Find out which Highland Park residents participated in the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8k race in Chicago on April 7.

The popular race started and ended in Chicago’s Grant Park and took participants through the city’s downtown.

See the list of participants here.

The Lake County Chamber of Commerce and guests will celebrate the organization’s 98th anniversary with a dinner celebration at the Lake Forest Club on April 17 to welcome new board members and honor outstanding business leaders within the chamber. 

The annual dinner is one of the chamber’s largest fundraisers with proceeds from the event being used to support member programming and services for the Lake County Chamber.

This year's theme is "Innovation, Ingenuity & Reinvigorating Your Brand."

Acclaimed producer, host and major market news anchor Bill Kurtis will provide the keynote address for the evening. Having cultivated his personal brand as a media specialist, author and business leader earning the respect of his peers and viewers for more than 46 years, Kurtis continues to showcase his highly esteemed recognition as Chicago’s Anchorman.

Charles “Hank” Salemi, President of Six Flags Great America will participate as the featured business speaker for the evening.

Each year, member businesses and individuals within the chamber are honored for providing additional support and involvement in order to advance the mission of the organization which focuses on expanding business growth in Lake County.

Three business awards will be presented this year:

• Takeda Pharmaceuticals, U.S.A., of Deerfield, for the 2012-2013 Business of the Year Award.

• Karim Khoja of Dunkin' Donuts, of Northfield, for the 2012-2013 New Business of the Year Award.

• Kevin Stevens, owner of Real Capital Partners in Antioch, for the 2012-2013 Volunteer of the Year Award.

Student recipients of the 2013 Si Se Puede Scholarship will also be recognized during the awards program.

The annual dinner social hour will begin at 6 p.m. followed by the dinner and awards program at 7 p.m.

The evening will include a silent auction and jazz performance by the Jerry Tiberi Trio.

Individual tickets are $110 or $190 for two. Event sponsorships, corporate and half tables are also available.

Reserve your seat by contacting Shaunese Teamer at the Lake County Chamber office at (847) 249.3800 or visit  lakecountychamber.com.

Submitted by the Lake County Chamber of Commerce

A discussion broke out between Patch readers Tuesday in the wake of the armed robbery in Deerfield when two men walked into a Deerfield store Monday as one pointed a gun at employees and customers ordering them into a back room.

The incident ended with no one hurt and three men arrested for armed robbery and kidnapping less than three hours after the incident began, according to Deerfield Police reports.

Earlier: Police Arrest Armed Robbery Suspects After Chase

That did not stop Patch readers from discussing whether allowing conceal carry in Illinois would have prevented the crime or exacerbated the situation.

“A great example of why we need concealed carry in Illinois,” Ronnie wrote. “Another example of a bad guy with a gun and helpless individuals being taken advantage of. Thankfully the police were able to apprehend these (men) and nobody got hurt.”

Another reader, Carol Kraines, disagreed writing conceal carry would have made the situation worse. “An example of why we should never have concealed carry,” she writes. “If someone had a gun, there would have been shooting on both sides and many people could have died.”

Kraines and Ronnie agreed on one thing, “As it is, no one was hurt and the perps were arrested,” Kraines wrote.

Patch wants to know what you think. Complete the poll beneath this story and add any comments you deem appropriate. The results will be published next week.

Harvard

Woman Pulled From Burning Car After Crashing Into School Bus

Two good Samaritans are credited with pulling a Harvard woman from her burning car early Wednesday morning after she collided with a school bus on Route 14.

Deborah Furstenau, 53, was driving a 1997 Plymouth eastbound on Route 14 in unincorporated Hartland Township at about 7 a.m. April 10, when she lost control of the car, veered into the westbound lane and collided with a Durham School Bus, according to McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren.

Sheriff's police were called to the 16200 block of Route 14. While enroute to the crash scene deputies learned Furstenau's car had caught fire.

"...The driver had been rescued by a citizen and an off-duty McHenry County Conservation District officer," Nygren stated in a release.

Randall Ho and MCCD officer Daniel Hibbeler came upon the accident and pulled Furstenau from the burning vehicle.

