|
I am constantly amazed by the evolution of our public libraries. Today, our libraries serve as true centers for our communities, providing services and programs that we could not have imagined when we were children getting our very first library cards.
I recently joined Dawn Bussey, executive director of the Glen Ellyn Public Library, and Karen Volk, president of the library's Board of Trustees, to take a tour of the library and learn more about their programs.
We were fascinated by the library's Makerspace, which offers cardholders access to all sorts of interesting and useful equipment, including an embroidery machine, a laser for cutting and engraving, and even a 3-D printer. If you have an idea for something you want to create, you're invited to come in, get help from the staff, and make your idea a reality. There's also a Library of Things, where you can check out a camera, a video player, or a sewing machine. There's even a flight simulator!
I hope you'll take time to visit the library's special exhibit, “World on the Move: 250,000 Years of Human Migration." Glen Ellyn was the only Illinois library selected to present the exhibit, which was created by the American Anthropological Association and the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.
Everyone is invited to a special event celebrating the opening of the exhibit on Saturday, July 27, in the library parking lot, at 400 Duane St. There will be live music, dance performances, and food trucks. The exhibit, which will be up through August 30, is free and open to the public during library hours, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Over the next few weeks, I'm planning to check out other public libraries in our communities. So stay tuned!
| |
|
New bill will enable automatic temporary licenses for advanced practice nurses
Certified nurse practitioners, nurse specialists, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists provide desperately needed care to patients, and we shouldn't let bureaucratic slowdowns keep them from working.
So I'm very pleased that my bill, HB5047, has been signed into law by Governor Pritzker. Under this amendment to the Nurse Practice Act, advanced practice registered nurses will be granted automatic licensure for up to six months while the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation reviews their formal application for licensure.
At a time when more nurses are desperately needed, we need to make it easier for these highly qualified nurses to start working and stay on the job. I believe this law will do just that by streamlining the process for nursing professionals, making our healthcare system work better for all of us.
You can learn more about this legislation here.
| |
If you're a State-licensed professional, remember to renew before Sept. 30
If you're a certified public accountant, a physical therapist, a dental hygienist, or one of the many other types of professionals listed at right, don't forget – your state license expires on Sept. 30.
You can renew your license online here or call the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation at 1-800-560-6420. If you need help, please reach out to my office by emailing reptch42@gmail.com or calling 630-812-9292.
| |
Don't miss the DuPage County Fair, TODAY through SUNDAY in Wheaton
The DuPage County Fair starts today (Thursday), offering four days of carnival rides, live music, 4-H exhibits and other family-friendly activities. (And of course, an assortment of foods on sticks.)
This year's fair will include a highly choreographed drone light show along with the more traditional pie- and watermelon-eating contests and cow-milking demonstrations.
The Fair runs through Sunday, July 28, at the DuPage Events Center and Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road in Wheaton. Admission to the fair is:
- $12 for adults 13 and older
- $8 for seniors 62 and older
- $8 for kids ages six to 12
- $35 for Mega Pass tickets, which include 1 day of unlimited carnival rides
This year, children aged 5 and under will be admitted free.
To buy tickets, you can click here.
| |
Visit the Downers Grove sidewalk sale TODAY through SATURDAY
If you're looking for something to do on a lovely July afternoon, I recommend taking a stroll down to the Sidewalk Sale in Downtown Downers Grove. Today through Saturday, July 27, you can shop while listening to live music performances at the Main Street Train Station.
For more information on the Sidewalk Sale, including a music schedule, click here.
| |
Celebrate summer at York Center Park District's Family Fun Fest TOMORROW
Enjoying the summer and want to squeeze in a little more fun? Mark your calendars for the York Center Park District's Family Fun Fest tomorrow (Friday), from 5 to 9 p.m. at Knolls Park, 1502 S. Meyers Road in Lombard.
There will be music, games, and other amusements, as well as four food trucks. The evening will end with a fireworks display. For more information, you can click here.
| |
Aloha! You can take your family
to a luau in Glen Ellyn SATURDAY
All ages are invited to a poolside party at the Glen Ellyn Park District's Family Luau from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 27, at Sunset Pool, 483 Fairview Ave.
The party will include games of limbo and bingo, as well as water balloon tosses. Pizza will be served. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required for children only.
The fee is $25 for residents and $40 for nonresidents. You can register and learn more here.
| |
Wheaton Municipal Band will celebrate conductor Bruce Moss' 45th anniversary on SATURDAY
For almost half a century, Bruce Moss had served as the conductor of the Wheaton Municipal Band. To celebrate his years of making music, the band will perform an anniversary celebration at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 27, at Edman Chapel, 401 E. Franklin St.
Dr. Moss' musical career began almost as a fluke, when a friend talked him into the 6th grade band class. In 1979, he was in his 20s and working as the band director at York High School in Elmhurst when he got a phone call asking him to "fill in" as the Wheaton Municipal Band's director. (You can read more about Dr. Moss and his career here.)
