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As we celebrate Women's History Month, I want to share the life stories of some amazing DuPage County women, beginning with Marget Hamilton, Wheaton's first female Councilwoman and Mayor.
Hamilton first became active in politics when she stood up for Asian-American children who were being denied entry into a local public pool during World War II.
In 1955, she founded Wheaton’s Chapter of the League of Women Voters. (You'll find her charming account of that experience here.) She was elected city commissioner in 1959 and became Wheaton’s first female mayor in 1969. During her time in office, she led implementation of Wheaton's non-discriminatory housing ordinance, the first of its kind in Illinois.
Hamilton played a major role in the the transformation of the abandoned Chicago, Aurora and Elgin railroad right-of-way into the Illinois Prairie Path – America's first successful rails-to-trails conversion. She also joined forces with the League of Women Voters in a successful effort to shift Wheaton’s local government to a council-manager form, led by a city manager who reports to the mayor and City Council.
Hamilton went on to serve as Director of College of DuPage’s Older Adult Institute, a post she held for more than 20 years until her retirement at the age of 93.
So the next time you’re driving through Wheaton and come upon Hamilton Court, Drive or Way, I hope you will remember one of DuPage County’s trailblazers. Also, please stop by Wheaton's We Are Women Art Exhibit to see works by local female artists at some of your favorite women-owned or -managed businesses in Downtown Wheaton.
“If you are afraid, you’ll never accomplish anything.”
Marget Hamilton, June 27, 1915 – Nov. 22, 2019
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Looking for summer work? Check out the DuPage Forest Preserve Career Fair SATURDAY
If you enjoy working outdoors, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage may have a job opportunity for you.
You can stop by the District's Seasonal Career Fair this Saturday, March 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Forest Preserve District Headquarters, 3S580 Naperville Road in Wheaton.
At the fair, you can meet with staff from a variety of Forest Preserve District departments, learn about seasonal positions, and even interview for jobs.
If you have questions or want to set up a time for an interview, please call 630-933-7682. For more information on the Career Fair, you can click here.
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Meet costumed characters in Wheaton SATURDAY
Princesses, fairies, and superheroes will roam the streets of Wheaton this Saturday, March 9, when the Downtown Wheaton Association presents Character Trail.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., costumed characters will be on-hand in downtown stores, ready to snap photos, sign autographs and make memories.
For more information and a map of the participating businesses, you can visit the Downtown Wheaton Association’s website.
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Trade your gently used sporting gear to the Sportswap in Glen Ellyn on SUNDAY
As a former soccer mom, I know what it's like to have shinguards in just about every size stacked in the back of a closet.
You can find new homes for your gently used sporting equipment – and swap for new-to-you gear – at the spring SportSwap, from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 10, at Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center, 800 St. Charles Road, co-hosted by Go Green Glen Ellyn and the Glen Ellyn Park District.
If it's more convenient, you can drop off your swaps at the Glen Ellyn Park District from now through Saturday, March 9. They'll give you a voucher for use on Sunday. For more information, you can click here.
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Learn about potholes, sewers, and more at Lombard's Public Works Citizen Academy
It takes a lot of effort, planning (and equipment!) to keep a village running smoothly. If you'd like to learn more about the inner workings of our local infrastructure, I encourage you to sign up for the Lombard Public Works Department's 6th annual Public Works Citizens Academy (PWCA).
The free academy is open to Lombard residents 18 and older and offers hands-on training activities, tours of Village facilities and presentations by Public Works staff. Classes will be held on Monday evenings, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., April 15 through May 6. "Graduation" will be held Thursday, May 16, at the Village Board of Trustees meeting.
The registration deadline is April 8, but class size is limited. So click here to register, or visit the Village website at www.villageoflombard.org/PWCA. If you have questions, please contact Public Works at (630) 620-5740 or publicworks@villageoflombard.org.
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Learn how to build your child's social skills with the Glenbard Parent Series on WEDNESDAY
It's not unusual to feel socially awkward sometimes. But for one of every five children, navigating social encounters can feel consistently overwhelming.
If your child (or you!) struggle to navigate social life, you're invited to a virtual webinar on "The Science of Why We’re Socially Awkward – and Why That’s Awesome" from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, hosted by the Glenbard Parent Series.
Psychologist Ty Tashiro will unpack decades of research from child development, neuroscience, personality, and sociology to help us better understand social anxiety. He also will deliver a welcome counterintuitive message: The characteristics that make people socially clumsy can be harnessed to enable remarkable achievements.
As you may know, GPS is a locally based educational consortium dedicated to presenting distinguished, relevant, high-profile authors, clinicians, and educators who share research-based knowledge and practical wisdom. The group's mission is to enhance the resilience and well-being of all students by helping them build relationships, develop coping strategies, and forge responsible decision-making skills.
You can click here for the link to this webinar.
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Put a library in your pocket with Helen Plum Library's new mobile app
Believe it or not, you can fit a library (including some key staff) in your pocket with the Helen Plum Library's new app. You can use it to search the library's catalog, check due dates, place holds on books you're planning to read, and renew books. The app also stores your library card, so you can use your phone to check out books.
You can find it at the Apple Store here or on Google Play here. You also should check out the Library's many other apps and online resources (including Libby, which allows you to borrow ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more from your local library for free!
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Explore Nature at Night in Downers Grove
You're invited to explore the nighttime forest with the Downers Grove Park District's Nature at Night Hikes, on Saturday, March 16 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the William F Sherman Jr. Interpretive Center in Lyman Woods, 901 31st St.