Johnsburg

Former Catholic School Principal Arrested for Disorderly Conduct

The mystery of who sent anonymous letters to parents of current and past students at St. John the Baptist School in Johnsburg appears closer to being solved.

Johnsburg Police Department officials announced Tuesday they have filed charges against Pamela C. Dvonch, the school's former principal.

Dvonch, 63, 1607 W. Sunnyside Beach Dr., Johnsburg, turned herself into Johnsburg Police after charges of disorderly conduct were filed against her on Sunday, April 7, according to Johnsburg Police.

In a news release, the Johnsburg Police Department said on March 26, it received the first of 16 reports of “offensive” style anonymous letters that were received by parents of current and former students of St. John the Baptist School, 2304 W. Church St.

Deerfield

Armed Robbery Suspects Charged With Kidnapping

Two men who held customers and employees of a Deerfield store at gunpoint Monday night and a third person waiting in a car were charged with six counts each of kidnapping and armed robbery, according to a release from the Deerfield Police Department.

Lavell D. Hughes, 41, of Hazel Crest; Tony Johnson, 20, of Harvey and Andre Wadlington-Anthony, 28, of Harvey were each charged by the Cook County State’s Attorney with six counts of Armed Robbery and Kidnapping.

Earlier: Police Arrest Armed Robbery Suspects After Chase

All charges are Class X Felonies which carry a prison sentence of six to 30 years. Probation is not allowed for a Class X felony.

In a bond hearing today, Cook County Criminal Court Judge Marcia Orr set bail at $350,000 for each man, according to the release. They next appear in court April 30.

Highland Park

Trial Set for Woman Charged in Child's Death

A new trial date for Carly Rousso, 18, of Highland Park, has been set for July 12, reported the Lake County News-Sun.

Last October, Rousso pleaded not guilty to reckless homicide and aggravated DUI charges for the death of 5-year-old Jaclyn Santos-Sacramento of Highland Park, reported Patch.

Rousso was driving eastbound on Central Avenue on Labor Day afternoon when she drifted across the road and into the sidewalk, hitting 25-year-old Modesta Sacramento and her three children. Jaclyn was killed.

Toxicology reports indicated that the compound Difluoroethane was detected in Rousso's blood, according to a grand jury indictment, reported Patch. The compound was found in a commercial cleaning product uncovered in Rousso's car, according to Ken LaRue, the Lake County State's Attorney's Traffic Division chief.

Rousso remains free on $500,000 bond. Last December, a judge temporarily lifted the 24-hour curfew so she could travel to Arizona to visit family, reported Patch.

Rousso, who is also a defendant in a civil suit being sought by Jaclyn Santos-Sacramento's family, is due back in court June 11, reported the News-Sun.

Libertyville

Man Pleads Guilty in Boating Death of Tony Borcia

Instead of going to trial next month, David Hatyina, 51, of Bartlett, has plead guilty to one count of aggravated driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol in last summer's boating death of 10-year-old Anthony "Tony" Borcia, reported the Lake County News-Sun.

The Butterfield School fifth-grader was enjoying a day on the lake with family and friends on July 28, 2012, when he fell off of an inner tube and was struck by David Hatyina's boat and killed, reported Patch.

In exchange for his guilty plea, charges of aggravated DUI and reckless homicide against Hatyina were dropped. Sentencing is scheduled for June 13, according to the News-Sun.

Hatyina remains free on $1 million bond.

Did the tax man take a big bite out of your wallet this month? With tax season almost behind us, let's take a look at an issue before the state legislature — should Illinois switch from a flat income tax rate to a graduated rate?

The last year Illinoisans escaped paying income tax to the state was 1969. Just seven states still collect no income tax. Thirty-four states use the graduated income tax system, while eight others join Illinois in imposing one rate on all. Our friends at Reboot Illinois put together a graphic look at various aspects of the flat tax vs. graduated tax debate, excerpted here on Patch. 

Check out the full graphic at RebootIllinois.com.

Want to know more?