Some of Dr. Moss' former students will be joining the band for Sunday's celebratory concert, including Lt. Col. Ryan Nowlin, director of the U.S. Marine Corps Band, and John Hagstrom, who plays trumpet in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. For more information about the band, you can click here.
| |
Learn how to garden more sustainably at Conservation@Home SATURDAY
You're invited to tour some of DuPage County's most beautiful – and most sustainable –gardens at the Conservation Foundation’s Sustainable Garden Showcase this Saturday, July 27, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This self-guided tour features 21 gardens in DuPage County, including three in Glen Ellyn. Gardeners and other knowledgeable volunteers will be on hand at each garden to answer questions. The gardens and landscapes will feature a wide variety of native plants, water-smart gardening techniques, valuable wildlife habitats — even edible gardens!
All gardens on the tour are certified in the Conservation@Home program. You can click here to register.
| |
Hear more summer music in Downers Grove TUESDAY
The Downers Grove Summer Concert Series continues this Tuesday, July 30, at 7 p.m. at Fishel Park, 1036 Grove St.
This week's free concert features Nashville Electric Company, a Yorkville-based band known for their down-home country music.
Doors open and food and beverage sales begin at 6 p.m, with music from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Don't forget to bring your lawn chairs or blankets! To learn more, you can click here.
| |
Please support our Community Blood and Food Drive in Glen Ellyn TUESDAY
We hope you'll stop by on Tuesday, July 30, when we host our Blood & Food Drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center, 800 St. Charles Road in Glen Ellyn.
We're holding the drive in partnership with the Glen Ellyn Park District and Kiwanis Club of Central DuPage. There will be a drive-thru to drop off food items, which will be donated to the Glen House Food Pantry.
If you can, please pick up a few extra grocery items this week to donate. Your donation can make a real difference in the life of a family struggling to keep food on the table.
| |
Lisle's Summer Entertainment Series continues WEDNESDAY
You're all invited to join the Lisle Park District for free live music on Wednesday, July 31, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Lisle Community Park, 1800 Short St.
Next week's concert features HIFI Superstar, a Chicago-based band that plays dance and party rock songs, spanning from the '70s through today's hits.
Bring your lawn chairs & blankets. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, with food trucks parked on-site. For more information, you can click here.
|
Does your business help seniors? Lombard is seeking vendors for the Senior Fair
If you are a business owner or an organization that works with seniors, the Village of Lombard invites you to sign up as a vendor at the Senior Fair.
The fair will be held on Wednesday, October 2, at the Lombard Park District’s Madison Meadow Athletic Center (MMAC) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event helps provide local seniors with resources, promotes health awareness through education and screenings, and offers information about available programs and services in the area. The fair also offers hands-on services, such as flu shots, blood pressure readings, hearing tests, and driver's licensing services. Admission is free.
If you're interested, you can apply at villageoflombard.org/seniorfair. For-profit businesses must pay a $100 vendor fee; non-profits and government agencies can participate for free.
For more information about the Senior Fair or vendor participation, please visit here or contact communications@villageoflombard.org.
| |
Please help support Lombard Junior Women's Club School Supply Drive
The Lombard Junior Women's Club will host a School Supplies and Allies Drive on August 3 from 8 a.m. to noon at St. John's Lutheran School, 220 S. Lincoln Ave. in Lombard.
They'll be accepting school supplies and backpacks at the event, and you're invited to write "back-to-school" cards to students while you enjoy some coffee and donuts.
If you're interested in participating in the event, or if you can't attend but want to schedule a drop-off or pick-up, you can email lombardjrs@gmail.com. You can also check out the Club's Amazon Wishlist here.
| |
Upcoming Events
We have lots of events coming up, so please take a look and mark your calendars today!
August 2: Summer Pop-Up Party, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Four Seasons, Finley Road and 16th Street in Lombard
August 3: Glen Ellyn Park District’s Back to School Splash Bash, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Sunset Pool, 483 Fairview Ave.
August 3: Villa Park Back-to-School Resource Fair, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Tri-Town YMCA, 136 S. Cornell Ave, in Villa Park.
August 5: Naperville National Night Out Kick-Off/Movie Night, at 6:30 p.m. at Fry Family YMCA, 2120 95th St.
August 6: National Night Out in Glen Ellyn, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Newton Park, 707 Fairview Ave.
August 6: National Night Out in Lisle, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Lisle Police Station, 5040 Lincoln Ave.
August 6: National Night Out in Wheaton, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Northside Park, 1300 N. West St.
August 7: Movie in the Park, at 7:30 p.m. at Lake Foxcroft Park, 2S540 Lambert Road in Glen Ellyn
August 9: Glen Ellyn Park District's Superhero Swim, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Sunset Pool, 483 Fairview Ave.
August 10-11: Veggie Fest 2024, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Danada South Park, Navistar Circle in Lisle
August 21: DuPage County Veterans Resource Fair, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 21 in the the JTK Administration Building, 421. N. County Farm Road in Wheaton
If you have any questions about pending legislation or other issues related to your state government, please don't hesitate to contact my office at 630-812-9292 or RepTCH42@gmail.com.
Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay strong,
| |
|
Terra Costa Howard
State Representative
42nd District
913 S. Main St.
Lombard, IL 60148
(630) 812-9292
| | | | |