This hike's theme will be "Dashing Deer", and will include s'mores around the campfire. All ages are invited; children must be accompanied by a registered adult. The fee is $14 per person. You can click here to register.
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Celebrate Ellen Martin and Lombard's brave women voters on March 16
When I need some extra inspiration, I like to think about Ellen Martin, the brave woman lawyer who led a group of women to vote in Lombard in 1891. That was nearly three decades before the 19th Amendment recognized American women's right to vote.
To commemorate those bold and patriotic women, the Lombard Historical Society will present a documentary film, “All Citizens", by local filmmaker Tim Frakes, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, at the Carriage House, 23 W Maple St. The program is free, but registration is required as space is limited. You can click here to register.
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Recycle your outdated electronics (and much, MUCH more) in Lisle on March 16
It's spring cleaning time again. If you have a pile of outdated electronics, broken crayons, and other household goods that you don't want or need, don't just throw them in the garbage!
You can spare our landfills and give a second life to some of those items by bringing them to the annual Sustainable Saturday event, from 9 a.m. to noon on March 16 at Benedictine University's Rice Center parking lot, 5700 College Road in Lisle. This event is co-sponsored by the Village of Lisle, Benedictine University, DuPage County, SCARCE, Lisle Township, and LRS Waste Management Services.
Be prepared for delays, as they're expecting a lot of participants. If they reach capacity before noon, the event may close early. For more information and the long, long list of accepted items, you can click here.
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Donate to 'Rock Your Socks' in March to honor World Down Syndrome Day
In honor of World Down Syndrome Day (March 21), my office is participating in the Rock Your Socks Drive, collecting new, unused socks throughout the month of March.
We're joining forces with the Village of Glen Ellyn, Glen Ellyn Park District, Glen Ellyn Public Library, School District 41, Chitkowski Law Offices, and Faith Lutheran Church to collect socks, which will be given to the People's Resource Center. Last year, the Rock Your Socks drive collected an amazing 2,100 pairs of new socks. We're hoping to surpass that number this year!
I know I'll be rocking my wacky socks once again to show my support for people with Down Syndrome on March 21, and I hope you will, too! To learn more about the symbolism of wearing wacky socks on this day, take a look at the 3-21 Foundation website here.
If you would like to schedule a time to drop off donations, please email reptch42@gmail.com or call us at 630-812-9292.
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If it's March, it must be time for Glen Ellyn's Kiwanis Hanging Basket/Vidalia Onion Sale
The Kiwanis Club of Glen Ellyn is hosting its annual sale of hanging flower baskets and Vidalia onions, to raise money for children in our community.
To order a hanging flower basket, you can click here. Please order by March 10, to make sure you get your first choice. You also can order a bag (or more!) of Vidalia onions, now through April 29, by clicking here.
Additional information and forms for ordering can be found here.
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Considering a career in public service? We're looking for summer interns!
Do you know somebody who has a passion for public service or who is thinking about a career in government?
My office is now accepting applications for summer interns. It's a great opportunity for someone who is interested in spending the summer working to support our communities – and getting paid for it!
Duties will include:
- Constituent casework
- Policy research
- Engaging with constituents through canvassing
- Social media content creation
- Attending events and meetings with Rep. Costa Howard
- Event planning
You'll need excellent writing, communication, and organizational skills, as well as experience with social media and Google Docs. Our interns work from our District Office in Lombard and will be required to attend off-site meetings and events.
If you're interested, you can email your resume to Reptch42@gmail.com.
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Upcoming Events
We have lots of events coming up, so please take a look and mark your calendars today!
Mar. 17: Leapin' Leprechauns Event from 1 to 2 p.m. at Lyman Woods, 901 31st St in Downers Grove
Mar. 19: Women's History Trivia, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Lisle Library District (Meeting Room A/B), 777 Front St.
Mar. 21: Adults-Only Egg Hunt, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Lake Ellyn Boathouse, 645 Lenox Road in Glen Ellyn
Mar. 23: Lombard Park District's Egg Hunt, from 10:40 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Lombard Common, 433 E. St. Charles Road, field east of Paradise Bay Water Park
Mar. 23: Bunny Brunch in Lombard, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Lombard Community Building, 433 E. St. Charles Road
Mar. 26: Glen Ellyn Park District's Grandparents and Me Day Bingo, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Main Street Recreation Center, 501 Hill Ave.
Mar. 28: Flashlight Egg Hunt from 7:45 to 8:15 p.m. (ages 6-8) and 8:45 to 9:15 p.m. (ages 9-11) at Churchill Park, 271 St. Charles Road in Glen Ellyn
Mar. 29: Glen Ellyn Park District's Eggs-traordinary Egg Hunt, from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. or 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. at Maryknoll Park, 845 Pershing Ave.
Mar. 30: Glen Ellyn Park District's Hopper Cottontail and Friends Hoppy Party, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center, 800 St. Charles Road.
Apr. 16-19: Restaurant Week in Lisle, showcasing restaurants throughout the village
May 20: B.R. Ryall YMCA's Annual Meeting and Champions Dinner at 5:30 p.m. at Abbington Distinctive Banquets, 3S002 Route 53 in Glen Ellyn
If you have any questions about pending legislation or other issues related to your state government, please don't hesitate to contact my office at 630-812-9292 or RepTCH42@gmail.com.
Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay strong,
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Terra Costa Howard
State Representative
42nd District
913 S. Main St.
Lombard, IL 60148
(630) 812-9292
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