• Would a graduated tax rate be a big money grab? Read John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute: Now that the 2011 state tax increase has failed to satisfy Springfield’s appetite for overspending, expect the big government crowd to move on to another tax hike: a progressive tax. 
• Or would it actually drive down taxes on most Illinoisans? Read Ralph Martire, executive director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability: The state's mix of tax revenues is so poorly designed that it fails to satisfy any principles of sound, fair, efficient or stable taxation for a modern, capitalist economy.

This article is posted throughout the Chicago-area Patch network. 

People thought they were going to sit down for a nice, relaxing cup of coffee until SURPRISE! The chair stood up.

A "human chair" gives customers a fun scare in this week's YouTube video, posted by ucmagic. This video was featured on the Today Show and has gotten 1,547,110 hits on YouTube so far. 

As If Cryptozoologists Don't Have Enough Work Already 

A Wilmette resident reported that a 12-pound Yeti statue was removed from his backyard garden. 

Tiger Woods Can't Catch a Break

A Buffalo Grove resident reported hearing a loud noise at 1:00 a.m., and later found a broken bedroom window and a golf ball on the floor.

Cops Crash Honeymoon, Romantic Getaway

Vernon Hills police charged a couple with public indecency after the couple was caught having sex in a car parked on a neighbor’s driveway. The car's driver was also charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, after he tried to drive away when police told him to exit the vehicle.

Man Steals Wearable Cocktail Mix

A man stole a jar of cinnamon, a bottle of Franzia wine and a T-shirt from a department store in Evanston.

How Was Indiana?

A Highland Park man was charged with reckless conduct and possession of fireworks after police responded to a complaint of a large fireworks box being set off in someone's front yard.

We love Craigslist. The online classified is easy to use, localized and discreet. Whether you're looking for collectables, furniture or a passive-aggressive gift for your in-laws, there's a good chance you could find it on Craiglist for cheap. 

In this weekly feature, we highlight some of the stranger items that appear on the website from around the North Shore. Share your Craiglist success and horror stories in the comments section below.

Is Don Draper a moral person?

As Mad Men continues its sixth season on AMC Draper, played by Jon Hamm has resumed his philandering ways – albeit with a bit more regret attached.

As his marriage to the increasingly insufferable Megan continues to sour he has taken up with the wife of a neighbor. A doctor he appears to not only like and respect, but perhaps envy as well.

Does Don's infidelity in and of itself make him an immoral person or is morality a bit more complicated? Most people go through life making decisions, good and bad. Do the sum of those decisions define a person as moral or immoral, or should such a classification be reserved for actions that are taken?

Here's a look back at the good and bad of Don Draper:

The Good

• Don is an honest business man. He even told that guy who thought Jai alai would be the next big American sport to not waste his money.
• Don has a pretty good work ethic, will work hard for his clients and seems to have a passion for what he does.
• Don is pretty good to his kids – when he spends time with them. In a period when it was acceptable to hit your kids for little reason, Don does not – even when one of his kids busts the Hi-Fi.
• In a time of rampant sexism, Don gave Peggy Olson her start as a copywriter and mentored her. And when she quit, he kissed her hand.
• Don was the only partner in the firm who told Joan not to sleep with a guy to land the Jaguar account.

The Bad

• Don drinks a lot and recently vomited during the funeral of Roger Sterling's mother.
• Don is not the most faithful husband – by a loooonnggg shot. He cheated on Betty nonstop and has begun cheating on his new wife Megan.
• Don took the identity of a guy who got blown up in Korea and got out of the war early, breaking several laws in the process.
• Don blew off his long lost brother and the guy proceeded to kill himself.

Lane closures begin at 5 a.m. today for the major planned construction project on Lake Cook Road between Deer Lake and Ellendale Roads, according to information provided by the Village’s official construction website.

Initial lane closures will be in effect from 5 a.m. to approximately 5 p.m. during the initial phase of the project.

Earlier: Effort Made to Ease Lake Cook Construction Burden

“The first stage of construction will include the demolition of median islands to provide for temporary pavement to allow for the maintenance of one lane of traffic in each direction and left-turn lanes during construction,” the Village writes on the website.

