The public is invited to attend a meet and greet candidate forum for Will County Board District 11 candidates on Feb. 27. An invitation has been sent to all four candidates: Suzanne Hart, Charles Maher, Joe Hudetz and Debra Holscher. All the candidates live in Naperville. During the forum the candidates will have the opportunity to introduce themselves and participate in a question and answer session. Afterwards, the candidates will have an opportunity to meet with the audience. The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Conference Rooms A and B at the 95th Street Library at 3015 Cedar Glade Drive in Naperville. The room will be open at 7 p.m. for seating and guest registration. For more information, e-mail to 2012candidateforum@gmail.com.

Will County Executive Larry Walsh is leading a public awareness initiative in response to the growing number of fatal heroin overdoses in local communities. County Executive Walsh has been joined by Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow, Will County Coroner Patrick O’Neil, Will County Sheriff Paul Kaupas and Chief Judge Gerald Kinney in forming an organization called HELPS, which stands for Heroin Education Leads to Preventative Solutions. HELPS is launching a threefold plan to bring this life-threatening epidemic to the public’s attention with a series of public service announcements, a speakers bureau, and a community forum and rally in April.

Will County Executive Larry Walsh announced Will County will receive a second Regional Transportation Authority grant of $500,000 to fund the cooperative efforts of county government and local townships in Eastern Will County. The grant seeks to expand and improve transit services available to the disabled, seniors and low-income residents. The total project budget is $892,000, which is a combination of federal funds and local match dollars.