who spoke about the plan prior to the meeting. The state requires all 11th-grade students and any untested 12th-grade students take the ACT with Writing exam as part of the spring state assessment in order to graduate. That test features a 40-minute written essay session, according to the ACT website. 'For many years previously, the SAT was part of the graduation requirement in Illinois,' Raimondi said. 'Now, by offering the ACT to juniors in the fall, it provides students the opportunity to get familiar with the format before the mandatory ACT in the spring.' The district had considered offering the PreACT to juniors in the fall but opted against it because Elgin Community College and other community colleges do not accept its scores for admitting qualifying dual-credit students, he said. PreACT scores also aren't considered for scholarship opportunities, such as those offered by the National Merit Scholarship Corp. 'The actual ACT does count for dual credit, directly aligns to the state test, is college reportable and allows for students to submit a 'Super Score,'' Raimondi said. A Super Score lets students to submit their highest score from each test subject from different test dates when applying to college, he said. According to a memo provided as part of the Monday meeting agenda, 'a student who performs best in English and reading in the fall and in math and science in the spring may submit an ACT superscore combining their top section scores for college admissions.' After taking the ACT test in the fall, based on their performance, students will have access to targeted activities to build their subject skills in preparation for taking the mandatory ACT in the spring, the memorandum said. 'We are excited to offer this new opportunity for our students and help them prepare for the spring test,' Raimondi said prior to the meeting. The district has been providing the PSAT, which aligns with the state test, and offers dual-credit opportunities, both of which can lead to scholarship opportunities through the National Merit program, he said. 'We are planning to continue to offer the PSAT to 10th-graders and 11th-graders in the fall,' Raimondi said. With the state and the federal government requiring high school students to take so many tests, Superintendent Suzanne Johnson said staff would provide school board members with a calendar of when during the 2025-26 school year U-46 will be offering the various assessments.
Chicago Tribune
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Elgin News Digest: ECC bands and ensembles to present spring concerts in May; Hanover Township's annual Kite Festival set for Saturday
ECC bands and ensembles to present spring concerts in May Elgin Community College bands and ensembles will be holding concerts this week and next at the Blizzard Theater in Building H on the 1700 Spartan Drive campus. All performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. and are scheduled to run 90 minutes. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. The schedule is: Wednesday, May 7 — Concert Band under the direction of Greg Matushek. Thursday, May 8 — Steel Bands under the direction of Scott McConnell. Monday, May 12 — Hip Hop Ensemble under the direction of Adam Schlipmann. Tuesday, May 13 — Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Shawn Maxwell, with special guest Snarky Puppy's Grammy Award-winning violinist Zach Brock. Wednesday, May 14 — American Roots Ensemble under the direction of Adam Schlipmann. For tickets and more information, go to Hanover Township's annual Kite Festival set for Saturday Hanover Township's second annual Kite Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 10, at the Carl R. Hanson Woods Forest Preserve, located off Route 59, south of Shoe Factory Road, between Elgin and Hoffman Estates. The free festival will celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and honor the origin of kites, according to a news release. A limited number of free kites will be available for assembly. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own to fly. Also featured will be the Brookfield Zoo Chicago's Animal Ambassador Program, a children's bounce house, and free popcorn and snow cones, the release said. For more information, email info@ or call 630-837-0301. Library holding program on how seniors can avoid injuries An informational program called 'ThinkFirst for Life,' focusing on the ways older drivers can prevent injuries, will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 7, at the St. Charles Public Library. Michelle Larsen, project manager for ThinkFirst, will address areas of concern, provide guidance on protecting oneself and offer advice for staying active and independent for as long as possible, a library news release said. Information on safe driving practices and tips to reduce the risk of crash-related injuries also will be provided. The library is located at 1 S. Sixth Ave. To register, go to or call 630-584-0076. 5K to benefit U-46 program for deaf/hard-of-hearing students A 5K run and walk to benefit School District U-46's program for students who are deaf or hard of hearing will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 10, at the Bartlett Nature Center 2050 W. Stearns Road. The U-46 Deaf/Hard of Hearing Program serves more than 100 students with hearing loss in self-contained classrooms and through traveling resources, according to the district's website. Online registration ends Friday but participants also can sign up in person Saturday morning. The entry fee is $25 for adults, $12 for children ages 3 to 17 and free for those under 3. To register and for more information, go to