Deerfield will provide continual updates on its special website (www,lakecookroad.com). People can register on the website for regular email updates to keep thoroughly informed about the status of all the work being done.

The Village will hold a meeting at 3 p.m. for businesses and 5 p.m. for residents Thursday at Deerfield Village Hall. Representatives of the Cook County Department of Transportation and contractor ALamp Road Builders will be there to answer questions.

Get local news in a daily email from Patch. It's like getting a free newspaper. Learn more and then "like" us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

We had more than a dozen captions submitted for the photo of a curious cat in last week's Caption This contest.

The Patch judges awarded title of best caption to Larry Levin for "Bye-bye, Birdie!"

Both Larry Levin and J C, who submitted the photo, will get a digital copy of the photo with the caption affixed. You can click on the thumbnail above to see what it looks like.

For next week, we’ve got a photo of a dog playing Monopoly. You can start submitting your funniest caption ideas now.

Here’s how it works:

* In the comments section below, write in your best idea for a funny caption for this photo. Comments must be in by noon Friday.

* The esteemed Patch judges will pick our favorite and announce it Monday, along with a new photo to caption.

* Both the caption writer and the reader who submitted the photo will get an emailed copy of the captioned photo.

Want to upload your own funny pet photos for future caption consideration? Please do by clicking through to this article.

About this sponsorship: In honor of the 60^th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic ascent of Mount Everest, Patch and Grape-Nuts are teaming up to highlight those who inspire people around them to climb their own mountains.

Walk into Chris Baker's tattoo shop, and you’re greeted by a huge biker-looking dude covered in 140 hours’ worth of ink.

Baker’s shop, the first tattoo studio in Oswego, is the cleanest tattoo place you will ever see. A guitar signed by former Korn guitarist Brian “Head” Welch hangs on the wall, a reminder of a turning point in Baker's life.

"His book Save Me From Myself turned my life around," says Chris Baker, a 42-year-old tattoo artist, youth pastor and father of three.  

Baker now helps save others by removing gangland and sex-trafficking tattoos. In the last year, he has removed or inked over 508 unwanted tattoos, half of them on girls and young women escaping the sex trade in Chicago and the suburbs. He does the work through his non-profit, INK 180 Ministry, funded largely out of his own pocket, often at the invitation of police and FBI agents.

"Some of the Chicago politicians keep this quiet because they don’t want the tourism to go down," he says, showing photos of UPC code-like tattoos on the necks of young women. "Pimps make the girls get them so they can be identified. If a girl escapes and goes to another city, if another pimp finds her number, she can be killed. It’s all underground.

"I began covering human-trafficking tattoos about nine months ago … to help the victims of this heinous crime."

Baker gets quiet as he shows photos of the code tattoos. 

"Most of these girls are between the ages of 11 and 17."

Q. What’s the biggest challenge you’re facing? 

A. The biggest challenge I face is funding. I hate doing fundraisers and asking for donations. We’re a 501c3 non-profit organization. I’m much more focused on covering the negative tattoos and helping people get started in their new lives. 

Q. What inspired you to take on this challenge?

A. I was trying to teach my youth group kids about serving God. I told them to pray about how they could use their gifts from God to help others. I started doing that as well. The answer I got back was: Do what you love to do more than anything else, and will you do it for free? I started doing free tattoo cover-ups and INK 180 was born.

Q. Have you succeeded?

A. God has succeeded. He changed me and has asked me to help others do the same. Every day is a new adventure, and I love every second of it. I am happier than I’ve ever been, and I’m a renewed person. It has also improved my family life. I work hard every day to be the best person I can be, and try to live my life according to God’s plan.

Read about Chris Baker's life in an original story on Oswego Patch. Learn more about INK 180 on its website. If you know of a former gang member wanting to remove a tattoo (teardrops are called "jobstopper tattoos") or a woman who wants to rid herself of a sex trafficking tattoo, contact Chris Baker directly via email. There will be no charge for this service.

This post is published throughout the Chicago-area Patch network.

Guildhall— an upscale restaurant in downtown Glencoe — opened it's doors last month to rave reviews.

