CHICAGO HEIGHTS | The four flags that encircle the city emblem on residents' current city vehicle stickers do more than just provide an international flavor. They represent the national flags of the four countries with which Chicago Heights has established sister city relationships.

Since 1977, Chicago Heights has partnered with San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy; Wadowice, Poland; Cedral, Mexico; and the Asuogyaman District Assembly of Ghana, West Africa.

"What a nice way, with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Sister City International, that we can honor our four sister cities," said Eugene Sadus, chairman of the Chicago Heights-Wadowice Sister Cities Committee.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower founded Sister Cities International in 1956. Since that time, thousands of relationships have been formed to foster cultural exchanges and economic development between U.S. cities and their foreign partners.

Sadus, a retired Bloom High School social studies teacher, said that Eisenhower started the nonprofit organization in order to help overcome prejudices and hatred that existed during and after World War II.

"The mission is to promote good will," Sadus said.

Sadus did exactly that in 2005 when he served as chairman for the Wheelchairs for Peace program that sent more than 200 wheelchairs to disabled residents in Poland.

Sadus said that Chicago Heights is one of only five Illinois cities to have formed as many as four sister city relationships.

Sadus feels that when people view the sticker that was issued in July of 2006 and expires July 1, 2007, they should think of the diverse collection of people who have worked hard to form Chicago Heights.

City Clerk Ethel Taylor came up with the idea for the sticker, and believes residents should feel proud when they see the sticker that she said covers almost all nationalities in Chicago Heights.

"It actually represents their heritage," Taylor said. "Even if they were not born there, their forefathers come from these various cities and countries." Mayor Anthony DeLuca recently announced plans for a fundraising dinner to be held later this year with the purpose of raising money to erect a flagpole display of Chicago Heights sister city flags off of Chicago Road in front of City Hall.