Debate over heliport safety at new children’s hospital

A hearing is under way about a new safety study for a proposed medical heliport at the new Children’s Memorial Hospital being built in Chicago’s Streeterville community.

Some residents are opposed to the heliport because they believe it is too dangerous.

The group opposing the helipad on the roof of the new Children’s Memorial Hospital insists its objections have more to do with safety than the noise that comes with ferrying in the sickest patients by helicopter.

The move is just three miles, but the transformation is dramatic. One year from now, Children’s Memorial Hospital will leave its cramped quarters in Lincoln Park for a new $915 million home nestled into the Northwestern Memorial Hospital campus downtown.

 

Two Orland Park trustees tag team Metra board

The southwest suburbs will continue to have representation on Metra’s board of directors, with the recent appointment of Orland Park Trustee Brad O’Halloran, who replaces Orland Trustee James Dodge.

O’Halloran, a village trustee for 18 years, begins his four-year term next month. It will actually be O’Halloran’s second time serving on Metra’s board.

He was among a “handful” of candidates considered for the position, said Cook County Commissioner Elizabeth Doody Gorman (R-Orland Park), who was among the commissioners having a say in the appointment.

“Brad had the most extensive resume, with his finance background and prior knowledge of Metra,” she said. “We also wanted to maintain a balanced representation in the Southland.”

 

Motorola offers free, discounted hands-free devices to promote safe driving

https:///www.dailyherald.com/article/20110624/business/706249914/

By Anna Marie Kukec

If you happened to see a crowd at the Lake Forest Oasis off I-94 on Wednesday, it wasn’t a run for coffee. Instead, a crowd gathered to get free Roadster wireless devices for their cars from Motorola Mobility.

The Libertyville-based mobile phone maker has been offering free and half-price Roadsters, a Bluetooth, voice-enabled device for your car that retails for about $100. The company has been staging events statewide during June, which has been named National Safe Driving Month to encourage people to drive safely and avoid texting or otherwise using mobile devices while behind the wheel.

 

State releases $600,000 in road money for Naperville

It’s hard not to smile when $600,000 is coming your way.

That’s the case for Naperville officials, after Gov. Pat Quinn announced Thursday the release of $100 million in state money to cities, counties and townships in Illinois.

The money is earmarked for transportation projects. It’s the second of five annual installments that were promised as part of the state’s massive capital construction program.

 

Cubs’ Barney honored to take part in ‘It Gets Better’ project

https:///www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-0624-bits-cubs-chicago—20110623,0,4080273.story

Rookie infielder says campaign hits home because of gay relatives

By Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune reporter

4:23 p.m. CDT, June 23, 2011

Rookie infielder Darwin Barney was honored to be asked to participate in the Cubs’ “It Gets Better” project, a video campaign aimed at gay teens who have been victims of discrimination.

“It’s something we’ve all gone through in different ways,” Barney said. “It doesn’t matter who you are — someone is going to discriminate against you in some way. Especially when you’re young and you’re growing up and going through high school.