The Village of Hoffman Estates recognized graduates of its second annual Public Works Citizens Academy at a ceremony that included certificate presentations and remarks from department staff. The program aimed to familiarize residents with the daily work of public works divisions and the services they provide.

A village speaker thanked participants for their attendance and noted the academy’s goal of improving public understanding of often behind-the-scenes municipal work. “Academy participants learned about many things, many different activities that public works does on a daily basis, many of which are unknown to the general public,” the staff member said. The program included hands-on activities across multiple divisions and the village encouraged graduates to share what they learned with neighbors.

Organizers credited John Kavaca for assembling the program; certificates and commemorative coins were distributed to attendees, with several graduates named during the presentation, including Deepak Thakur and Maggie Dowling. Staff said they will provide certificates to graduates who could not attend and save cake for them.

The ceremony was celebratory and educational; no policy decisions or budget changes were announced at the event.