By Jerry NowickiCapitol News Illinoisjnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com With Illinois lawmakers scheduled to return to legislative session in less than a month, a recent government fiscal forecast provides an overview of the budgeting landscape that awaits them. The bottom line from the five-year forecast from the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget: The
By Jason Crane With concern about migrants who were recently transported to the City without prior arrangements, the Aurora City Council convened Friday, Dec. 22, at noon, for a special City Council meeting to consider amending an Ordinance to define and prohibit unscheduled bus stops of individuals who are transported
With a major election coming up, it’s time to re-visit some necessary changes in the way we govern ourselves. Some of the following suggestions are not new, but they are nevertheless still worth considering. And some will require a constitutional amendment to bring them into being (“Y” = Yes, “N”
Illinois State representative Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) received an award at the American Civil Liberties Union annual Legislator Awards, held at the ACLU’s Illinois headquarters in Chicago December 14. The award recognizes representative Kifowit’s unwavering commitment to civil liberties, specifically her sponsorship and advocacy of SB 2323 in 2021, which ended
Naperville Park District is a partner with the DuPage County Stormwater Management Department to complete three projects that will improve the area’s capacity to manage stormwater, improve water quality in the DuPage River and enhance the shoreline environment. The three projects are: pond shoreline restoration at Brighton Ridge Park, 775
At its December 14, meeting, the Naperville Park District Board of Park Commissioners voted to adopt the 2024 Budget and Appropriation Ordinance. Prior to the meeting, the draft budget was posted on the District’s website for a 30-day public review period. Additionally, the District released the 2024 Budget Snapshot, a
In a demonstration for human rights, 40 activists protested outside congressman Bill Foster’s holiday breakfast fundraiser located at the Office of Giamanco Law Partners, Ltd., in order to escalate their demand that Rep. Foster call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The grassroots activists included Democratic Precinct Committeepeople, members of
By John & Nisha Whitehead The Christmas story of a baby born in a manger is a familiar one. The Roman Empire, a police state in its own right, had ordered that a census be conducted. Joseph and his pregnant wife, Mary, traveled to the little town of Bethlehem so
Even a rainy, grey weekend couldn’t put a damper on the energy and defeat the purpose of a special street dedication in Aurora. Mayor of Aurora, Richard Irvin was joined by Aurora City Council members to unveil the new street name for Purpose City Church in Aurora. Appropriately named ‘Purpose
Key message: Child’s word is sufficient evidence of abuse Two employees of the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office recently traveled to the South American country of Bolivia to address hundreds of judges, prosecutors and medical and mental health officials at a national conference on sexual violence against children. Assistant State’s
The Village of Oswego has confirmed that Wolfs Crossing from Harvey Road to Devoe Drive will reopen to traffic December 29 at noon. The is the first segment of a multi-year plan to improve Wolfs Crossing by expanding the roadway to a modern, four-lane road to help ease traffic congestion,
With concern about migrants who are transported to the City without prior arrangements, the Aurora City Council plans to convene Friday, Dec. 22, at noon, for a special City Council meeting to consider amending an Ordinance to define and prohibit unscheduled bus stops of individuals who are transported to the
By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com The U.S. Supreme Court issued two orders recently in turning down requests to block enforcement of Illinois’ assault weapons ban while challenges to the law are still being heard in lower courts. Lastweek Justice Amy Coney Barrett turned down a request from Republican Party State
By Andrew AdamsCapitol News Illinoisaadams@capitolnewsillinois.com The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is advising Illinoisans to take precautions to avoid spreading respiratory illnesses because cases around the State and Country are on the rise. IDPH issued a health alert last week to hospitals, long-term care facilities and local health departments
By Jason Crane Mayor of Aurora, Richard Irvin, and members of the Aurora City Council, honored Jim Pilmer at the Aurora City Council Committee of the Whole meeting, Tuesday, Dec. 19. Executive director of the Fox Valley Park District, Jim Pilmer is retiring after eight years. Mayor Irvin read a
State representative Matt Hanson, D-Montgomery, is lauding the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ recent multi-million dollar investment in Kane County’s Batavia Parks District. “I am extremely grateful for grant programs like these which support our local parks and community spaces,” Hanson said. “IDNR’s $2.8 million investment in Batavia parks will
By John & Nisha Whitehead Once a dictator, always a dictator. Power-hungry, lawless, and steadfast in its pursuit of authoritarian powers, the government does not voluntarily relinquish those powers once it acquires, uses and inevitably abuses them. Likewise, any presidential candidate who promises to be a dictator on day one,
After 30 years of service, Aurora’s trailblazing and history-making Black female police leader retired Friday, Dec. 15. In front of a packed room of early risers, Commander Liz Robinson-Chan gave her final roll call at 6:30 a.m.. Aurora Police Chief Keith Cross led the ceremony for his colleague and friend,
By Jerry Nowicki & Andrew Adams Governor JB Pritzker on Friday signed into law a measure that will allow for the limited development of new nuclear power generation technology in the state. The measure, House Bill 2473, does not allow new large-scale power generation facilities like the six plants that
By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council listened to more than a dozen speakers at a public hearing for the proposed Farnsworth Bilter TIF (tax increment financing) District, Tuesday, Dec. 12. Individuals spoke both for and against the District. City government of Aurora documents show as part of the agreement,
