Looking for a job? Report says Buffalo Grove ranks high

Statistics, it has been said, can be squirrely things. 

                Seriously.  If junior comes home from school with a test where he got 50 out of 100, parents panic.  If a professional baseball player gets 50 hits in 100 at bats, he’s an all-star. 

                OK, that’s extreme. But when the village sent out the following press release, I thought I’d check it out a bit more.

                The release touts Buffalo Grove for being a great place for jobs. 

                According to the press release: “The Village of Buffalo Grove has been named the 17th best city for jobs in Illinois by personal finance outlet, WalletHub.com.

                The study compared 162 cities in the state in an effort to assist Illinois job seekers locate employment. There were 16 metrics measured to complete the study relating to job-market health. They include unemployment rates, employment growth and median monthly starting salaries.

                “We are extremely pleased to see our ongoing efforts to support business and subsequent employment opportunities contribute to positive growth throughout the Village,” Village Manager Dane Bragg said.

                Buffalo Grove’s ratings are below. Rating values range from 1 being the Best, to 81 as an average rating:

·         Job Opportunities 27th

·         Employment Growth 18th

·         Health Benefits 11th

·         Unemployment Rate for High School Graduates 18th

·         Safety 5th

·         Housing Affordability 5th

·         Full-Time Employment 5th

·         Percentage of Persons with Disabilities in the Workforce 19th

                The full study conducted by WalletHub can be found here: https://wallethub.com/edu/best-illinois-cities-for-jobs/23236/.”

                At face value, the village ranks high.  However, the website for the study is more comprehensive than can be explained in a blog post.  Some of the subgroups of the study are pretty interesting. 

                For example, the highest employment growth, the study notes, is in – North Chicago.  And there’s a tie for Highest Monthly Median Starting Salary between – Zion and North Chicago.

                I did not see a category for “Best Opportunities for Sushi Chefs” – but my guess is Buffalo Grove would be near the top.

Wanna buy parking?  Go online.

                The village wants residents who park at the Metra Commuter lot to know they can now purchase the bi-monthly parking passes online. Parking passes for the September-October pass cycle can be purchased, here.

                You can also pay the daily rate Passport Parking on their mobile app, which can be found on this website, or by calling 847-380-4332. The Buffalo Grove Metra Station is Zone 336. Payment onsite is also available at any of the four electronic payment boxes at the station.

Sober up…or else

                Another holiday, another enforcement.  This time, the village says, the Buffalo Grove Police Department is partnering with the Illinois Department of Transportation to stop drunken drivers and help save lives. The "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" crackdown runs from Aug. 22 through Sept. 5.

                The village release says “law enforcement agencies across Illinois will show zero tolerance for impaired driving and seat belt law violators. Increased state and national messaging about the dangers of drunk and drugged driving, roadside safety checks and increased officers on the road, aim to reduce impaired driving in Buffalo Grove, and throughout Illinois.”

                There’s no word if they’ll be watching for ATMs that charge fees.

Buffalo Grove Days needs volunteers

                Not only can the Buffalo Grove Days Committee plan an event, it can provide high school students with the opportunity to volunteer during the event to complete required high school volunteer credits. If you know of a high school student who would be interested, contact Paulette Greenberg at 847-541-8482

                By the way, Buffalo Grove Days will be at its new location, Mike Rylko Park, from Wednesday, Aug. 31 through Monday, Sept. 5. For more information, click here.  The new home is not just for this year, it’s the new site for B.G. Days.  Period.

Cops take second

                It’s not clear how winners are selected, but apparently this is a big thing. 

                Quote the village PR flack:  The Buffalo Grove Police Department took 2nd place in the championship class for the 2015-2016 Illinois Traffic Safety Challenge (51-65 officer category).  The Illinois Traffic Safety Challenge is a competition that is held between similar size and type of law enforcement agencies to encourage ongoing developments to address highway safety issues in their jurisdiction, including occupant safety, speeding and impaired drivers.