Month: April 2025

Japanese American describes World War II internment camps

“Locked up in prison, surrounded by barbed wire.” That’s how Morton Grove storyteller Anne Shimojima described her parents’ and grandparents’ experiences in World War II internment camps. With photos from her family and the National Archives, the retired educator turned storyteller and workshop presenter gave “Hidden Memory: An American Story”

Volunteers needed: Earth Day planting extravaganza April 26

Calling all volunteers! Get ready to roll up your sleeves and help plant 500 shrubs near Camp Tomo Chi-Chi Knolls in celebration of Earth Day at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 26. Volunteers are needed to help plant hundreds of hazelnuts, nannyberries, and various shrubs near Camp Tomo Chi-Chi Knolls, within

Naperville high school artists invited to submit artwork to wrap six streetlight controller boxes this summer

The City of Naperville government invites teen artists to beautify the community by submitting original artwork. The selected artwork will be used to wrap six streetlight controller boxes near Naperville North and Naperville Central high schools, transforming the utility boxes into eye-catching public art. Submissions will be accepted through Wednesday,

Mariachi concert kicks off Aurora University fundraiser for student scholarships, campus improvements

Aurora University’s Day of Generosity opened with a Latin American flair Thursday, April 3. After an introduction by AU president Susana Rivera-Mills, 11 acclaimed female musicians presented “An Evening with Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea” in AU’s Crimi Auditorium. The free, public event opened AU’s inaugural Day of Generosity, a

Fed. blocks more than $400M for Illinois health programs

By Ben Szalinski & Jade AubreyCapitol News IllinoisNews@Capitolnewsillinois.com President Donald Trump’s administration is pulling back $477 million from Illinois that was to be used to prevent infectious disease and treat mental health and substance abuse issues. The Illinois Department of Public Health announced this week the federal Centers for Disease

‘Community Canvas’ opens at Aurora University

Aurora University students, faculty and staff autographed an “AU Community Canvas” Monday, March 31 in Crimi Auditorium lobby. For the canvas, running five days, campus community members added notes of encouragement, generosity and appreciation with markers. The signings kicked off pop-events leading to the school’s first-ever Day of Generosity set

Reader’s Voice: SAVE Act, unnecessary proof-of-citizenship

March 25, 2025Dear editor; Our democracy works best when every eligible voter, regardless of background, can make their voice heard. But the extreme SAVE Act threatens that right by imposing unnecessary and burdensome proof-of-citizenship requirements, making it significantly harder for millions of Americans to register and vote. This bill would

Reader’s Voice: Homeschooling bill bad for educational freedom

March 25, 2025Dear editor; Homeschooling is on the rise and some school administrators are very concerned that they’re losing tax resources with declining enrollment numbers. Representative Terra Costa Howard (D-Lombard) is targeting homeschooling families with HB 2827, claiming that she wants to protect children from parents “who don’t do it

Diabetes Club of Fox Valley members to meet April 9; monthly ‘Meet and Greet’, Saturday, April 12, at Society 57

By Russ George Members of the Diabetes Club of Fox Valley will hold their April membership meeting Wednesday, April 9, at Oak Street Restaurant, 945 Oak Street, in North Aurora. Meeting will be held in the East Banquet Room. Dinner is optional on members’ own from the menu at 5:30