U-46 Foundation’s Walk for Autism set for April 26
School District U-46 Educational Foundation fifth annual 5K Walk for Autism Acceptance will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 26, at Centennial Elementary School at 234 E. Stearns Road in Bartlett.
The event will raise money to support U-46 students, teachers and families affected by autism, according to a social media post for the event. T-shirts will available to sold at the event.
For information on participating or donating to the effort, email erinbryant@u-46.org, brendamorones@u-46.org, danahealy@u-46.org or nicolebryan@u-46.org.
Former East Dundee deputy chief named Chief of the Year
Evanston Police Chief Schenita Stewart, formerly deputy chief of the East Dundee Police Department, has been named the 2025 Police Chief of the Year by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police.
Stewart “has transformed her department with visionary leadership, strengthening collaboration, trust and excellence among officers,” according to a social media announcement posted by the association. “Her commitment to officer well-being, transparency and community engagement has set a new standard in policing.”
Stewart, an Evanston native, started her law enforcement career as a police officer in 1999 with the Lincolnwood Police Department. She was appointed deputy chief in East Dundee in January 2021 and named Evanston’s chief in October 2022.
She is the first woman to be Evanston’s police chief and the first woman to be named the Association’s Police Chief of the Year.
Entries being accepted for annual Elgin Short Film Festival
The Elgin Short Film Festival is seeking entries to present for its Sept. 20 event being held at The Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin.
Films must be 20 minutes or less, including credits, in two categories, live action and animation, according to a news release.
Each category will have up to five finalists, with the top two, as voted on by the selection committee, making the finals. The three films chosen after that in each category will have a chance to compete for a spot in the finals being held Sept. 4-5.
The entry fee is $40 for films submitted by Friday, Aug. 1, and $50 for films that arrive by the entry deadline of Aug. 22.
Entry applications and instructions can be found at filmfreeway.com/ElginShortFilmFestival. For more information about the film fest, go to hemmens.org/esff, email jenny.sherman@elginil.gov or call 847-931-5903.
