Will Emergency Management holding preparedness workshop
The Will County Emergency Management Agency will hold a free workshop on preparing for an emergency at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 22, at the Plainfield Fire District, 23748 W. 135th St., Plainfield.
“When Seconds Matter: Public Preparedness Workshop” is designed to enhance disaster readiness in situations that include severe weather, potential fraud and disasters, a county news release said.
National Weather Service meteorologists Zachary Yack and Mike Bardou will discuss advancements in severe weather forecasting. This year marks the 35th anniversary of a deadly F5 category tornado that struck Plainfield with little warning in 1990, killing 29 people in Plainfield, Joliet and Crest Hill, the release said.
Other sessions include practical strategies for decision-making under pressure, recognizing and preventing disaster-related scams and a first-hand account of emergency response efforts following the July 2024 tornado in Manhattan, the release said.
Registration is required at www.WillCountyEMA.org.
D203 teachers union PAC makes school board endorsements
The Naperville Unit Public Action Committee for Education has endorsed three newcomers in the April 1 election for the Naperville District 203 School Board.
The committee, which supports the mission of teachers union Naperville Unit Education Association, endorsed Holly Joy Blastic, Jillian Langer and Marc Willensky after conducting in-person interviews with all board candidates and reviewing questionnaire responses, a news release said.
Blastic is an attorney and parent of four district students. She cofounded Moms Demand Action Naperville/Western Suburbs, according to the release.
Langer is the mother of two district students and a U.S. Army veteran. She is currently president of the Maplebrook Elementary School Home and School.
Willensky is the parent of District 203 graduate, a former certified public accountant and has 30 years of experience in finance, the release said.
The committee endorsed the candidates they believe “will trust educators as experts, demand transparency and who are committed to working together to effectively plan to achieve equitable and high quality education for the success of all students,” the news release said.
Five candidates are running for four four-year terms.
DuPage offering scholarship for low-income students
The deadline to apply for a Community Services Block Grant scholarship offered by DuPage County is 4:30 p.m. May 2.
Recipients may be use the money, which starts at a minimum of $500, for tuition, books, supplies and other school-related items, a county news release said.
Funded through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the scholarship is for college and occupational training for low-income individuals with high academic potential who live in DuPage County.
Applicants must provide the gross household income for the past 30 days as well as information about members living in the household, the release said. Household income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.
Applicants also must submit a 500-word original essay, official school transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a financial aid award letter and proof of enrollment in an accredited Illinois institution.
Special consideration will be giving to students interested in high-demand fields.
Applications are available at the DuPage County Department of Community Services Office, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, or online at www.dupagecounty.gov/scholarship.
For more information, call 630-407-6500 or 800-942-9412.
