News Briefs: Orchestra program honors Highland Park; Skokie hires new public works leader; Wilmette library gets special gift

An upcoming program from the Music Institute of Chicago’s Academy Orchestra honors those impacted by the Highland Park shooting in 2022.

Composer Stacy Garrop developed “Repair the World” in response to the tragedy and a release from the institute says it “honors the victims and survivors and attempts to bring healing to the community.”

The performance is at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 21 at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., in Evanston.

The Music Institute of Chicago’s Academy is a nationally recognized program for gifted high school pianists and string players that showcases their talents with a series of free concerts. The Academy has two arms: chamber music and orchestra.

Also on the program Feb. 21 are award-winning composer Ari Barack Fisher’s arrangement of the Korean children’s folk song “Springtime in My Hometown”; Mexican composer Manuel Ponce’s most famous work, “Estrellita,” or “My Little Star,” as part of the Music Institute’s One Composer, One Community initiative; and more.

Skokie native given reins to Public Works Department

The Village of Skokie has appointed Patrick Hastings to begin as public works director on Monday, Feb. 23.

According to a news release from the Village, Hastings is a lifelong Skokie resident and the director of public works in Schiller Park. He reportedly brings 18 years of experience in municipal public works to the role.

“I’ve had the privilege of watching this community grow my entire life, and now I’m honored to help shape its future,” Hastings said in the release. “I’m committed to bringing innovative solutions and strategic projects that improve quality of life and position Skokie for long-term success. I look forward to working alongside our dedicated team to serve our wonderful community.”

As director of public works for Schiller Park, Hastings reportedly developed the Village’s first 10-year capital improvement plan, oversaw the village’s lead service line replacement program, and managed a villagewide water meter reading device replacement project.

He began his public-service career with Skokie, working as a maintenance worker from 2006-2017. Hastings, a Niles West graduate, then went on to work for the City of Wood Dale and Village of Libertyville before Schiller Park.

“Patrick’s deep roots in Skokie, combined with his proven leadership both in the field and as an administrator, make him exceptionally well suited for this important role,” Village Manager John Lockerby said in a statement. “His experience managing complex infrastructure projects and long-term planning initiatives will be a tremendous asset as we continue delivering high-quality services now and into the future.”

Gift to Wilmette library celebrates 125-year relationship

Wilmette Public Library recently received a $10,000 gift from the Carnegie Corporation of New York as one of the 1,260 remaining original Carnegie libraries, according to a new release from the library

The gift reportedly commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and “celebrates Carnegie’s lasting influence on libraries and literacy,” the release says.

Near the turn of the 20th century, Carnegie funded more than 1,600 public libraries nationwide, and in 1900, the Village of Wilmette reportedly reached out to Carnegie and secured $10,000 for a local library.

The library opened in Wilmette in 1905. A new Wilmette library was built in 1951.

“While the original building no longer stands, Wilmette Public Library holds fast to the spirit of learning that was so vital to Andrew Carnegie’s original mission,” the library release says, noting that the Wilmette library serves 260,000 patrons each year via more than 600,000 books and 1,000 programs.

“How appropriate that we can take this moment to pause and reflect on the journey of our democracy over the past 250 years,” Wilmette Library Director Anthony Auston said in a statement, “that our own local public library still upholds the principles that everyone is welcome and free to enjoy open, equitable access to an extraordinary array of valuable informational, educational, research and entertainment resources, services, programs, and opportunities.”

The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism.

Become a member of The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community.

Already a member? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.