Seniors age 55 and older in the community are invited to participate in a Bingo Party being held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11 at the senior center in the Community Recreation Center, 505 N. Springinsguth Rd., Schaumburg. The event is being hosted by the village's Committee on Aging. Interested participants are asked to RSVP to Lisa Perrone by calling (847) 490-7026.

Resident Input Needed for Future Direction of District 211

Residents of Township High School District 211 are invited to share their ideas about the future of District 211 schools at upcoming meetings that will be held from February through May. The meetings will include topics such as the state of the district; academic programming; student involvement and wellness; and finances and facilities. Each meeting on the topics will be held twice within the month to offer opportunities for as much feedback as possible. For meeting dates, location and other information, visit the website.

Become a Lifeguard for the Schaumburg Park District

The Schaumburg Park District is seeking applicants for several lifeguard positions available this summer at three outdoor pools. Lifeguards must be at least 16 years old and have a valid Red Cross lifeguard certification or complete a training program offered by the park district in March. For more information, visit the park district's website.

District 54 Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten registration for District 54 for the 2016-17 school year will be held Thursday, Feb. 11. Registration will take place at several times throughout the day. District 54 offers a free full-day kindergarten program at all its elementary schools, although options are available for students to attend a half-day program. For additional registration information, visit their website.

Join the Citizen Police Academy

The public is invited to sign up for the Schaumburg Citizen Police Academy to learn more about how the Schaumburg Police Department operates. The next session begins Wednesday, March 16. Each CPA class will be held Wednesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. for 10 weeks at the police department. Anyone 18 years of age and older who resides or works in Schaumburg is eligible to apply. Register today by visiting the village's website. For additional information, contact Paula Diaz in the police department by calling (847) 348-7274.

Senior Property Tax Information

Township of Schaumburg residents 65 years of age or older have until Wednesday, Feb. 3 to file renewal forms for property tax exemptions. Tax exemptions include the Senior Exemption and Senior Freeze Exemption. Local seniors are encouraged to call the Township of Schaumburg Assessors Office at (847) 884-0030 for help completing the forms.

In addition, senior citizens struggling with property taxes can defer payment of their property taxes until their homes or condominiums are sold. The Senior Citizen Tax Deferral Program allows seniors to defer as much as $5,000 of their property tax bill every year. Applications much be submitted by Tuesday, March 1. More information can be found on the assessor's website.

Speaking of Schaumburg

Speaking of Schaumburg is a monthly program where Mayor Al Larson offers his own unique insight and knowledge of the village and its history through interviews with village staff, officials and prominent residents. Watch the January 2016 Speaking of Schaumburg.

Employment Opportunities:

Visit the village's Employment Section on the website to view and apply for specific positions. For more information, contact the Human Resources Department at (847) 923-3900.

This weekly e-newsletter provides timely information on general news and events from the Village of Schaumburg.

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60th Anniversary Fun Fact

The first village board meetings were held in an old schoolhouse on Schaumburg Road, then owned by Village President Louis Redeker. Beginning in 1963, the Barn, currently home to the Senior Center and Teen Center, functioned as both village hall and police department until the present Municipal Center and Public Safety Building were completed in the 1970s.

Multi-Gallon Blood Donors Honored by Village Board

In honor of National Blood Donor Month, the Village Board honored and recognized individuals in the community who have consistently donated multiple times over the years at the village's community blood drives. These folks have literally donated "gallons" of blood thereby demonstrating a real awareness of the importance of blood donations and a strong, generous sense of giving back to the community and helping others. The following were given plaques by Mayor Al Larson at the Jan. 26 board meeting: John Viezbicke, John Solak and Barbara Solak. The board also took the opportunity to thank the village's Blood Program Committee for its efforts in coordinating the village's blood drives.

First Installment Property Tax Bills Due March 1

The first installment property tax bills for tax year 2015, which is 55 percent of the total property tax bill for the previous year, will be due March 1, 2016. Taxpayers should note that first installment tax bills will not reflect homeowner, senior citizen or other exemptions, nor will they reflect the impact of successful assessment appeals that were filed for tax year 2015. The first installment is just an estimate

based on what was paid last year.

Property owners who do not have mortgage companies paying their taxes can make tax payments in person, by mail, or online at the Cook County Treasurer's website. In-person payments are accepted at the Cook County Treasurer's downtown office at 118 N. Clark Street and at any Chase Bank in the Chicago area. Contact the Township of Schaumburg Assessor's Office at (847) 884-0030, ext. 3023, with any assessment questions or visit their website.

