News Briefs: Fund opens for property-tax relief; New traveling history exhibit; Fundraising fashion show this Thursday

Cook County will provide relief to a number of local property owners who are seeing significant increases to their property taxes.

The county’s Homeowner Relief Fund will distribute $1,000 payments — from a $15 million pool — to eligible homeowners who meet the following criteria:

• A property tax bill increase of 50% or more in tax years 2021, 2022 or 2023 (including going from zero to nonzero tax bills).

• Household income at or below 100% of the Cook County area median income

Applications are open now through 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10.

For more information, visit the county’s webpage about the Cook County Homeowner Relief Fund

‘Surprising’ exhibit coming to Winnetka

The Winnetka Historical Society has a new traveling exhibit.

According to the society, “Surprising Stories of the North Shore” explores “lesser-known people, places and events in the area’s history.”

The exhibit will be displayed from Oct. 31-Dec. 28 at the North Shore Senior Center, 161 Northfield Road in Northfield. And visiting hours are available on the center’s website.

“We’re delighted to partner with the Winnetka Historical Society to share these fascinating stories with our community,” North Shore Senior Center Executive Director Tish Rudnicki said. “Together, we celebrate the rich history that shapes the place we call home.”

The exhibit will also travel in 2026 to the Winnetka-Northfield Public Library, Community House Winnetka and Winnetka Village Hall.

Fundraising fashion show this Thursday

A fall fashion show on Thursday evening in Highland Park will raise fundings for the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation.

Upside Events, a sister company of ENAZ boutique, is hosting Fall+Fashion+Fundraising on the second floor of 440 Central Ave., the address of ENAZ in downtown Highland Park.

All of the event’s ticket sales and 15% of the night’s purchases will go to the foundation, which supports a cause close to the hearts of ENAZ co-owners and sisters Melinda Kaplan, a cancer survivor; Lena Blitstein; and Samantha Shapiro.

“We’re always looking for opportunities to support charities near and dear to our hearts and have always been huge supporters of Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation,” said Shapiro in a press release. “It was in October of 2023, when breast cancer hit really close to home when our sister Melinda Kaplan was diagnosed. We’ve always donated to the cause and have flown the Lynn Sage flags loud and proud in front of our stores, and we’re happy to continue to raise awareness for this cause.”

The runway fashion show will include looks by ENAZ and makeup by Josie Volpentesta, of Salon Vole.

Guests can also sip, snack and shop after the show from 7-9 p.m.

Gift bags are included with every ticket purchase, which are available online.

“I can’t stress how important it is to get mammograms and ultrasounds for early detection that can be life-saving,” says Melinda Kaplan, who was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer in 2023. “This event is not only to raise awareness and funding for Lynn Sage, because breast cancer affects one in eight women. We all know someone touched by breast cancer.”

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