The tournament runs Friday through Sunday and features travel and AAU teams from fourth grade through high school.
Future college stars figure to be on display in the four 17-U “Super Pool” competition at Joy of the Game in Deerfield as teams from Tennessee, Minnesota, Indiana, Florida, Michigan, Wisconsin and New England will be on hand.

Locally, some of the teams competing at the various levels include the Illinois T-Wolves, the Rising Stars, the Illinois Old School, Kessel Heat, the Illinois Heat, Full Package, NLP, LB Elite, the Illiois Magic, Dupage training Academy, the Illinois Mercury Elite, Basketball Paradise, Illinois Flyers, Chicago LockDown, IBA Select, the Windy City Magic, the Fox Valley Storm and the Illinois Celtics.

Games will also be held at the Elgin Centre, College of Lake County, Harper College, the Highland Park Rec Center, Lake Barrington Fieldhouse, Libertyville Sports Complex, Mundelein High School, Ridgewood High School, Trinity College and Wauconda High School.

Unsuspecting inmates at the Lake County Jail were ushered into dayrooms of their housing units today as canine officers and sheriff’s corrections response team members dressed in green jumpsuits and protective vests scoured their cells for contraband.

The media was invited to view the morning’s operation, which involved 14 search dogs in six teams going through 15 housing units containing 638 inmates. Officers looked for drugs, weapons, cellphones or any other banned item, but found none.

Read more at the Chicago Tribune.

Voters living within Harper College’s boundaries will soon see the bulk of the tax dollars they approved in a capital projects referendum more than three years ago go to work.

Since the $153.6 million referendum was approved by voters in November 2008, infrastructure maintenance work has been ongoing, but the larger, more visible projects were put on hold as a new president came in and a master plan was completed.

This spring, some of the projects students and the public are most likely to notice got under way, or are slated to begin in the near future, including reconfiguring entrances to the campus, and the remodel of a building to centralize student services.

Work has already begun for the $5.2 million project that re-works both the Euclid and Roselle road entrances, making them safer, said Tom Crylen, executive director of facilities management. The project also reconfigures parking lots using green materials, he said.

There are safety concerns with the entrances because they require quick turns after driving in off the main road, Crylen said. By re-designing how drivers come into the college, safety will improve, as well as congestion on the roads, he said.

The project, which began last month and is expected to wrap up in the fall, also has a green component because it doubles the number of trees on the north side of campus and creates an environmentally-friendly filter system near the parking lots, Crylen said.

Another highly anticipated project is the $50 million remodel of an existing building that will transform it into a one-stop location for business-related student services, allowing students to pay their tuition, meet with an adviser and perform other such tasks all in one place.

Students now need to go to six different locations throughout the 200-acre campus to do those things, said President Kenneth Ender.

“Frankly, we grew so fast…we just had to put services where we had vacant space. There wasn’t any rhyme or reason,” he said. “From a student’s perspective, the two most precious resources they have are their talent and their time. What we’re trying to do is consolidate all the non-classroom services and support.”

The building will also have a place where students can eat and purchase items, Ender said.

“It will be in the heart of our campus,” he said.

Much of the project will be paid for by state grants, and begins next month with design work, Crylen said, adding he expects the building to open in 2016.

Another project expected to begin this fall is a remodel of Building H, turning it into an Engineering and Technology center to open in 2014. The $38 million cost of the project will also be shared by the state, Crylen said.

The building will house architecture technology, welding, law enforcement, fire science and other technology- or engineering-related fields, Crylen said.

“There is such a big push on manufacturing jobs, and Harper is very interested in creating a place to learn those kinds of trades,” he said, adding the remodel will bring the programs and facility “into the 21st century.”

Other projects slated for the near future include rehabbing Building D and the hospitality program area in Building A.

Ender said referendum projects in the future likely will include improvements at the library and the construction of parking garages.

Browse the best reader-submitted photos of the week in our gallery below. Want to get featured in next week’s gallery? Just post some photos online.

Concert to Benefit DuPage Habitat for Humanity’s First Ever Women Build Initiative

DuPage Habitat for Humanity, a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, will host a concert with the Beatles tribute band American English to support its inaugural Women Build initiative. The concert will take place at 8 p.m., Friday, May 25 at North Central College’s Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville. Doors will open at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $22 in advance online or $25 at the door. For more information, go to http://www.dupagehabitat.org/womenbuild.

Flea Market at Mokena Park District

The Mokena Park District will host an outdoor flea market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 27 at Main Park, 10925 LaPorte Rd. Shoppers can browse crafts, clothing, tools, food and more at the flea market. The market will also take place July 15 and Aug. 18. For more information, call Mokena Park District at 708-390-2401 or go to mokenapark.com for vendor information.

What’s Blooming on Harrison Street Art Festival

The annual arts festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 26 in the Oak Park Arts District on Harrison Street Ridgeland and Austin Avenue. More than 50 artists and vendors will fill Harrison Street, along with live music, food and activities throughout the day. For more information, go to oakparkartsdistrict.com.

‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’

Wheaton Drama’s 2011-2012 season finale is the multiple Tony® and Drama Desk Award nominated musical comedy, “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”. Based on the Michael Caine and Steve Martin movie of the same name, this clever, funny show has book by Jeffrey Lane with music and lyrics by David Yazbek.

Performances of “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” are May 25 through June 17 at Wheaton Drama’s Playhouse 111, 111 N. Hale Street in downtown Wheaton. Shows are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm. Tickets are $18 for Thursdays; $21 for Fridays-Sundays.

6th Annual Baha’i Choral Festival Concerts

More than 200 talented voices from nine nations will sing beautiful sacred music at the 2012 Baha’i Choral Festival with two free public concerts on Sunday May 27th at Wilmette’s renowned Baha’i Temple, Baha’i House of Worship, 100 Linden Avenue, Wilmette. Rich harmonies and uplifting music will fill the 1,200-seat Baha’i House of Worship beginning at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. that Sunday.

Memorial Day Remembered

Visit the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s Kline Creek Farm, an 1890s living-history farm in West Chicago, on Monday, May 28 at 1:30 p.m. to experience the history and tradition of honoring fallen soldiers during “Memorial Day Remembered.”

Memorial Day Salute featuring Tammy McCann

This moving tribute to veterans and servicemen will feature nationally acclaimed jazz singer Tammy McCann, accompanied by a big band, performing classic World War II era songs. Between songs, we’ll recognize fallen Arlington’s Fallen Heroes and the sacrifice they made for their country. This patriotic event is the perfect way to honor all who serve our country. Proceeds from this event will benefit Memorial Park Fund.

The Illinois High School Association state tennis tournament opens at various suburban venues Thursday and in the preseason, it appeared New Trier would be the team to beat.

But senior Jared Hiltzik, who finished second in the state in singles last year and was a preseason favorite to win the crown this season, and his sophomore brother Aron left the Trevians in the middle of the season to concentrate on national training and competition.

That opens the field for teams such as Hinsdale Central (a three-time champion from 2007 through 2009), Deerfield and others to try to deny the Trevians another title.

Deerfield senior Jason Brown picked up the No. 1 singles seed with Hinsdale Central’s Sam Bloom seeded second.

Other TribLocal area athletes who earned top eight singles seeds were Hinsdale Central freshman Martin Joyce, Batavia senior Josh Cogan, Deerfield junior Toby Ma, Stevenson’s Jeremy Bush and New Trier’s Alex Galoustin.

Others from the area seeded in the top 16 are Downers Grove South senior Joey Leto, Glenbrook South sophomore Sam Hoogland, Warren junior Kristiyan Trukov, Lake Forest sophomore Peter Tarwid, Schaumburg freshman Vincent Lin and Niles North junior Dave Bacalla.

In doubles play, Glenbrook South’s Michael Sellitto-Michael Levin earned the top seed followed by Highland Park’s Zacko Brint-Danny Wynbrandt.

Other area teams in the top eight are Hinsdale Central’s Alex Hagermoser-Peter Heneghan, New Trier’s Alex Mang-Arthur Ozga, Downers Grove South’s Cody Freischlag-Connor Harmon, Hinsdale Central’s Chase Hamilton-Michael Lorenzini, St. Charles North’s Danny Oakes-Dom Amalraj and New Trier’s David Laser-Nate Jacobsen.

Other area standouts in the top 16 are Barrington’s George Coll-Varun Parekh, and Stevenson’s Andrew Komarov-Colin Harvey.
Hersey High School will serve as the central point for the tournament but matches will be played at Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Contant, Elk Grove Village, Fremd, Forest View, Harper College, Hoffman Estates, Palatine, Mt. Prospect, Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg and Wheeling.

In May the District 96 Woodlawn Middle School stage was transformed into a palace ballroom for the musical production Getting to Know…Cinderella. This is the 13th and final production for Director Linda Rosen, music teacher, retiring after a distinguished 20-year career. Production staff included Choreographer Charla Silver and Technical/Costume/Props Director Pam Woeckel, FACS teacher.

Saint Mary School Buffalo Grove held their annual fundraising walk-a-thon Friday May 11. It was a perfect day for a walk, sunshine but not too warm. Kindergarten through 8th graders walked from Saint Mary School to Willow Stream Park in Buffalo Grove. Children walked the loops within the park and then participated in fun outdoor activities. Over eighty school parent volunteers helped along the way. The money raised will be used to help fund the many great programs and resources provided by The Saint Mary Family and School Organization. Donations are still being accepted. Saint Mary School is rated a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education. For additional information please contact: publicrelations@stmarybg.org
Excellence in Education since 1885. Serving the communities of Arlington Heights – Buffalo Grove – Hawthorn Woods – Lincolnshire – Long Grove – Mundelein – Vernon Hills – Wheeling.

Email your vintage or present-day prom pics to triblocaltips@tribune.com. You may not remember where you put your keys or what you ate for breakfast, but everyone knows where they were and what they wore for prom.

Whether you want to remember — or perhaps forget — who was your date or how you managed to sit in that puffy dress or stiff suit, send us pics and include your name, your date’s name, town, year of your prom and maybe even your prom horror or love stories.