Pink Tie Ball Raises Close to $40,000 for Cancer Research

This week members of the Schaumburg Fire Department presented a check to Alexian Brother's Cancer Foundation with funds that were raised during the 2015 Pink Tie Ball. The total amount raised was approximately $40,000. A check of $20,000 was donated to the cancer foundation, and the remaining funds were donated to the Cancer Research Institute, which specializes in some of the most innovative and progressive cancer research in the field today. The total was the largest amount raised, and the department thanks everyone involved in making the event a success.

The Pink Tie Ball, which is coordinated by the Schaumburg Professional Firefighters Benevolent Association: Local 4092 and the Schaumburg Firefighters Fighting Cancer's Fundraising Committee, is an annual event that is held to raise money to fight cancer. Open to the public, the 5th Annual Pink Tie Ball will be held Saturday, Oct. 15 at the Schaumburg Marriott. Email for more information.

Practice Hoverboard Safety

The village would like to remind the public that hoverboards, which are levitating boards used for personal transportation, are not permitted on village sidewalks and bike paths as indicated in section 71.04 of the Village's Municipal Code.

Public safety officials also caution the public to remain safe while using these devices due to fires and other accidents that have been reported by users. Below are some tips to help reduce the risk of an incident:

Avoid buying the product at a place or on a website that does not have information about who is selling the product and how they can be contacted if there is a problem.
Do not charge a hoverboard overnight or when you are not able to observe the board.
Charge and store in an open dry area away from other items that could catch fire.
Do not charge directly after riding. Let the device cool for an hour before charging.
Hoverboards given as a gift should be left in a partially charged state as purchased until it is ready to be used.
Look for the mark of a certified national testing laboratory. While this does not rule out counterfeits, the absence of such a mark means your safety is likely not a priority for that manufacturer.
Do not ride near vehicular traffic.
Wear safety gear when using a hoverboard, similar to what should be worn if riding a skateboard: a skateboard helmet, knee and elbow pads, and wrist guards that will offer protection from falls.

Ukulele Orchestra Coming to Prairie Center Feb. 28

Tickets are available for The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra, critically acclaimed as "New Zealand's hottest music/comedy ensemble." With a winning combination of charming Kiwi humor, disarmingly small instruments and sublime musicality, expect to hear their take on Hall and Oates, Justin Timberlake and Dolly Parton alongside tunes from the South Pacific and indie music legends like David Kilgour. The orchestra will be performing 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28 at the Prairie Center for the Arts located at 201 Schaumburg Ct. in Schaumburg. Tickets are $38 ($36 for seniors and students) and can be ordered online or by calling (847) 895-3600.

Construction Updates

For a link to all village projects, please visit the website.

I-90 Tollway Updates

The Meacham bridge contractor plans to install the giant steel beams that will carry the new bridge in February. This project is anticipated to include overnight work and will require Meacham Road to be limited to one lane in each direction while the beams are being set. Expect to see beams that are almost 10' tall and 165' long lifted into place by two giant cranes. The schedule has not been finalized but will be provided in this e-newsletter once it is available. Storm sewer installation north of Central on Roselle Road will be taking place all of next week. Be sure to visit the village's website for further information and other updates on this project.

Advertise in this e-Newsletter:

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The village is offering a way for local businesses to connect with the

community by placing ads in this newsletter. For more information, contact Bob Hoyer with Municipal Media Solutions at (312)640-9540.

Calendar of Events

Jan. 28-31: Chicagoland Fishing, Travel & Outdoor Expo

The Chicagoland Fishing, Travel & Outdoor Expo returns to the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel Jan. 28-31. The event is open to the public. For additional information and tickets, visit the website.

Feb. 6: FAFSA Drop-In

Experts will help family members complete their college student aid forms from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 6 at the Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S. Roselle Rd., Schaumburg. No registration is required. For more information, call the library at (847) 985-4000.

Feb. 11: Manufacturer's Summit

A Manufacturer's Summit will be held Thursday, Feb. 11 to offer discussion on being proactive and creative with training, recruitment and marketing for the manufacturing industry. Presentations will take place from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. with networking afterward. The event will be held at Harper College, 1200 W. Algonquin Rd., Palatine. For more information, email or call (847) 413-1010.

Feb. 13: Dirty Dozen Brass Band

Enjoy a performance from the Dirty Dozen Brass Band that will be held 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13 at the Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg. Ct., Schaumburg. For more information and to order tickets, call (847) 895-3600 or visit their website.

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About the Village

of Schaumburg

Schaumburg is the largest center of economic development in the State of Illinois, outside the City of Chicago, but it is also very much a community of neighbors and neighborhoods. Quality of life is important to us and we are constantly working to enhance it. Visit the website.

Disclaimer:

The Village of Schaumburg accepts no liability for the advertisements in this newsletter and does not endorse any product advertised. Any advertisement does not necessarily represent the view or support of the Village of Schaumburg.

If you attend a local festival or village function and the event is photographed, your image may be used for news and promotional purposes.

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