By Richard C. Irvin, Aurora mayor I am a black man. I am a father. I am a son; a brother; an uncle. I am a human being who cares for the plight of my fellow man. And I’m hurt and outraged over the senseless and brutal killing of George
Australia. Germany. New Zealand. South Korea. Sweden. Taiwan. These are some of the countries which have gained a handle on the COVID-19 pandemic and are cautiously re-opening businesses, recreational venues, and government buildings. How did they do it? Their leaders recognized the seriousness of the virus early on and took
By John W. Whitehead Don’t pity this year’s crop of graduates because this COVID-19 pandemic caused them to miss out on the antics of their senior year and the pomp and circumstance of graduation. Pity them because they have spent their entire lives in a state of emergency. They were
Out of an abundance of caution, the city government of Naperville closed the City Hall to employees and the public at noon Monday, June 1 and suggests downtown Naperville businesses close, as well, due to multiple, unconfirmed reports of protests planned throughout the western suburbs. Residents are advised to avoid
Oswego Village Hall, the Oswego Police Department Headquarters, and the Oswego Public Works facility will reopen to the public Monday, June 1, for their regular hours of operation. Most Village business can be conducted online or by phone, and residents and businesses are still encouraged to avoid an in-person trip
By Rebecca Anzel Governor JB Pritzker announced Friday, the first day Illinois’ economy operated under more relaxed restrictions, his stay-at-home order is replaced by one reflective of “our new, more open reality.” Small businesses statewide opened their doors to customers, with capacity limitations. Restaurants and bars served socially-distanced diners outside,
By Ben Orner For the first time since Illinois had its first reported case of COVID-19 in January, the State saw fewer deaths in a week than in the previous week. Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, said Tuesday that 780 individuals died from the
By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council and Montgomery Village Board focused on measures to help businesses struggling with the pandemic, Tuesday. Through their online meetings, they both focused on allowing restaurants to temporarily create or expand outdoor dining areas as the State goes to Phase 3 in the governor’s
Assistant State House minority leader Keith Wheeler, R-Oswego, issued the following statement Sunday, May 24 after the General Assembly voted to approve a State budget for FY 2021: “While there was an encouraging degree of bipartisan cooperation during the special session when it came to ensuring funding for our hospitals
By Judd Lofchie During the COVID-19, our school districts and government have stepped up! The Federal government increased the reimbursement rate to help schools keep feeding students. The West Aurora School District has distributed more than 308,000 meals since the outbreak started. They distribute breakfast and lunches Monday through Friday
Following passage of a State budget that prioritizes health care and essential services, State representatives Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, issued the following statement Saturday: “First and foremost, I would like to acknowledge all of our frontline workers during this difficult time and thank all the nurses, doctors and first responders for
The Naperville Park District is taking a proactive stance to keep our program participants and facility guests healthy and safe during the COVID-19 crisis. We are currently operating and will continue to operate within the applicable parameters of the governor’s executive order so that we can fulfill our mission to
Because I live in a small out-of-the way county in the State that has had one reported case of COVID-19, a second recently rumored, I have been hesitant to write about The Big Disruption in our lives. I am obviously not sharing the valiant struggles of nurses and their associates,
By John W. Whitehead No one is safe. No one is immune. No one gets spared the anguish, fear, and heartache of living under the shadow of an authoritarian police state. That’s the message being broadcast 24/7 with every new piece of government propaganda, every new law that criminalizes otherwise
May 16, 2020Dear editor; I am distressed with the Oswego Village Board under mayor Troy Parlier. How can four out of six Board members decide to go ahead and vote for a $750,000 frivolous amphitheater? This is one of the most uncertain periods in modern history. Every part of people’s
By David E. Mertz, P. E. The country is facing the crisis of this generation, two if you consider climate change. Three months ago decisive action was needed to blunt the impact of COVID-19. In years past, timely decisions would have been made by the president based on the best
By Jason Crane The North Aurora Village Board Monday officially canceled the Village’s July 3 Independence Day Fireworks and the North Aurora Days in August due to COVID-19 concerns. The Board approved a contract with R.C. Wegman for construction management and bids for the items of demolition, painting, electrical, structural
By John W. Whitehead No one is safe. No one is immune. No one gets spared the anguish, fear, and heartache of living under the shadow of an authoritarian police state. That’s the message being broadcast 24/7 with every new piece of government propaganda, every new law that criminalizes otherwise
By Jerry Nowicki Governor JB Pritzker said Tuesday he would consider withholding federal pass-through funds to counties ignoring his stay-at-home order and said it “would be best” for the General Assembly to meet before the end of May to take up key State business. When asked in his daily COVID-19
By Rebecca Anzel The Illinois department tasked with the State’s economic development launched a program Tuesday providing grant funding to community governments for capital projects. Its aim, said Michael Negron, assistant director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), is to return skilled laborers to work on road
