847 Brightside
Good news from the 847
Something neighbors share — food drives, senior clinics, volunteer cleanups, pet reunions, free concerts, and the little township tips that make living here easier. Each item links to the official page.
Updated October 25, 2026 · About the last two weeks
We keep the hard stuff elsewhere — this page stays on the good news.
Arlington Heights · Mon, Oct 19 – Fri, Dec 18
Fall leaf 2-for-1 comes to Arlington Heights
From October 19 through December 18, one landscape-waste sticker covers two bags at the curb on your regular pickup day. The village page lists where to buy stickers.
Village of Arlington Heights
Lake Zurich · Sun, Oct 11 – Fri, Dec 4
Lake Zurich leaf vacuums are rolling
Village crews vacuum leaves from the week of October 11 into the first week of December. Rake leaves only — no grass clippings — to within five feet of the curb, not into the street; the last rake-out date is Monday, November 30.
Village of Lake Zurich
Palatine · Sun, Nov 1 – Mon, Nov 30
Library book drive stocks the Friends of the Library
Through November, Palatine Public Library locations collect books in good condition for the Friends of the Library.
Palatine Public Library
Elk Grove Village · Mon, Sep 28 – Wed, Nov 25
Curbside leaf pickup is back in Elk Grove Village
Rake leaves into the street the evening before your section’s day and village crews sweep them up, weekly through November 25. The village page has the section map and each area’s nine pickup dates.
Elk Grove Village
Palatine · Mon, Oct 26 – Fri, Nov 20
Curbside leaf pickup starts October 26 in Palatine
Every single-family home gets three collections between the weeks of October 26 and November 16. Rake leaves into the street by 7 a.m. on your scheduled Monday, no earlier than 4 p.m. the day before; the village’s Community Portal and map show your weeks.
Village of Palatine
Hoffman Estates · Fri, Oct 23 – Mon, Nov 16
Cram the Cruiser fills Thanksgiving baskets in Hoffman Estates
Drop boxes at the police department, all four fire stations, and Village Hall take stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, pie crust, canned pumpkin, and roasting pans through November 16. The drive-thru drop-off is Friday, November 13, 5:30–8:30 p.m., at the police department, 411 W. Higgins Road; donations become Thanksgiving baskets for local families.
Village of Hoffman Estates
Des Plaines · Wed, Nov 11 · 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
American Legion Veterans Day ceremony at Prairie Lakes
Des Plaines marks Veterans Day with the American Legion’s ceremony at Prairie Lakes Theater, 515 E. Thacker St.
Des Plaines Park District
Des Plaines · Sat, Nov 7 · 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Des Plaines turns jack-o’-lanterns into compost
Toss pumpkins, jack-o’-lanterns, and gourds — painted is fine, decorations off — into the dumpster in the north lot of Prairie Lakes Community Center, 515 E. Thacker St. Candy wrappers are collected for recycling too, at the event and in the City Hall lobby all November.
Des Plaines Park District
Hoffman Estates · Sat, Nov 7 · 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Snowplow rides and a pumpkin smash at Hoffman Estates Public Works
The free open house at 2305 Pembroke Ave. brings snowplow rides, live demonstrations, and a touch-a-truck lineup of dump trucks, loaders, and excavators. Bring old pumpkins, candles removed, for composting; Public Works also takes pumpkin drop-offs from November 2.
Village of Hoffman Estates
Barrington · Fri, Nov 6 · 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Barrington library throws Winnie-the-Pooh a 100th birthday
Barrington Area Library celebrates 100 years of the Hundred Acre Wood with crafts, games, a scavenger hunt, HUNNY tastings and tea, a visit from Pooh at 6:30, and a closing parade. All ages; registration suggested, and children come with a caregiver.
Barrington Area Library
Rolling Meadows · Fri, Nov 6 · 5:00 p.m.
Rolling Meadows hosts its annual dinner for veterans
The Rolling Meadows Veterans Committee and the city invite veterans and one guest to a complimentary plated dinner at Meridian Banquets, 1701 W. Algonquin Road, with music by the 484th Army Band and Medal of Honor recipient Allen J. Lynch as guest speaker. RSVP by October 30 at 847-870-9005.
City of Rolling Meadows
Buffalo Grove · Thu, Oct 1 – Sat, Oct 31
Buffalo Grove police gather pet supplies for A Safe Place
All October, the police lobby at 46 Raupp Blvd., open 24 hours, takes new, unopened cat litter, pet food, toys, leashes, bedding, and treats for the new pet space at A Safe Place, which shelters survivors of domestic violence as they move to new housing.
Village of Buffalo Grove
Palatine · Thu, Oct 1 – Sat, Oct 31
Library Care Cabinet needs toiletries for October
Starting October 1, Palatine Public Library locations collect shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, body care, period products, deodorant, and hand warmers for the Care Cabinet — unopened items only.
Palatine Public Library
Elk Grove Village · Fri, Oct 16 – Fri, Oct 30
Elk Grove Township sets two fall flu shot clinics
Flu shot clinics come to the township hall at 600 Landmeier Road on Friday, October 16 and Friday, October 30, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. both days. The township calendar has the details for each date.
Elk Grove Township
Schaumburg · Thu, Oct 1 – Fri, Oct 30
Cleaning Basics drive stocks new homes for local veterans
From October 1 through 30, the Township of Schaumburg collects new vacuums, brooms, mops, buckets, sponges, and cleaners for newly housed veterans. Its free Veteran Resource Fair runs Saturday, October 3, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., at the township office on Illinois Boulevard — no registration needed.
Township of Schaumburg
Schaumburg · Mon, Oct 19 – Fri, Oct 23
Coats for Kids collects new winter gear for District 54 students
The Township of Schaumburg gathers new coats, snow pants, winter boots, hats, and gloves for students in School District 54. Drop-off spots, including the township office and library branches, are on the township page.
Township of Schaumburg