Chicago Tribune
09-04-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Elgin News Digest: Two Easter egg hunts planned for Saturday in Elgin; Elgin Community College hosting ‘Experience ECC' event
Two Easter egg hunts planned for Saturday in Elgin Easter egg hunts in Elgin will be held Saturday, April 12, by Hanover Township and St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Both are free, and participants are asked to bring their own baskets or containers. The 'Hoppin' for Hanover' Easter egg hunt starts at 10 a.m. at the Hanover Township Izaak Walton Youth Center, 899 Jay St. One hour later, at 11 a.m., a hunt will be held on the grounds of St. Thomas church, 1625 Highland Ave. Participants in the township event will be divided into groups by age, according to a news release. Ages 2 to 4 will start at 10:30 a.m., followed by 5- to 7-year-olds at 11 a.m. and 8- to 10-year-olds at 11:30 a.m. In addition to the hunts, there will be games, crafts and pictures with the Easter Bunny. No registration is required. The St. Thomas More hunt also is free and open to the public. According to a social media post, participants will be divided into three age groups: infant to age 3, 4 to 7, and 8 and older. A special golden ticket will be put into one egg for one participant in each age group to find and receive a special prize. There also will be a cotton candy station. In the event of bad weather, the hunt will be rescheduled for 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 13. South Elgin village president to hold community chat Monday South Elgin Village President Steve Ward will host a chat with residents from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 14, at the village's Public Safety Center, 50 S. Water St. Ward will be taking questions and discussing village issues, according to a social media post for the event. The village will provide light refreshments. For more information, call 847-742-5780. Elgin Community College hosting 'Experience ECC' event Elgin Community College will host its annual 'Experience ECC' event from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, starting in the Jobe Lounge in Building B on the 1700 Spartan Drive campus. Campus tours will be offered from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. followed by an open house at which those in attendance can learn about more than 130 degree and certificate programs offered by the school, according to the college's website. The five campus tour options are: The Skills in Action: A Career Technology Tour will look at programs offered in truck driving, welding, industrial manufacturing, HVAC and integrated systems technology. The Taste, Talent, and Vision: A Creative College Tour will explore courses offered in photography, culinary arts and hospitality program and includes a visit to the ECC Arts Center. The Pulse on the Future: A Health Professions Tour will give an overview of 18 health care programs, including medical assistance, ophthalmic technology, surgical technology and radiography. The tour features a visit the school's nursing simulation lab. The Unleash Your Curiosity: Discover Math and Science Tour will provide information about educational and career pathways available in those disciplines. Discover Your Campus! A Spanish Tour Experience will provide an overview of ECC in Spanish.
Chicago Tribune
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Hollywood magic comes to the Elgin library via movie costumes worn by the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Bette Davis and Gregory Peck
Film buffs can feast their eyes on attire worn by such legendary actors as Deborah Kerr, Gregory Peck and Faye Dunaway at the Elgin library's new exhibit, 'Glitz-Glamour-Gorgeous: A Tribute to Hollywood Movie Costumes.' 'This is the first time this collection has been exhibited in the Chicago area and probably at any library,' said Natalie Kiburg, spokeswoman for the Gail Borden Public Library. 'We're truly honored to be able to display it here.' The 33 outfits on display include iconic costumes worn by Elizabeth Taylor in 'Cleopatra,' Bette Davis in 'All About Eve' and Maurice Chevalier in 'Gigi.' They are from the personal collection of Greg Schreiner. Schreiner is the producer of and a performer in 'Hollywood Revisited,' a muscial revue that features singers and dancers wearing costumes from famous movies. The show made a stop at Elgin Community College in April 2024. While in town last year, Schreiner met with old friend Carole Medal, who's CEO of the Gail Borden Public Library District. The two have known each other since their undergraduate days in the music program at Millikin University in Decatur. 