Excerpts from this week’s Enterprise

For complete stories, pick up a copy of The Enterprise, available at various retail outlets and our office at the corner of Route 59 and Roberts Road in Plainfield — or become an Enterprise subscriber by clicking “About Us” on our Web site or by calling (815) 436-2431.

Sharing the silver

The first Plainfield-born Olympian returned to her roots last week. Two days after arriving home from the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada, U.S. womens hockey team member Lisa Chesson agreed to be a living “show and tell” item for her nephew, a student at Apple Tree Preschool.

Bridge project poised to begin
After more than two decades, the end could be in sight.
Plainfield Township highway commissioner Sam Reichert said a project to replace the nearly 100-year-old one-lane bridge on Renwick Road with a new structure is set to go out to bid this summer.

Cell phones reinstated
A month after voting to cut more than $20 million from next year’s budget through layoffs and cost reductions, the District 202 board of education voted 5-2 to bring back cell phones for certain employees. The original plan eliminated all district-issued cell phones, for a projected savings of around $20,000.

School registration changed
Starting April 5, all new District 202 students will register for school at the school they will attend rather than the district registration office.

Schools wary of impact fee plan
As part of its efforts to make Plainfield more appealing to commercial developers — and bring in the sales tax revenues that comes with retail projects — village officials last week voted to eliminate its impact fees.

Check emergency supplies
Daylight savings time begins March 14. The Will County Health Department reminds residents that when it’s time to reset their clocks, it’s also time to check their emergency stockpiles.

State budget could hurt schools
School officials are getting their first look at the new state budget proposed by Gov. Pat Quinn.
And the state’s projected $13 billion deficit doesn’t bode well for already cash-strapped schools.

State owes village, too
According to village officials, District 202 isn’t the only local taxing body waiting for its share of state funding.
According to Management Services Director Traci Pleckham, the state is four months behind in its payments to the village, owing a total of more than $924,000.

Irish parade is Sunday
Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, the Village Preservation Association and MainStreet Plainfield will host the annual Hometown Irish Parade in downtown Plainfield.
The parade will step off at 1 p.m. Sunday from Plainfield Central High School, 24120 W. Fort Beggs Drive.

Go green with rain barrels
The Village of Plainfield is accepting orders for discounted purchases of rain barrels and tumbling-style composters now through April 9.

ELL parent workshops set
Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 is hosting a series of educational workshops aimed at informing and educating English Language Learner (ELL) families on how to prepare, support and manage their children through all levels of school.

Ready Set Ride seeks applicants
Ready Set Ride provides therapeutic horse riding opportunities to individuals with disabilities. Spring sessions at Ready Set Ride begin April 11.

Men arrested in car burglary
Two men were arrested for burglarizing a vehicle last week after a Plainfield police officer investigated a suspicious car parked in the 24000 block of Illini Drive in the early morning hours of March 1.

Prevent home, auto break-ins
A new string of vehicle burglaries has prompted Plainfield Police Chief Bill Doster to offer some simple advice for residents: Lock your car. From Feb. 23 to March 1, police fielded 12 reports of car break-ins or attempted burglaries.

Village St. Baldrick’s event
After getting the nod from the Village of Plainfield to close a section of DesPlaines Street for its three-day St. Patrick’s Day celebration, Finnegan’s Irish Pub on Lockport Street now has a bigger venue for staff members’ favorite event.

Supermarket spree
Mayor Mike Collins rushes to fill his cart during his Monday morning shopping spree at Jewel-Osco on Route 59 in Plainfield.

Stand up and be counted
The Village of Plainfield is urging residents to make sure they fill out their 2010 census questionnaires.
The United States Census Bureau is conducting the decennial census and residents should receive their 2010 census questionnaire in March.

Health fair, forum March 18
The Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living will host a free health fair for individuals with disabilities from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, March 18, at the Joliet Renaissance Center, 214 N. Ottawa St.

Business expo March 27
Local business owners will get a chance to connect with community members at this year’s “Healthy Businesses ... Healthy Community” Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce community expo, set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 27, in the fieldhouse at Plainfield Central High School, 24120 W. Fort Beggs Drive.