Good morning, Chicago.

Assistant professor Azadeh Haghighi at UIC received nearly $750,000 from NASA to lead a multi-university project that will study laser welding techniques for building stronger space structures—she will develop a digital twin toolkit to help NASA predict weld quality in extreme conditions.

Wheeling Township’s new board met last Tuesday and changed meeting times from 8 p.m. to 7 p.m. while naming Trustee Lorri Grainawi (who helped create the mental health board) as its mental health contact; Grainawi said she will work so the board gets its own funding as the township starts updating its website and looks for a new law firm.

Mount Prospect is wrapping up a three-week trial of traffic calming measures—temporary cones, plastic bollards and rubber curbs installed May 19—on a cut-through route used by more than 1,000 cars daily.

Officials will review speed data and resident comments to decide if permanent changes will be made.

Illinois lawmakers left Springfield without passing legislation to help finance a new Bears stadium in Arlington Heights — the measure was sidelined as legislators dealt with urgent issues like the transit crisis.

In Arlington Heights, the village board approved a digital billboard near Arlington Park — a move set to boost the team's revenue.

UIC’s Wellness Center has trained nearly 500 staff, faculty and students since January 2023 in mental health first aid using the ALGEE framework—assess, listen, give help, encourage professional support, and promote self-help—to assist those in crisis.

The free one-day courses are offered in person and online—some colleges have begun training their own instructors to build a supportive campus community.

Since January 2023, UIC invested nearly $4.5 million to boost student mental health by hiring more counseling staff, training faculty in mental health first aid, and starting a program with graduate trainees (from the Jane Addams College of Social Work).

The university also commissioned a study (by the American College Health Association, which recommended rebranding its recreation center) and now plans to open a new drop-in center for emergency support this fall.