ELBURN
Police want loitering ordinance bolstered
To combat an increase in vagrancy, the Elburn Police Department is seeking to toughen the village’s loitering ordinance.
Many vagrants board the Metra train in Chicago and ride to the end of the line, said Police Chief Jim Linane. And the economic downturn also has forced many from their homes, prompting them to seek shelter in public places, he said.
“We’ve had to lock the station at night to prevent people from moving into it like a hotel,” he said. The Village Board is expected to vote on the proposed update Aug. 25.
“We’re getting more people [who might pose a public nuisance] — beggars hitting up business owners, people living in their cars and parking in public lots, homeless people camping in village parks,” said Sgt. Ron Brandenburg.
The new ordinance would specifically target loiterers who harass passers-by; block sidewalks, parking lots or building entrances; beg or solicit work; or who are carrying burglary tools or stolen property. It would not prevent people from peacefully spending time in public places and would allow residents to conduct fundraisers.
— Denise Linke
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ST. CHARLES
School district plans podcasts of meetings
In an effort to re-establish open communication with the public, St. Charles School District 303 will soon begin audio Webcasts of its board meetings
Board members Monday voted 5-2 in favor of the move, designating up to $8,300 for a three-month trial of a system that has yet to be chosen.
“The idea is to keep the public as informed as possible about information and the different issues that come before the board,” said board member Scott Nowling.
“Initially, we were talking about videotaping the meetings and having a live Web feed. But one fairly inexpensive way to get the information out there would be to simply podcast the meetings.”
Under the plan, a person could visit the District 303 Web site and click on a link that would begin audio playback of a meeting over the computer.
The two school board members who voted against the plan, Jim Gaffney and Board President Kathy Hewell, said they thought the question of podcasting should be left until after the district hires a new director of information, which is expected in coming months.
District 303 has been holding an ongoing series of community meetings called Summit 303.
The next one, scheduled for Thursday at the movie theater, will be centered on technology.
Meanwhile, repairs are progressing on storm damage to St. Charles North High School.
Supt. Don Schlomann said part of the roof was lifted and a support beam bent on Aug. 4, but workers will have the building ready for the start of school later this month.
— Gary Gibula
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GENEVA
Board addresses beer, wine sales at festivals
Geneva aldermen have agreed to designate five festivals or fairs in the city — Swedish Days, Geneva Arts Fair, Festival of the Vine, Christmas Walk and Concours d’Elegance — and to allow up to five of the city’s liquor license holders to sell beer and wine there.
Aldermen Monday also agreed to grant a wine-and-beer bar liquor license to Gibby’s Wine Den to replace its current wine bar license. Packaged wine and beer can also be sold.
It is the only such license in the city and requires a fee of $3,300 the first year and $2,200 in subsequent years.
— Barbara Kois
