By Jerry Nowicki Sustained higher-than-predicted State tax revenues have in recent months given lawmakers a level of budgeting flexibility that is, at least in modern times, without precedent in a State with a reputation for perilous finances. For the current fiscal year and the one prior to it, that’s led
By Peter Hancock The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced Tuesday, Jan. 31 that Elgin-based School District U-46 superintendent Tony Sanders will become the next State superintendent of education. Sanders, 53, will succeed Carmen Ayala, who announced in November 2022 that she would retire effective January 31. ISBE reported
The five white crosses commemorating the lives lost in the workplace shooting at the Henry Pratt Company in Aurora February 15, 2019, will be on display at the Aurora Historical Society from February 3 through February 18 at the Pierce Art and History Center. The crosses, made by the late
During this week, as National Mentoring Month there is a transition into Black History Month, one of Aurora’s leading black trailblazers and foremost mentors made his transition, as well. Civic icon Fred Rodgers died last weekend, and multiple generations of Auroran expressed condolences through social media once the news was
By Peter Hancock A temporary restraining order that partially blocks Illinois’ new assault weapons ban from being enforced will remain in place after a divided State appellate court panel’s ruling Tuesday, Jan. 31. The restraining order was issued Jan. 20 by Effingham County Circuit Judge Joshua Morrison, but it applies
Perception often is as important as the facts. An example is the headline at the top of page 1 this week, “State budget surpluses: Billions of dollars”. Residents of Illinois have heard for many years reports of failure, shortfall, debits, and problems with State government finances. The startling situation and
The Diabetes Club of Fox Valley will hold its February membership meeting Thursday, Feb. 9, at the historic Gray’s Mill Estate, 211 North River Street, Montgomery. Meeting and dinner will be held in the Second Floor Banquet Room. Dinner on your own off the menu at 5:30 p.m. and meeting
Cantigny Park and the League of Women Voters invite the public to their next Civic Awareness Series program at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, Jim Slusher of the Daily Herald Editorial Board will lead a discussion on ideas for election reform. The free, online, program will be conducted through Zoom.
“Coffee & Cars,” an open meet-up for car buffs, will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 4, at Oswegoland Senior and Community Center, 3525 Route 34 in Oswego. The public is invited. Admission and parking are free. AutoSmart is the sponsor. Brian Caldwell, AutoSmart owner, will be
Meetings for Open Roads ABATE of Illinois, Inc. Chapter will take place every other month this year with group rides and/or events on the non-meeting month. We will plan dates for our events and group rides to share with our members. Great ideas have been shared and we look forward
In his lifetime, Michelangelo was called Il Divino, or, “the Divine one.” He was born March 6, 1475 in the Republic of Florence. For several generations his family had been bankers in Florence, but the bank failed and his father, Ludovico, took a government post in Caprese. Several months after
The Aurora Fire Department responded to a structure fire at midnight, January 31 at a large manufacturing facility in the 1000 block of Sullivan Road. A semi-trailer parked in the loading dock caught fire and spread to the loading dock area of the building. Firefighters encountered frozen hydrants and a
Voters of the Aurora 6th Ward are invited to attend an online forum at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, featuring the candidates running for the 6th Ward alderman in the primary election. Five candidates are on the February 28 Primary Election ballot: Incumbent Michael B Saville, Matthew J Orr, Nicole
“DuPage County Board Chair Deborah Conroy, Sheriff James Mendrick, and State’s Attorney Robert Berlin engaged in a meaningful conversation during which they discussed their shared commitment to the safety of DuPage County residents. The conversation also included discussion of Illinois’ new assault weapons ban, known as the Protect Illinois Communities
I recently watched Geoffrey Baer’s shows on PBS, in which he tours various Chicago neighborhoods on the L, driving, walking, snowboarding, all without getting shot with bullets, or spray-painted with graffiti, and it brought back memories of my experiences. Some time back, I wrote of my early memories of attending
Ingredients1 (4 pound) boneless pork shoulder roastsalt and freshly ground black pepper to taste1 tablespoon vegetable oil2 shallots, sliced1 rib celery, chopped1/2 cup apple cider vinegar2 1/2 cups apple cider4 cloves garlic, peeled1 bay leaf1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard1 pinch cayenne pepper, or more to taste2 tablespoons cold butter, cut
While you may not accept this, still I say it’s true;The things you like to use identify with you.You can’t call it intelligence—just sensory,And if you stop to think about it, you’ll agree.So shoes, or slacks, or blouse, or shirt, or coat, or hat,You feel good ‘cause they feel good
Conductor Lee Mills wants to challenge the way observers think of orchestral music. Mills will conduct the Elgin Symphony Orchestra March 4 and 5 in performances of Charles Ives’ “The Unanswered Question,” Juan David Osorio’s “El Paraiso según María,” Arturo Márquez’s “Danzón No. 2,” and Dvořák’s “Cello Concerto.” The pieces,
Mental health treatment in the United States has a long and complex history, with a variety of treatments being used over many years. In the 19th and 20th Centuries, treatment consisted largely of locking patients away to strip them of their liberties. It was due to limited knowledge, a lack
Geneva History Museum, 113 Third Street in Geneva, is launching a lecture series highlighting Viking history, culture and contributions. The public is invited. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children ages 3-10, students and seniors from age 65; free for Museum members. Presentations are: • March 14—Viking Women,