Related links:

Back Talk: Got plans for prom? (And do your parents know?)

Back Talk: Getting a handle on prom expenses

Planners envision a different kind of roadway to carry motorists north through central Lake County, with minimal impact to the wetland environment that area residents hold dear.

That vision was embodied in a report approved May 18 by the Illinois Route 53/120 Blue Ribbon Advisory Council. Members represent a cross section of public officials, planners, environmentalists, and labor and business leaders.

The full report will be presented to the Illinois Toll Highway Authority at a meeting in June. The toll authority board does not have yet have a timetable beyond the June meeting, officials said.

The report is an incremental step forward for a project that has been talked about for a half-century as a way to relieve congestion in the expanding northwest suburbs. But several issues — most notably finding up to $2.5 billion in funding — have to be resolved before the project becomes a reality.

The report, approved by the 25-member advisory council created by the toll authority, recommends that Route 53 be extended 12.5 miles from Lake Cook Road north through central Lake County, where it would intersect near Grayslake with a new bypass of Illinois Highway 120.

The project would be built as a tollway. Tolls could be “congestion-priced” — that is, the cost would depend on the level of traffic.

But the report calls for funding to come also from local revenue sources, and other means to be determined later. That could include levying tolls on the existing part of Route 53, from Lake-Cook Road south to the Jane Addams Tollway (Interstate 90) and adjusting tolls on the north Tri-State Tollway (Interstate 294).

Concerns over the funding prompted two panel members to vote against the report.

“We enjoyed the dating, but we are not ready to go to the altar yet,” said Howard Learner, executive director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center. “The money issue of who will pay for it, and how much, has been kicked down the road.”

Learner did agree, at the request of David Stolman, council co-chairman and Lake County board chairman, to serve on any future committee dealing with the project’s financing.

As she acknowledged the need for infrastructure improvements in Lake County, Jacky Grimshaw, vice president of policy for the Center for Neighborhood Technology, questioned the recommendation to charge higher tolls during times of high traffic congestion.

“Will people be able to afford to travel on this road?” Grimshaw asked.

Despite the two no votes, Stolman described the process as a “resounding” consensus.

“It is in the Tollway’s hands now,” Stolman said.

Plans call for the extension to be four lanes wide. The maximum speed limit would be 45 mph. Much of it would be built below grade level, with landscaped earthen berms five to seven feet high on either side. Underpasses would run beneath rail lines that cross the corridor.

The proposed highway would run near or through four prime wetlands — Long Grove Surrey Marsh, Heron Creek and Egret Marsh, and Indian Creek Marsh. The report shows elevated roadways in the most sensitive areas.

The T-shaped project calls for improvements to Illinois Route 120, between U.S. Route 12 and Interstate 94, and includes two environmentally sensitive areas — Squaw Creek Complex and Almond Marsh.

The report has two possible alignments for the east-west stretch. Each would take different paths through the Squaw Creek area. One alternative would be an elevated roadway, the other a split roadway on the north side of the wetland.

Environmental concerns weighed heavily during debates leading up to passage of the report. Among the concessions to the environment are a stormwater plan to mimic natural drainage, lighting at interchanges only, and use of alternatives to road salt for snow removal.

Michael Sands, executive director of the Liberty Prairie Foundation and a member of the council, said the report has high standards and includes, “a commitment to land protection and stewardship outside of the right-of-way.”

Although he voted in favor of the report, he said: “I see this as a first step. This is not a point in time where we are signing off on a road and walking away.”

A common concern among council members representing environmental organizations was a framework and process for monitoring the environment impact of the highway after it is built and in use.

Saying she was proud of the “environmental safeguards” contained in the report, Chris Geiselhar, president of Lake County Audubon Society, stressed the need for legislation to put those safeguards in place.

Planners and developers on the council agreed the report contains creative ideas for resolving both transportation and environmental issues in an infrastructure that so much impacts the environment.

“This is probably the most environmental infrastructure program we’ve had in this state or beyond,” said council Co-Chair George Ranney, president and CEO of Metropolis Strategies. “What is needed is more imaginative work by the tollway.”

Council members representing the concerns of business and labor praised the project for identifying ways to resolve environmental concerns. But they also emphasized the need for the roadway to keep the region economically viable.

“We don’t want to forget about the mobility issue,” said John Nelson, representing the American Council of Engineering Companies. “I think it needs to be built. It will be as clean and green as anything the tollway has done.”

Local elected officials on the council also supported the plan and expressed optimism it was financially feasible.

Characterizing the report as a first step to “give the tollway a tool box to work with,” Buffalo Grove Mayor Jeff Braiman said. “There are funds that could be available.”

Despite the council’s mostly positive reception to the report, some Lake County environmentalists said they were still skeptical.

Speaking during a public comment section of the meeting, Evan Craig of the local Sierra Club criticized the proposed corridor as “the same old place.”

Craig said the board should have considered alternate routes and also developed models for predicting environmental impact.

“We continue to develop blindly,” Craig said. “What I see in this committee is more leap before you look.”