IDOT seeking public input on U.S. 20/Shales Parkway plan
Public comments are being sought on plans for preliminary engineering and environmental studies to be done on improvements to U.S. 20 at Shales Parkway in Elgin at www.US20atShalesStudy.org.
The project is one of the state’s Rebuild Illinois efforts and is expected to cost an estimated $45 million, the Illinois Department of Transportation said.
Improvements planned will address safety concerns at the intersection, including congestion and frequent crashes, a news release said. An IDOT study in 2019 showed more than 41,000 cars per day cross through the intersection on Route 20 and more than 19,000 cars per day use Shales Parkway to cross Route 20.
The website includes a video in English and Spanish with an overview of the studies done and what is tentatively planned once the preliminary work is completed.
Comments and questions be accepted online from Sept. 29 to Oct. 20 and will be included in the public record. They can also be submitted via email to info@US20atShalesStudy.org or mailed to Illinois Department of Transportation, Attn: Lori Brown, Bureau of Programming, 201 West Center Court, Schaumburg, IL 60196.
Side Street seeking donations to fund its free art programs
Side Street Studio Arts in downtown Elgin is raising money to cover costs associated with its free arts education program.
The nonprofit located at 15 Ziegler Court is run by artists and provides art space as well as educational and creative resources for the community.
Starting the first week of October, Side Street Studio Arts is offering after-school art classes for children in elementary, middle and high school, including a printmaking class for teens.
It also plans to hold a drop-in teen art hang from 5 to 7 p.m. on the first Sunday during which dinner and art supplies will be provided.
Donations made to the organization will pay for staffing, supplies, space costs and snacks for these programs and can be made at www.sidestreetstudioarts.org/donate. For more information, email info@sidestreetstudioarts.org or call 847-429-2276.
Applications being accepted for township holiday programs
Hanover Township residents who are facing financial hardship can apply now to participate in the township’s annual December holiday sponsor-a-family and toy drive programs.
Applicants must provide a valid ID, a utility bill dated within the last 30 days, birth certificates for all children between the ages of infant and 15 or a medical card showing a child’s name and birth date, and proof of income for the last 30 days prior to the date of the application.
Forms are available in English and Spanish at www.hanover-township.org and must be turned in by Dec. 15. Once a form is received, township staff will contact the resident for more information.
In 2020, the program provided gifts to more than 1,820 children from 695 families.
People who want to sponsor a family during the holiday season should call 630-540-9085 or email holidays@hanover-township.org. Donations of new, unwrapped toys can also be dropped off at any Hanover Township office.
Volunteers needed for annual Scarecrow Fest in St. Charles
Volunteers are being sought to work at the Scarecrow Festival in St. Charles set for Oct. 8-10.
The 36th annual Scarecrow Festival will feature hand-made scarecrows displayed throughout downtown St. Charles, a family zone in Lincoln Park with live entertainment, a photo op area and more. Also included is the Autumn on the Fox Arts and Crafts Show at Pottawatomie Park in St. Charles, organizers said.
Volunteers will be needed to help work the two information booths, one in Lincoln Park and the other at the municipal building. The volunteer signup page is at www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d49acaa2ba3fdcf8-scarecrow1 with two- and three-hour slots available throughout the weekend.
There will also be a need for volunteers to assist with the clean-up at the festival from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 10.
The deadline to apply is Friday, Oct. 1.
For more information, send an email to Hayley Kahle at hkahle@stcalliance.org.
Free shredding event to be held Oct. 9 in Bartlett
Hanover Township will hold a community shred event from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, at the William Tiknis Campus, 250 S. Route 59, Bartlett.
Only paper materials will be accepted. Small paper clips and staples do not need to be removed from documents.
Donations of nonperishable food and personal care items will be accepted at the event for the Hanover Township Food Pantry.
Elgin-based KCT Credit Union is co-sponsoring the event. For more information, call 630-837-0301 or email info@hanover-township.org.