"Can I tell you how happy I am that Guildhall has opened in Glencoe,"Yelp user Alex B. said on the user-review website, giving the restaurant five out of five stars. "Finally, a city-worthy dining destination here in my backyard."

Yelper Jody B. echoed the same sentiment, giving it five out of five stars. 

"Ok... maybe I'm giving it 5 stars (instead of 4) because there hasn't been a place this good to go for dinner in Glencoe in the past 20 years! Or, ok, maybe NEVER!" said Yelper Jody B. 

Christian Ragano, the executive chef at Guildhall, is largely behind those rave reviews, with a menu that blends both simplicity and creativity. 

"We make things like homemade pastas with simple preparations and we have a simple roasted half chicken," Ragano said. "I'm not saying people here have siple tastes. But our menu could go either way, so we do feel we're broad enough to appeal to a variety of people." 

For complete Highland Park news and updates, sign up for our free newsletter, "like" us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Ragano became interested in cooking after his dad opened a restaurant in his home state of New York. 

"My father was an attorney and I thought that I'd take over the family business," he said. "I started studying political science and law, and I absolutely hated it."

Ragano dropped out of Hopkins University and began to attend Nassau Community College where he "went to a two year school for four years and didn't get a degree." 

In the meantime, Ragano's father purchased a restaurant and Ragano found that he liked spending time there. He stated out working as a busboy in the front of the house before getting transferred to the kitchen. 

"The restaurant failed, but I started to work in other restaurants," he said. 

He took a job at Tuscany, which was the highest Zagat-rated restaurant on Long Island. 

"They had these really fancy plates, and I wanted to learn to make plates that looked like that."

On a whim, his best friend and him went to visit the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), which he fell in love with. He applied and was accepted. 

"In culinary school, you learn the basic skills and the foundation to cooking, as well as about different international foods," he explained.

At CIA, Ragano developed an interest in French cooking, and spent eleven out of his thirteen years in restaurants working in French kitchens. 

"French restaurants are definitely different," he said. "There's a definite hierarchy. It's very disciplined. I worked for one screamer, but he taught me a lot about food." 

From downtown New York City to downtown Glencoe

Ragano has previously worked at the NoMI in the Park Hyatt and at Tru in Chicago, and was most recently the executive chef for New York Central at the Grand Hyatt in New York. 

"[Working in Glencoe] doesn't differ that much from working in hotels," Ragano explained. "You have to try to accommodate every guest as best as you can and you have to offer options." 

Guildhall is also very family-oriented, which differs from some restaurants in more urban settings. In fact, Guildhall even offers a kids menu, featuring an upscale take on some kid-friendly favorites. (Such as Mac & Cheese with elbow macaroni, parmesan, Gruyere and garlic breadcrumbs, and Market Fish 'n 'Chipss' — cornmeal and buttermilk-battered chips with lemon aioli, English peas and kale chips.) 

14+ Hours Per Day, Seven Days Per Week

But starting a new restaurant, unsurprisingly, doesn't leave Ragano with a lot of free time. 

"I'm walking in the door around 8 or 9," he said "I start writing prep lists and ordering for the next day. I prep the cooks at 9 a.m. Then, me and my sous chef do the butchery in house — we bring it in whole. Then we brine the chicken and the pork chops. We take a few breaks to help the cooks and make sure everything is going correctly."

The staff has a "family meal" at 4:30, with service beginning at 5 p.m. 

"We go through the service and then service wraps at 10 or 11. We clean up the kitchen and go home...and we do that seven days a week," he said. 

When he's not working, Ragano spends time with his three-year-old daughter who already loves baking cookies. 

"Her mom's a chef as well," Ragano said. "She's at home now, but she'll be starting as a chef instructor at the French Pastry School." 

While Guildhall is still relatively new, the restaurant is already thinking up new ideas to try in the future, including a weekend brunch, pairing up with different brewers and mixologists and even opening another restaurant in Hubbard Woods.

"It's going to be a surprise!" Ragano said when asked about the plans for the Winnetka restaurant. 

Guildhall is open Mondays through Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. For more information, visit their website here. 

