ECC SEEKING PROJECT BACKPACK SPONSORS, DONORS
Elgin Community College is seeking sponsors and donations for Project Backpack, the annual school supply giveaway fair being held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Building J Events Center.
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Project Backpack provides school supplies to those in need who will be attending Elgin Community College and school districts U-46, D300, D301, D303 or D20 in the fall semester, a news release said. Students who live in those districts can also participate.
During last year’s event, 1,275 backpacks were distributed to 572 families and $7,720 was raised. Since 2010, more than 26,000 students have benefited from the initiative.
Monetary donations allow ECC to purchase backpacks and supplies in bulk. A $5 donation is enough to provide one backpack filled with essential school supplies, the releases. Sponsors may also contribute goods or services.
To become a sponsor, email Joel Yumba at [email protected] or call 847-214-7604. To sign up as a donor, volunteer or agency partner, go to project-backpack.elgin.edu. For more information, email Gema Atta at [email protected].
SOUTH ELGIN ANNOUNCES SUMMER CONCERT LINEUP
South Elgin has released the dates for 15 outdoor evening concerts and six lunchtime concerts to be held in Panton Mill Park, 10 N. Water St.
Wednesday evening performances run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and begin May 27 with Sixes & Sevens, a band that covers rock and country songs. The season ends with a Sept. 9 show by Semple Band, a pop rock act.
The Thursday concerts are presented from noon to 1:30 p.m., with the first featuring soul band Karla and the Phat Cats on May 28. The season ends Sept. 10 with surf rockers Rick Lindy and the Wild Ones.
Go to southelgin.com/residents/special_events/summer_concert_series.php for the concert lineup and more information.
WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY OPEN FOR PUBLIC TOURS
Washington Elementary School in Elgin, which is to close after the current school year, will be open for public tours from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 16, according to a social media post.
Located at 819 W. Chicago St., the school was built in 1891 and noted for having modern features uncommon at the time, including steam heat, indoor plumbing, fireplaces in every classroom and dedicated cloakrooms, according to the Historic Elgin website.
School District U-46 plans to close Washington and Lowrie Elementary in Elgin and Hanover Countryside Elementary in Streamwood as it realigns its boundaries, builds new schools and renovates others.
Parking will be available in the rear lot by Door 4. For more information, call Christen Sundquist at 847-931-6004 or go to historicelgin.com/coming-events/2026/5/16/washington-school-historic-school-tour.
ROUTE 20 ROAD CONSTRUCTION WORK STARTS MAY 18
Construction work on the intersection at the Route 20 and Shales Parkway/Bluff City Boulevard in Elgin is to begin Monday, May 18.
Intermittent daytime lane closures will be required for the project, which consists of replacing the concrete median, installing of curb and gutters as well as milling and resurfacing from the intersection to about 800 feet west, according to an Illinois Department of Transportation news release.
The work is expected to be completed in July.
For more information, go to idot.illinois.gov/about-idot/stay-connected/news-releases.html. To find traffic and road conditions, go to gettingaroundillinois.com
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