Niles briefs

Morton Grove - Niles Water Commission receives the 2019 Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award

The Morton Grove - Niles Water Commission received the 2019 Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award for a project ranging from $35M to $100M from the Illinois Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers. This prestigious honor  is awarded annually to an engineering Project which best exemplifies new or innovative application of technology, resourcefulness in solving complex problems, and environmental, social, and economic sustainability.

The Morton Grove- Niles Water Commission (“MGNWC”) was established in 2017 to provide Morton Grove and Niles with a long-term supply of top-quality Lake Michigan water at better and more stable prices than the rate charged by the City of Chicago. The MGNWC selected Evanston as its supplier because of the city’s 100 plus year track record of supplying safe high-quality Lake Michigan water to residents of Evanston, Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Des Plaines, Palatine, Skokie, and Wheeling. The MGNWC negotiated a 50-year agreement with Evanston at an initial rate approximately 75% less than Chicago’s. Future rate increases were stabilized at approximately 2% a year. The MGNWC then  designed and built new water-mains, pump stations and a water standpipe to deliver the water to both communities. Outdated infrastructure was replaced or rebuilt , including over 9.5 miles of new water mains,  and over 10 miles of resurfaced streets in, Morton Grove, Niles and Skokie. The Project‘s $100 million cost were financed through low-interest loans from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and long-term bonds with a net interest rate of 2.8% payable over 30 years. General Village revenues will NOT be used to pay this debt. The loans will be paid by water customers as part of the water rate which is less than the Chicago rate.

September Chamber Luncheon Benefits Park Ridge Community Fund

More than 80 supporters and agencies joined the Park Ridge Chamber as we hosted a luncheon to benefit the Park Ridge Community Fund on September 11. A three course dining experience, abundance of raffle prizes, and lovely ambiance of the Park Ridge Country Club all made for an unforgettable afternoon as each agency supported by the PRCF provided attendees with a few words of gratitude.

Thank you to all who joined us in supporting this wonderful cause!

2019 Class of Youth Outdoor Ambassadors Are “the Next Generation of Advocates”

Nearly 25 Cook County youth spent the summer learning how different career paths converge with nature and protecting the environment while shadowing Forest Preserves of Cook County employees during the 12-week paid summer internship program Youth Outdoor Ambassadors (YOA). 

The program, launched in 2014, introduces a diverse group of youth ages 16 through 21 to all the Forest Preserves offers while employing the interns in various FPCC departments, including law enforcement, programming and outreach, and permits. YOAs receive hands-on experience planning events, performing restoration work, and receiving mentorship from Forest Preserves staff. 

“The Youth Outdoor Ambassador program teaches young people to be the next generation of advocates and stewards for the Forest Preserves. By working in the Preserves, youth come to understand the importance of preserving and protecting our natural resources and the impact it has on their lives and future generations,” explains Credell Walls, FPCC community engagement analyst. 

According to the YOA class of 2019, some of the challenges interns faced included learning how to interact with peers and effectively communicate within different group dynamics; public speaking; time management; and overcoming fears of working with animals, spending extended time outdoors, and heights. 

Forest Preserve staff learn through the program, too: YOAs provide feedback on how to connect to teens. Lessons learned are showcased in a capstone Presentation of Learning demonstration, and each intern submits a written narrative about their experiences. The Forest Preserves uses the information presented by YOAs to help make decisions on recruiting more youth to interact with the Forest Preserves, plan new programs to engage more families and more.