Ribbon-cutting for Toys ‘n Hobbies 4 All in Batavia
The Batavia Chamber of Commerce was delighted to celebrate the opening of Batavia Chamber member Toys ‘n Hobbies 4 All with a Ribbon Cutting ceremony Thursday, Sept. 2.
Endless war clearly not in best interest of the U.S.
By John W. Whitehead & Nisha Whitehead It’s time to bring all our troops home. Bring them home from Somalia, Iraq and Syria. Bring them home from Germany, South Korea, and Japan. Bring them home from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Oman. Bring them home from Niger, Chad, and Mali. Bring
Mask mandate returns to Illinois
By Jerry Nowicki The statewide mask mandate indoors is back, and educators and health care professionals will be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, governor JB Pritzker announced last week amid an ongoing surge in the pandemic that first arrived in Illinois in March 2020. Beginning Monday this week, indviduals
Reader’s Voice: Innovative carbon tax best solution
August 29, 2021Dear editor; Our national (and global) climate crisis is becoming more visible now. Some Republican leaders in Congress are shifting their posture amid deadly heat waves, devastating drought and ferocious wildfires that have bludgeoned their districts. Even senator Rick Scott (R) of Florida said he wants to address
Applications available to continue State unemployment benefits
By Jerry Nowicki As federal unemployment benefits created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are set to expire next week, Illinois continues to see high unemployment rates, although things have improved from one year ago. Select Illinois Department of Employment Security offices, meanwhile, have opened for appointment-only in-person services for
On Barack Obama at Martha’s Vineyard to raise funds
Barack Obama recently purchased a $12 million Summer place on Martha’s Vineyard and planned to be host to 600 “swells” there for his 60th birthday, until the resurgent pandemic shrunk his party numbers. I thought to myself: Come on, Barack, do you really need an over-the-top mansion on an island
Steve Andersson, Mike Fortner, among 11 award recipients
By Jim Edgar and John Shaw Less than five years ago, Illinois was moving aggressively in the wrong direction, careening toward the fiscal precipice, lurching toward junk bond status. A brutal and counterproductive two-year budget stalemate had tarnished Illinois’ reputation, damaged our schools, battered our credit rating, and led to
Census 2020: Selected communities of 5,000 and more population
Population Census 2020 DuPage County2020 = 932,8772010 = 916,924• Bartlett2020 = 41,1052010 = 41,208• Downers Grove2020 = 50,2472010 = 47,833• Elmhurst2020 = 45,7862010 = 44,121• Hinsdale2020 = 17,3952010 = 16,816• Glendale Heights2020 = 33,1762010 = 34,208• Glen Ellyn2020 = 28,8462010 = 27,450• Lisle2020 = 24,2232010 = 22,390• Lombard2020 = 44,4762010
State lawmakers preparing new maps; Kendall growth great
By Peter Hancock Voting rights advocates and minority community members urged Illinois lawmakers Thursday, Aug. 26 to take more time in redrawing legislative district maps so the general public can have more time to study whatever new maps will be proposed. “We’re joining other advocates today in asking for more
Matching grant will assist Sugar Grove Public Library
The Sugar Grove Public Library has been awarded a matching grant valued at $85,692 to conduct a renovation to the front area of the Library formerly knows as the Café. The Aurora-based architecture firm, Cordogan and Clark, is a partner with the Sugar Grove Library to develop the project and
Aurora celebrates Old Second National Bank’s 150th Anniversary
Old Second National Bank’s senior vice president Sylvia Balogh, holds scissors, left, and Old Second employees are joined by Aurora mayor Richard C. Irvin and city government officials to celebrate the Bank’s 150th Anniversary.
Students should be treated as citizens, not as prisoners
By John W. Whitehead & Nisha Whitehead Once upon a time in the United States, parents breathed a sigh of relief when their kids went back to school after a Summer’s hiatus, content in the knowledge that for a good portion of the day their kids would be gainfully occupied,
Aurora City Council: Civilian Review Board (CRB) to native plants along Fox River
By Jason Crane At the Aurora city government City Council meeting Tuesday, Council members listened to an update on the Civilian Review Board (CRB). Communications director for the city of Aurora government, Clayton Muhammad, said the nine- member Board was sworn in Thursday, Aug. 19 and will review complaints against
No glory in war; just stimulates our darker impulse
From the vault – 22 September 2011 (revised): A nation at war, defending itself against a cruel enemy. Hundreds and thousands of brave soldiers, laying down their lives to protect their country. Millions on the home front, remembering them, honoring their sacrifices, and erecting monuments to their glory. This is
State needs include that Edgar Fellows do step up
Former Illinois governor Jim Edgar has created a program that might be the last great hope for struggling Illinois, yet his Edgar Fellows Program has yet to prove its potential. I propose that the nearly 400 Fellows take on the task, never before tried, of building a strong future for
State mask mandate of schools draws mixed reactions
By Peter Hancock A capacity crowd packed into the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)) room Wednesday, Aug. 18 and many more stood outside the building in Springfield to protest the State’s new indoor mask mandate in all public and nonpublic schools. “I’m so tired of hearing how resilient our
Back to Business Grants good
In an effort to further support the local economy, State representative Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, encourages small and local businesses to apply for the Back to Business Grant Program, which has been set up to support the continued recovery of Illinois businesses. The application process formally opened August 18 for businesses
Oswego dream realized: Venue 1012 opens
In just two short years, and with a lot of collaboration from community partners, a dream has become reality along Oswego’s Orchard Road corridor. The new Venue 1012, 1012 Station Drive, is officially open, as of last week, and will provide a home for entertainment and the performing arts in
Oswego seeks artists for downtown mural
The Village of Oswego is seeking artists to submit proposals for a new mural in downtown Oswego. The mural is a project of Oswego’s Cultural Arts Commission in its mission to build a vibrant permanent public art collection in Oswego. It’s planned for the building at 59 Main Street, home
Expectant moms find parking aid
Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation into law August 20 introduced and passed by assistant House minority leader representative Keith Wheeler, R-Oswego, which allows expectant mothers in their third trimester to obtain a free placard for their vehicle valid for 90 days permitting them to park in handicap designated spots throughout