Photo war memorial on display at Elgin’s Civic Center Plaza

“Remembering Our Fallen,” a traveling photographic war memorial, will be on display through Monday at Civic Center Plaza near Elgin City Hall, 150 Dexter Court.

The outdoor memorial features 34 Tribute Towers adorned with military and personal photos of more than 5,000 U.S. service members who lost their lives during the war on terror, from Sept. 11, 2001, through Aug. 30, 2021, a city of Elgin news release said. It includes those who died from wounds sustained in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as those lost to training accidents, domestic or overseas attacks, and suicides linked to post-traumatic stress.

The memorial returns to Elgin following a successful first appearance during last year’s Memorial Day events.

“People had such an emotional response to the memorial last year; we knew we had to bring it back and keep it for longer,” said Amanda Harris, the city’s director of cultural arts and special events. “The combination of the Fourth of July activities and the backdrop of the Civic Center Plaza provided the perfect opportunity to allow for more time and space for visitors to enjoy the exhibit.”

A reference book detailing those depicted in the Tribute Towers will be available during regular business hours at City Hall.

East Dundee OKs golf carts, UTVs for use on village roads

The East Dundee Village Board has adopted a new ordinance that allows the use of golf carts and utility task vehicles, known as UTVs, on designated village roads.

Effective July 1, the ordinance allows licensed drivers 18 and older to operate registered “non-highway vehicles” on village roads with a speed limit of 35 mph or less, officials said.

Vehicles must meet safety requirements, including having lights, seat belts, reflectors, turn signals and a slow-moving vehicle emblem. Users must also carry mandatory insurance and adhere to state and local traffic laws.

The vehicles cannot be used on sidewalks, bike trails or “non-vehicular public property.” They cannot be used on any township, county or state roads, except to make direct crossings.

Currently, crossing non-village roads is only allowed at Route 72 where it intersects with North and South Van Buren Street; King Avenue; and Howard Avenue. There are no approved crossings for Route 62 or Route 68.

Children under 8 must be in an appropriate child restraint system and accompanied by someone over age 21 who is not the driver, officials said. Children under 2 must be in a rear-facing seat unless they weigh more than 40 pounds.

Registered permits are $25 and expire each year on Dec. 31, regardless of when the license was approved.

For more information, go to eastdundee.net/residents/golf_cart_operations.php.

Grant money pays for new oak trees in Elgin’s Lords Park

Lords Park in Elgin has 100 new oak trees thanks to a $50,000 Urban and Community Forestry Grant from The Morton Arboretum. The trees have been planted by three city employees and five volunteers throughout the park, Elgin spokesman Jeff Knox said. They were purchased from Doty Nursery and Wilson Nursery through the Suburban Tree Consortium.

According to a Parks and Recreation Department social media post, the trees replaced aging oaks on the park’s east side and will help restore canopy cover, support biodiversity and ensure the park continues to provide shade, beauty and environmental benefits.

East Dundee holding open house for Haeger Pottery plans

East Dundee will host an open house to discuss Brinshore Development’s revised plans for the former Haeger Pottery site from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Rakow Center, 665 Barrington Ave., Carpentersville.

Residents can review Brinshore’s three proposals for the 7 Maiden Lane property, the challenges posed by the site and the project’s redevelopment timeline, village officials said.

The village purchased the vacant 7-acre property in late 2023 for $600,000. Brinshore’s proposals call for a mix of town homes and apartments.

For more information about the proposals, go to cms9files.revize.com/eastdundeeil/Agendas%20&%20Minutes%20(Village%20Board)/2025/ 6-16-25%20Combined%207%20Maiden%20Presentation_V2.pdf.

Free Marine Corps rock concert at Rookies Rochaus

The Quantico Marine Corps Rock Band will present a free concert in celebration of the 250th year of the U.S. Marine Corps from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Rookies Rochaus, 96 W. Main St., West Dundee.

The band will play a selection of classic rock songs at the all-ages show, according to the Rochaus website. Doors open at 6 p.m., with seating on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, go to rochaus.com/shows-tickets.

St. Charles seeking resident input on sidewalk planning

The city of St. Charles has developed a survey to gather input from residents to help with sidewalk planning in the city’s neighborhoods, officials said.

Feedback will help the city decide where sidewalks are needed, where they may not be wanted and where improvements are necessary, according to a news release.

The survey closes July 11. Comments received will be incorporated with other criteria to help guide the city in future project selection, the release said.

The survey is available at bit.ly/3HBowWI.

— Staff report