Chicago restaurateur Mike Moore of Lake Forest decided to come home.

After operating pasta and tapas eateries on Chicago’s trendy north side, Moore opened Pasta Palooza March 17 in downtown Lake Bluff.

The restaurant, which is open from 11:30 a.m. through 9 p.m. daily, was full when we dined their Saturday. Not being a food critic, I will write only that we enjoyed our dinner but you, our readers, can be the critics.

Go to the company’s listing on Patch and post your own review. We may just publish some of those critiques or do a summary.

Want Highland Park news in your inbox? Subscribe to Patch's newsletter.

Manda Packing Company has recalled 468,000 pounds of meat, including some that was sold in Illinois, the Huffington Post reports.

The roast beef, ham, turkey breast, tasso pork, ham shanks, hog head cheese, corned beef and pastrami have all been pulled from store shelves due to possible listeria contamination, the USDA reports.

The meats were produced between Feb. 27 and April 9 with various “sell by” dates. The meats were sold under multiple brand names that can be found on the USDA’s website.

The recalled meats were shipped to stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.

In this video from LCTV, learn how a transportation system that started as dirt roads has become an impressive network of safe and efficient roadways, intersections, roundabouts and bike paths.

Prior to 1913, most of the roads in Illinois were dirt roads and inclement weather made them nearly impossible to navigate. Because of this, a movement arose to "get Illinois out of the mud," according to the Lake County Division of Transportation.

At that time, roads within the state of Illinois were the responsibility of the individual townships. Under the Tice Act of 1913, the responsibility for building the road system shifted from the township to the county, under the direction of a county superintendent of highways.

LCDOT will be adding articles, pictures and more to this page as we celebrate our 100th year!

Related blog:

Lake County Division of Transportation Celebrates 100 Years

Abbott today announced it is initiating a voluntary recall of FreeStyle InsuLinx Blood Glucose Meters in the United States.

The company has determined that at extremely high blood glucose levels of 1024 mg/dL and above, the FreeStyle InsuLinx Meter will display and store in memory an incorrect test result that is 1024 mg/dL below the measured result.

For example, at a blood glucose value of 1066 mg/dL, the meter will display and store a value of 42 mg/dL (1066 mg/dL – 1024 mg/dL = 42 mg/dL).

No other Abbott blood glucose meters are impacted by this issue.

Blood glucose levels at 1024 mg/dL and above are very rare. However, if high blood glucose levels of 1024 mg/dL and above do occur, they are a serious health risk and require immediate medical attention. As the FreeStyle InsuLinx Meter can display an inaccurate low result at a blood glucose level above 1024 mg/dL, there may be a delay in the identification and treatment of severe hyperglycemia, or incorrect treatment may be given. This could lead to serious injury or death.

Customers who are using the FreeStyle InsuLinx Meter should immediately take one of the following actions to address this issue with their meter:

• Customers can access a software update to resolve the issue at www.freestyleinsulinx.com/swupdate. The software update will allow customers to maintain settings and historical data on their meter.

• Customers can contact Abbott Diabetes Care Customer Service at 1-866-723-2697 to expedite return and replacement of their FreeStyle InsuLinx meter at no charge. Replacements are available, and Abbott will send meters to customers immediately upon request.

Until customers are able to update the meter software or until a requested replacement meter arrives, the current FreeStyle InsuLinx meter may be used; however, if patients experience symptoms that are not consistent with their readings, they should contact their healthcare professional and follow his or her treatment advice.

"Our first priority is to safeguard the health and safety of patients," said Heather Mason, senior vice president, Diabetes Care, Abbott. "We are committed to ensuring that our customers are able to continue to test their blood glucose with confidence, and we initiated this voluntary recall to ensure our products continue to meet the highest standards of quality and safety. We regret any inconvenience this action may cause."

The company is notifying all registered users, healthcare professionals, pharmacies and distributors where the FreeStyle InsuLinx Meter is sold. Abbott estimates that there are approximately 50,000 active FreeStyle InsuLinx Meter users in the United States. Upon identifying the issue, Abbott promptly developed and implemented an update to the meter.

