ALSIP
Cal-Sag Trail groundbreaking
Dozens of people attended a recent groundbreaking ceremony at Freedom Park in Alsip marking the halfway point of the Calumet-Sag Trail, a planned 26-mile stretch of recreational trails from Burnham to Lemont.
The federal government recently awarded a grant that will pay 80 percent of the cost to engineer the 26-mile trail, which will pass through 14 communities, according to Mike Leonard, Palos Heights director of parks and recreation.
Each local government agency involved in the project has signed on to an agreement that calls for a 20 percent match of engineering costs, he said.
Total cost of the trail is projected at $18 million, Leonard said, and construction is scheduled to begin in 2011.
— Barbara Dargis
TINLEY PARK
Funds sought for watershed
Village trustees have formally endorsed a local group’s bid to tap federal stimulus funds to inventory Hickory Creek Watershed resources, as well as develop plans to improve water quality, reduce erosion and restore stream banks.
The recent unanimous action should help the 11-member Hickory Creek Watershed Planning Group obtain a $209,520 Illinois Environmental Protection Agency grant for the project through the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.
The village is a member of the 2-year-old group. At a Public Works and Boundaries Committee meeting before the full Tinley Park Village Board meeting, Public Works Director Dale Schepers told trustees that about one-third of the village’s storm water drains into the Hickory Creek Watershed via the Union Drainage Ditch.
— Dennis Sullivan
CHICAGO HEIGHTS
Police veteran retires as chief
Chicago Heights’ police chief of six years has retired. Anthony Murphy, 58, had worked as an officer in Chicago Heights since 1973 and served in just about every role within the department at one time or another.
During a sometimes emotional ceremony at a recent City Council meeting, aldermen bade Murphy farewell.
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Capt. Michael Camilli was appointed to the department’s top post by Mayor Alex Lopez.
— Patrick Ferrell
JOLIET
Transportation center previewed
The Joliet City Council recently got its first look at concept plans for a transportation center that would be a regional hub for trains, buses, taxis and even bicyclists.
City officials are hoping to secure federal funding to build the transit center, which would be located behind Union Station.
— Alicia Fabbre