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Calumet-area stakeholders gathered Tuesday for the first of a two-day summit aimed at making connections on environmental issues across the Illinois/Indiana state line. “Connection is one thing, but moving it to the next step is another,” Dr. Mark Bouman, Chicago Region program director at The Field Museum and co-chairman of the Calumet Stewardship Initiative, said. “We want to make this conversation count.” The theme of this year’s Calumet Summit at the Marquette Park Pavilion is Connecting for Action. Leaders from nonprofit groups, industry and local, state and federal governments are among the more than 100 people participating in the event coordinated by the Calumet Stewardship Initiative. Please click here

By Jeff Graveline, Homewood-Flossmoor Patch The plans for a $4 million renovation project for the Flossmoor Metra station are now on hold, as Metra is being forced to send the project back out to bid, following the original bidder’s inability to complete the project. Following the announcement of a planned $4 million renovation project to the Flossmoor Metra station in July of last year, plans were derailed after the original bidder for the project couldn’t follow through on their bid. After ZCORP Services, who was the low bidder for the project, was unable to hold their end of the bargain, Metra is again planning to put the project out to bid. Please click here

Please pass this on to your residents… Household Hazardous Waste and Electronic Disposal Day in Richton Park When: Saturday, June 1, 2013, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Where: Rich South High School (parking lot), 5000 Sauk Trail, Richton Park, IL 60471 The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has selected the Village of Richton Park and SSMMA as cosponsors of a June 1st Spring 2013 Household Hazardous Waste Day. Cooperating and assisting is the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD). The collections give citizens the opportunity to safely dispose of unused or leftover household products commonly found in homes, basements and garages statewide. The materials are handled in an environmentally sound manner, diverting them from local area landfills. “‘Nationally we must be aware of how we impact our environment,” said Richton Park Village President Rick Reinbold. “By taking advantage of the Household Hazardous Waste event and disposing of materials in an environmentally responsible way we are growing practices that are carbon footprint friendly. Richton Park is honored to be the host site for such an important event.” Citizens are encouraged to bring, oil based paints (not latex), thinners, chemical cleaners, unwanted pharmaceuticals, mercury and mercury-containing items, antifreeze, motor oil, gasoline, kerosene, weed killers, insecticides, pesticides, adhesives, hobby chemicals, household batteries and similar products. Fluorescent and other high-intensity discharge lamps may also be brought to the collections. The public is encouraged to find alternative uses for latex paint s Collection is for household hazardous waste only. Contractor, agriculture, business, city, county, municipal, state, commercial, industrial, school or public works wastes cannot be accepted. Electronic items such as old televisions, computers, calculators or other devices will also be accepted. However, propane bottles (empty), fire extinguishers (empty) must be taken to another site at Reliable Fire Equipment, 12848 S. Cicero. Lead acid batteries cannot be accepted at this time at either location. During the collection event, please remain in your vehicle at all times and be prepared to wait 10 to 40 minutes. This is for your safety and traffic efficiency. The IEPA and their contractors will unload all waste from your car to be disposed of. For more information, please contact Richton Park Village Management Analyst Jill Norris at 708-481-8950 ext. 171 or jnorris@richtonpark.org.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources and partners in the Millennium Reserve: Calumet Core region will celebrate National Urban Biodiversity Week on May 13-19 with a variety of conservation activities and outdoors tours in the Calumet Region of Chicago and Cook County. “One of our goals in developing projects and programs through the Millennium Reserve initiative is to highlight the sometimes-hidden biological diversity of the Lake Calumet area – and Urban Biodiversity Week is an ideal time to focus on some of the natural beauty amid the urban landscape,” said IDNR Director Marc Miller. Activities during Urban Biodiversity Week in the Calumet Region include tours of Hegewisch Marsh, an urban wetland that provides habitat to a variety of wildlife including threatened and endangered birds; wildlife watching at Powderhorn Prairie and canoeing on Powderhorn Lake; a bird walk at Sand Ridge Nature Center in South Holland; and, a bi-state bicycle ride around Wolf Lake. Urban Biodiversity Week will culminate with a Nature Block Party from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Eggers Woods Forest Preserve and its neighbor, William W. Powers State Recreation Area at Wolf Lake. The free, family fun event will include a garlic mustard pull, tree hike, bird hike, biking, fishing, archery, and nature-themed games and art projects. The event is co-organized by the IDNR and Forest Preserve District of Cook County, with partner organizations leading individual events. For more information on Urban Biodiversity Week and activities planned for the Millennium Reserve: Calumet Core, check the website at http://www.urbanbioweek.illinois.gov

Jim Garrett wants a field of dreams in the Southland. It would eventually encompass 200 acres; include 25 fields for soccer, lacrosse, field hockey and/or football; 10 baseball and softball diamonds; 10 courts for sand volleyball; eight tennis courts; and five acres to park 1,200 cars. Please click here to read Phil Kadner’s column in the Southtown Star.

South Holland’s new police chief Newly appointed South Holland Police Chief Gregory Baker, center, stands with Village President Don De Graff, left, and Trustee N. Keith Chambers.New South Holland Police Chief Greg Baker said he relishes both the opportunities and the challenges that his new position present. “I am excited about the opportunity to work as police chief in South Holland,” Baker told The Times in an interview Wednesday afternoon. “I have been here as deputy chief for three years, and I have had the opportunity to get to know the outstanding people that work in this department. One of the huge advantages I have is working with the most competent and caring law enforcement group I have been in contact with.” Please click here to read  Bob Moulesong’s article in the Times.

The Emerald Ash Borer, showing damage inside a tree. Mitigating Emerald Ash Borer Impacts on the Urban Forest Competitive, reimbursable grants are available to help local government agencies sustain their urban forests by managing to reduce impacts from the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB.) Recipients must pay for 50% of project costs through direct or in-kind contributions. Communities within the Illinois EAB quarantine zone eligible to apply. There are 3 categories of grants available: 1. Reforestation Grants – For planting to replace ash trees; Technical Assistance Grants – For inventory and assessment of publicly-managed trees and the development of plans to manage EAB; and Wood Utilization Grants – For reclamation and utilization of wood products from felled ash trees. Applications are due February 1, 2013. Application and Grant Guidelines available at: http://www.mayorscaucus.org, or download below. [box type=”info” border=”full”] Download the grant RFP and grant application here.[/box] Two workshops will be offered to assist applicants plan competitive EAB management and reforestation projects. Municipal and state officials will discuss EAB planning and management. Grant application information and tips will be presented. January 17, 10am – Noon: Illinois Department of Agriculture, 2280 Bethany Rd., Suite B, DeKalb, IL 60115 call 815-787-5479 for reservations and parking directions. January 22, 10am –Noon: Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, 233 S. Wacker Dr., Suite 800, (Willis Tower) Chicago, IL 60606

The proposed Landscape Policy is available for review at http://www.illinoistollway.com. Public comments may be provided via email, U.S. mail through Feb. 1, 2013 or in person at the next Strategic Planning Committee meeting (2013 Board and Committee meeting schedule to be announced soon). All comments will be posted on the Tollway’s website. The Illinois Tollway’s proposed Landscape Policy creates guidelines for municipalities and commercial entities along the Tollway system to request trimming or removal of trees on the Tollway’s property to clear obstructions blocking visibility or clearing of undesirable vegetation. To submit your comments by mail: Illinois Tollway 2700 Ogden Avenue Downers Grove, IL 60515 RE: Landscape Policy: Tree Removal and Trimming