Forest Park Briefs
A construction worker who regularly plays the Illinois Lottery may have a few less worries after hitting it big with a $1 million prize on a ticket he purchased in Forest Park.

The Illinois Lottery has announced that Broadview resident Jackie White, 46, picked up a $10 scratch ticket at the Forest Park CTA station on Desplaines Avenue in January and walked out the door a much wealthier man. White was playing the $250 million Millionaire’s Club game, which has a total of 30 $1 million prizes, according to a lottery spokesperson. It was unclear how many of the big purses have been collected since the game’s launch in the summer of 2006.

“I just couldn’t believe it,” White said in a statement released by the lottery. “I almost had a heart attack. I know how to play this game, but when I saw that I had won the million dollars, I just didn’t think it was for real.”

White said he and his wife plan to invest the winnings and that he will continue working.

District 91 on border jumpers

Of a student body with slightly fewer than 1,000 students, District 91 administrators have taken extra steps to verify the home address of 26 families during the school year thus far. That figure was provided to school board members earlier this month in response to school board President Glenn Garlisch’s request for an update on residency investigations.

According to Superintendent Lou Cavallo, 11 students were cleared as being legal residents of Forest Park. Fifteen have been excluded from attending the village’s public school system. There are two cases still pending.

At the start of the school year District 91 hired an outside agency to investigate whether suspected students were living outside of the district.

Police warn of scammers

News of the Economic Stimulus Act, signed by President George Bush on Feb. 13, presents yet another opportunity for scam artists and local police are urging people to exercise caution when providing sensitive information. With tens of millions of U.S. citizens expected to receive tax rebates as part of the federal act, con artists claiming to be representatives from the federal government are soliciting personal information such as bank account numbers in an effort to bilk the public, police said. Specifically, the scammer will call or e-mail and tell their target that the rebate must be entered directly into their bank account.

Local authorities have not received any complaints from village residents who may have been targeted, but said vigilance is important in deterring such crimes.

Disabilities group hosts event

The West Suburban Special Recreation Association, which specializes in providing activities for disabled children, will host a family skating event March 2 in Franklin Park. The event is open to families with children of all ages beginning at 1 p.m. at the Franklin Park Ice Arena, 9711 Waveland Ave.

The fee is $12 per family and $2 per person, and includes a pizza lunch when skating ends at 2:30 p.m. Wheelchairs will be allowed on the ice and skate rentals are available. For additional information or to register, call (847) 455-2100.

Safety tips for older drivers

A refresher course for drivers age 50 and older will be held early next month at the Howard Mohr Community Center in cooperation with the AARP, a national organization devoted to seniors.

On March 6 and 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., motorists will have an opportunity to tune up their driving skills and learn how age can affect their ability to handle a car. Also, information on insurance discounts will be provided.

The eight-hour course will be taught over two days and costs $10 per person. Registration for this event is required. For additional information, or to register, contact the Community Center at (708) 771-7737.

Kingsley’s ‘Fish and Fetish’

In recognition of Women’s History Month, the River Forest Public Library will host a presentation on the life of Mary Kingsley, who set sail for Equatorial African in 1893. The title of the lecture, “Fish and Fetish,” was inspired by Kingsley’s primary objectives of returning with specimens of fish for the British Museum and collecting information on African religions, according to a statement from the library.

Betsey Means will deliver the presentation on March 3 at 2 p.m., playing the role of the former explorer. The River Forest Public Library is located at 735 Lathrop Ave. Refreshments will be served. For additional information cal (708) 366-5205.