To date, there has been one reported patient incident in the United States that may be related to this specific issue. The patient sought medical treatment, was diagnosed with hyperglycemia, treated and released. It has not been determined that the FreeStyle InsuLinx Meter was the cause.

Hustle through Danny Cunniff Park with the Park District of Highland Park at the Highland Park Hustle scheduled for Saturday, May 11.

Test your knowledge and skill as you complete different skills and activities and mental tasks as you gather prizes along the way. Assemble a team of up to four people and get your running shoes on. Think you have what it takes to solve a puzzle or shake ping pong balls from a box tied to your waist? Sign up individually and let the fun begin

This family-friendly event is for ages 10 and older. Cost is $10 per person for district and non-district residents alike.

The deadline to register is April 30.

For more information, visit www.pdhp.org or call (847) 831-3810.

If you haven't filed your taxes yet, you have until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 15, 2013 to do so, or earlier if you plan on using snail mail.

Those who haven't finished completing their returns can get an automatic six-month extension. The fastest and easiest way to get the extra time, the IRS says, is through this Free File link — use the free service to electronically request an automatic tax-filing extension on Form 4868.

Do you like to do your taxes in person? Check Patch's directory for some places to get help in the Evanston area. 

Filing this form gives taxpayers until Oct. 15 to file a return and allows individuals to avoid a late-filing penalty. To get the extension, you must estimate your tax liability and also pay any amount due.

Here's tax deadlines, according to efile.com:

• April 15, 2013 - 2012 Federal Tax Return Tax Day for Tax Year 2012 - Filing deadline and due date for Federal Income Tax Returns.
• Start State Tax Return. April 15, 2013 - 2012 Federal Tax Extension Due date for Tax Extensions for 2012 Federal Income Tax Returns.
• Start Federal Tax Extension. October 15, 2013 - 2012 Federal Tax Return Last day to efile a 2012 Income Tax Return for Tax Extension filers and late Tax Return filers.
• Start Late Federal Income Tax Return. April 15, 2016 - 2012 Tax Amendment You can file an Amended Return to pay taxes due anytime, but you generally have a deadline of 3 years from the original due date to claim a tax refund.

Tax Changes for 2013 Tax Year: 

When you file your 2012 taxes, you might want to start planning for these tax changes that will affect your 2013 filings. Here are some highlights of what's different:

• Beginning in tax year 2013 (generally for tax returns filed in 2014), a new tax rate of 39.6 percent has been added for individuals whose income exceeds $400,000 ($450,000 for married taxpayers filing a joint return). The other marginal rates—10, 15, 25, 28, 33 and 35 percent—remain the same as in prior years. The guidance contains the taxable income thresholds for each of the marginal rates.

• The standard deduction rises to $6,100 ($12,200 for married couples filing jointly), up from $5,950 ($11,900 for married couples filing jointly) for tax year 2012.

• The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 added a limitation for itemized deductions claimed on 2013 returns of individuals with incomes of $250,000 or more ($300,000 for married couples filing jointly).

• The personal exemption rises to $3,900, up from the 2012 exemption of $3,800. Beginning in 2013, however, the exemption is subject to a phaseout that begins with adjusted gross incomes of $150,000 ($300,000 for married couples filing jointly). It phases out completely at $211,250 ($422,500 for married couples filing jointly).

• The Alternative Minimum Tax exemption amount for tax year 2013 is $51,900 ($80,800, for married couples filing jointly), set by the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, which indexes future amounts for inflation. The 2012 exemption amount was $50,600 ($78,750 for married couples filing jointly).

• The maximum Earned Income Credit amount is $6,044 for taxpayers filing jointly who have three or more qualifying children, up from a total of $5,891 for tax year 2012.

• Estates of descendants who die during 2013 have a basic exclusion amount of $5,250,000, up from a total of $5,120,000 for estates of decedents who died in 2012.

• For tax year 2013, the monthly limitation regarding the aggregate fringe benefit exclusion amount for transit passes and transportation in a commuter highway vehicle is $245, up from $240 for tax year 2012. The legislation provided a retroactive increase from the $125 limit that had been in place.