Elgin’s Wing Park awarded $600,000 state improvement grant
The city of Elgin and the Streamwood Park District have each received a $600,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant to help support ongoing improvements to two parks, according to state Sen. Cristina Castro, D-Elgin.
“Wing Park and Hoosier Grove Park are staples within our communities,” Castro said in a news release. “This funding will help the parks grow, rebuild and improve the community while bringing in more visitors each year.”
The Open Space Land Acquisition and Development, or OSLAD, program is a cost-sharing initiative between state and local governments that helps communities fund land acquisition and development for parks and outdoor recreation projects, the release said.
Money provided to the local projects was part of more than $55 million in state grants awarded to 100 local park projects throughout Illinois.
South Elgin police complete move into new safety center
The South Elgin Police Department has completed moving into its new space at the Public Safety Center, 50 S. Water St.
The former police lobby in South Elgin Village Hall is now closed, according to the village’s Facebook page. Those needing police assistance should visit the new location.
South Elgin held a ribbon-cutting event and offered public tours Nov. 23 of the $20 million, 30,000-square-foot building. In addition to meeting needs of the police department, South Elgin will use the building for village board and other public meetings.
The police department currently has 35 sworn officers, including the chief, two deputy chiefs and six sergeants. Support staff includes six full- and part-time employees.
Elgin library announces top circulating titles for 2024
The Gail Borden Public Library District has released names of the most popular books and movies borrowed from its collection in 2024. They include:
- Adult fiction: “The Women” by Kristin Hannah;
- Adult nonfiction: “Britney Spears: The Woman in Me”;
- Youth book: “Dog Man: Fetch 22” by Dav Pilkey;
- Top movie: “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”;
- Top family movie: “Sonic the Hedgehog 2.”
To see the full list of top borrowed items, go to gailborden.info/top2024.
Forest preserve district planning first Polar-Palooza winter fest
The Forest Preserve District of Kane County will debut its new Polar-Palooza, a family-friendly winter festival, on Saturday, Jan. 18.
Set for noon to 3 p.m. at Creek Bend Nature Center at 37W700 Dean St. in St. Charles, the free event will include crafts, games and interactive exhibits. Participants can complete indoor and outdoor activities to earn tickets, which can be redeemed for prizes,a news release about said.
No registration is required, officials said. For more information, go to www.kaneforest.com or call 630-444-3190.