'Talking with Carole and the wonderful things they do at the library led to putting the exhibit together,' Schreiner said. While Medal's career path took her to the Elgin library, Schreiner ended up on the West Coast, where he completed a master's degree at the University of California-Los Angeles. He became president of a Marilyn Monroe fan club and wound up buying one of her movie dresses, the beginning of his passion for acquiring movie attire. 'I fell in love with owning costumes,' he said. 'Then I woke up one day with more than 500 in my collection.' When he first started buying costumes, they were affordable because no one seemed to care about curating Hollywood's past, Schreiner said. That's no longer true these days, he said. 'In today's market, with my costumes, I'm looking at my retirement account,' he said. His hobby also has also led to a career in which he's traveled around the world with his show and to exhibit his collection. Next year, he will be part of events being put together in London, Paris and Los Angeles to commemorate Marilyn Monroe's 100th birthday, Schreiner said. While nothing worn by Monroe made the trip to Elgin, there are nearly three dozen costumes from old and new Hollywood displayed on both floors of the downtown library. The exhibit features movie clips, background information compiled by library staff and a soon-to-be-added interactive iPad game, Kiburg said. 'Glitz-Glamour-Gorgeous' is being funded in part by a grant from the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission. Schreiner will be in town to present 'A Celebration of Great Movie Music' at 3 p.m. Saturday and 'A Look at Fabulous Fashion in the Movies' at 6:30 p.m. Monday. Both library programs are free, with the former focusing on music from various films and the latter showcasing the stars who wore the costumes on display and designers, like Edith Head, Orry-Kelly and Adrian, who created them. Schreiner will lead a tour through the exhibit as part of the Monday event. The library also will be screening the Bette Davis' classic, 'All About Eve,' at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 7. The gown she wore in the scene in which she says, 'Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night,' is part of the exhibit. 'The allure of iconic Hollywood costumes is the perfect draw, appealing to movie buffs, fashion lovers or anyone who has performed in theater as a child,' Kiburg said. 'This exhibit is connecting our community together in a new way and ultimately, bringing them to the library.' For more information about 'Glitz-Glamour-Gorgeous: A Tribute to Hollywood Movie Costumes,' which runs through May, and to register for related programs, go to Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News. 'GLITZ-GLAMOUR-GORGEOUS: A TRIBUTE TO HOLLYWOOD COSTUMES' These are the 33 costumes on display at Elgin's Gail Borden Public Library, listed by actor's name and the film in which it appeared. In parentheses are noted the costume designer and the year of the movie was made. Bette Davis – 'All About Eve' (Edith Head, 1950) Deborah Kerr – 'An Affair to Remember (Charles LeMaire, 1957) Richard Burton – 'Anne of the Thousand Days' (Margaret Furse, 1969) Kevin Bacon – 'Beauty Shop' (Sharen Davis, 2005) Judy Holliday – 'Bells Are Ringing' (Walter Plunkett, 1960) George Chakiris – 'Brigadoon' (Irene Sharaff, 1954) Julianne Moore – 'Cast a Deadly Spell' (Mary Rose, 1991) Elizabeth Taylor – 'Cleopatra' (Irene Sharaff, 1963) Julie Andrews – 'Darling Lili' (Donald Brooks, 1970) Gregory Peck – 'David and Bathsheba' (Edward Stevenson, 1951) Maurice Chevalier – 'Gigi' (Helen Rose, 1958) Peter Palmer & Leslie Parrish – 'Li'l Abner' (Alvin Colt, 1959) Doris Day – 'Love Me or Leave Me' (Helen Rose, 1955) Kathryn Grayson – 'Lovely to Look At' (Adrian, 1952) Jane Wyman – 'Lucy Gallant' (Edith Head, 1955) David Cassidy – 'Malcolm in the Middle' (TV series) (Bob Mackie, 2003) Sandra Bullock – 'Miss Congeniality' (Susie DeSanto, 2000) Hedy Lamarr – 'My Favorite Spy' (Edith Head, 1951) Sally Field – 'Soapdish' (Nolan Miller, 1991) Lena Horne – 'Stormy Weather' (Helen Rose, 1943) Geraldine Page – 'Sweet Bird of Youth' (Orry-Kelly, 1962) Lana Turner – 'The Big Cube' (William Travilla, 1969) Madeleine Carroll – 'The Fan' (René Hubert, 1949) Stephen Baldwin – 'The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas' (Robert Turturice, 2000) Rhonda Fleming – 'The Great Lover' (Edith Head, 1949) Betty Hutton – 'The Perils of Pauline' (Edith Head, 1947) Jane Russell – 'The Revolt of Mamie Stover' (William Travilla, 1956) Richard Chamberlain – 'The Slipper and the Rose' (Julie Harris, 1976) Ginger Rogers – 'The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle' (Edward Stevenson, 1939) Faye Dunaway – 'The Wicked Lady' (John Bloomfield, 1983) Anne Bancroft – 'To Be or Not To Be' (Albert Wolsky, 1983) Shirley MacLaine – 'What a Way to Go' (Edith Head, 1964) Betty Grable – 'When My Baby Smiles At Me' (René Hubert, 1948)
