Atlanta -- Atlanta-based RCG Ventures has acquired The Landings, a 112,622-square-foot shopping center located in the Chicago suburb of Bolingbroke, Illinois.
The center is anchored by Planet Fitness, PetSmart and Office Max, and is shadow-anchored by The Home Depot and Meijer. Jeff Miller represented RCG internally, and Austin Weisenbeck and Sean Sharko of Marcus & Millichap represented the undisclosed seller in the transaction. Terms of the sale were undisclosed. RCG has also sold four properties located in Georgia, North Carolina and Wisconsin. Dispositions include First Tuesday Center, a 158,795-square-foot shopping center located 45 miles west of Atlanta in Carrollton, Georgia; May’s Crossing, a 138,241-square-foot center located 16 miles south of Atlanta in Stockbridge, Georgia; Pamlico Plaza, an 89,967-square-foot center located in Washington, North Carolina; and Shawano Plaza, a 192,675-square-foot center located in Shawano, Wisconsin. Terms of the transactions and buyers were undisclosed. First Tuesday Center is home to tenants including Roses, Food Depot, Farmers Home Furniture and Dollar Tree. Margaret Caldwell and Margaret Jones of JLL represented RCG in the transaction. May’s Crossing is anchored by Big Lots, dd’s Discounts and Dollar Tree. RCG was represented by Mark Joines and Drew Fleming of Newmark Knight Frank in the disposition. Pamlico Plaza in North Carolina is anchored by Burke’s Outlet and Office Depot, and shadow-anchored by Walmart. Ryan McArdle, David Rivers and Steve Collins of The Palomar Group represented RCG in the transaction. Dunham’s Sports anchors Shawano Plaza in Wisconsin. Tom Fisk and Adam Meyers of NAI Pfefferle represented RCG in the disposition.

John Hersey High School has begun collecting food items as part of its annual food drive to help those in need.

The food drive is one of Hersey's biggest philanthropic undertakings, and thanks to the community, the school has collected record amounts of food during the past few years to benefit those experiencing difficult times.

On Nov. 5, Hersey students began canvassing area neighborhoods to place bags donated from Jewel on doorsteps with instructions on how to participate. On Tuesday, Nov. 13, Hersey students will return to the neighborhoods to pick up donated items in the filled bags.

Students will box and label the donations before loading everything onto trucks provided by U-Haul on Friday, Nov. 16, and deliver the food to local food pantries.
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Hersey is also seeking boxes that are close to 16-by-13-by-13-inch or of a similar size. If you have boxes to donate, please contact Assistant Principal John Novak at john.novak@d214.org or (847) 718-4818.

The borrowing plan also would allow officials to create classrooms that could, one day, accommodate a full-day kindergarten program, which District 21 board members recently have begun discussing.
“I also think that for parents with young children who are close to school age, they understand the need for having a full-day kindergarten program in the district,” Connolly said.
Phil Pritzker, president of the District 21 board, said officials spent nearly 18 months engaging with residents and other community stakeholders to ensure their voices were heard and to encourage them to be part of the decision-making process.
“It just all came down to a lot of hard work and the right story … the need for better school security, air-conditioned buildings and an all-day kindergarten,” Pritzker said.
Serving 6,500 students in nine elementary and three middle schools, as well as one early childhood center, District 21 enrolls students who live in Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Mount Prospect, Prospect Heights, Wheeling and a portion of Northbrook.
Kelly Eidson, chairwoman of the District 21 Citizens Committee, is among the District 21 residents who have been working since last August to encourage voters to support the referendum.
“My oldest child was in first grade when there was the school shootings in Sandy Hook, and I’ll never forget that day,” Eidson said. “As a parent, school security is always on my mind, and it’s a big part of why I’ve worked so hard to pass this referendum.”
Since the proposed bond sale, if approved, would result in slightly higher district property taxes for area homeowners, Eidson said, district officials have made every effort to involve residents.
In addition to releasing community surveys, officials hosted town hall-style meetings, engaging in what Eidson said were “some very heated conversations.”
“I feel the district’s leadership was determined to get community feedback, and to hear what residents want to see in their schools and what issues they’re concerned about, and not concerned about,” Eidson said.
If the proposed $69 million bond sale is approved, a District 21 homeowner with a property valued at $300,000 is estimated to see an annual property tax increase totaling $78.
A homeowner with a home valued at $400,000 would see the district’s portion of their property tax bill increase by $107 each year, while an owner with a home valued at $500,000 would see an annual increase of $136, according to district estimates.
The election Tuesday marks the first time District 21 officials have placed a referendum measure on the ballot since 2003, when voters approved an operating fund rate increase.
Other security upgrades that would be paid for with funding from the proposed borrowing plan would include the installation of digital security cameras and enhanced exterior lighting in school buildings, officials have said.
The installation of air conditioning systems in all of the district’s buildings and the purchase of new classroom furniture, including desks and chairs, would also be done, if the referendum is approved.
District officials also have begun discussing the idea of a district-wide, full-day kindergarten program after more than 80 percent of residents who participated in a recent community survey said they support the initiative, officials have said.
The district currently offers a full-day kindergarten program at only the three elementary schools that receive federal dollars for serving a high percentage of low-income students.
kcullotta@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @kcullotta

The 22nd annual Mount Prospect Toys for Kids program offers residents and businesses an opportunity to make the holidays brighter for hundreds of local children by donating toys or gift cards. Last year alone, the program assisted more than 300 children from over 100 families.
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"This event helps to relieve financial stress so that parents can enjoy the holidays with their children. For some children, this is one of the few gifts they receive to open on the holiday," said Mount Prospect Human Services Director Julie Kane.

Village staff reviews financial assessments that qualify the children and families to participate and they are invited to Fire Station 14 on Saturday, Dec. 15, to pick up their toys and visit with Santa Claus.
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Residents or businesses can drop off new, unwrapped toys at any Mount Prospect fire station through Friday, Dec. 7. Officials say they especially need for donations for children ages 7-13. Older children especially appreciate gift cards to major department stores.