State representative Matt Hanson, D-Montgomery, and State senator Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, recently visited the site of a new water tower in North Aurora, a project they worked to include within the state’s 2026 budget to ensure accessible drinking water for residents and businesses. “The weather may be dreary, but the
The City of Aurora’s Water Production Division has discovered elevated levels of lead in drinking water in some homes. Between July 2025 and December 2025, the City of Aurora’s Water Production Division collected 100 samples of water and analyzed them for lead. More than 10% of the samples collected exceeded
By Maggie DoughertyCapitol News Illinoismdougherty@capitolnewsillinois.com Editor’s note: A correction was made to the current return on equity approved by the ICC in 2023 was supposed to be 9.38%, not 5.5%. Peoples Gas on Monday filed a $202.3 million rate hike request with the Illinois Commerce Commission, sparking public outcry and
By Jerry NowickiCapitol News Illinoisjnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois’ electric grids may soon face power shortages and further price increases as fossil fuel plants go offline and data centers fueling the rise of artificial intelligence demand ever-increasing amounts of power. That’s the conclusion of a new report by three state agencies that foreshadows
By Ben SzalinskiCapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois lawmakers approved new funding for public transportation agencies without large statewide tax increases previously proposed. Instead, the measure would be fueled by revenue sources that currently feed the state’s Road Fund and an increased sales tax targeted to the Chicago area. The bill frustrated
Time was, you could catch the interurban trolley at Main and Washington streets in downtown Oswego and, with inexpensive transfers, ride electric lines all the way east to the Atlantic Coast and all the way west to the Mississippi River. That era will be brought to life once again at
If you haven’t been to Aurora Public Library District’s Eola Road Branch in a while, there’s a lot going on! So much has happened since we first shared our renovation plans with the community summer of 2024. Thanks to all the work that’s been done, we are happy to announce
By Andrew AdamsCapitol News Illinoisaadams@capitolnewsillinois.com President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans earlier this month curtailed federal tax incentives for the solar energy industry and for individuals and companies that purchase solar panels. The move sent shockwaves through the industry nationwide, pulling key incentives for major projects and residential rooftop solar
Famous Oswego house, “The Pillars,” is being torn down after it caught on fire more than one year ago.
With the winter heating season kicking off, Illinois State representative Jed Davis condemned the staggering impracticality of replacing the state’s coal-fired power plants with “clean” energy by 2045, calling the current law “an alarming disregard for Illinois’ energy costs and land-use realities.” Using solar farms as an example of “clean”
By Andrew AdamsCapitol News Illinoisaadams@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois utilities are set to invest more than a billion dollars into upgrading the state’s electric distribution grid, resulting in higher rates for customers around the state. The Illinois Commerce Commission on Thursday approved scaled-back plans submitted by Commonwealth Edison and Ameren Illinois, the electric
By Andrew AdamsCapitol News Illinoisaadams@capitolnewsillinois.com With nearly half a million dollars of state funding, a new electric vehicle charging station opened in Joliet on Monday. It is the first of hundreds of charging stations set to be installed over the next 18 months as part of a state-funded grant program.
The DuPage Water Commission (DWC) announced Monday, Oct. 21, they have signed contracts to provide Lake Michigan drinking water to the Kendall County communities of Montgomery, Oswego, and Yorkville (WaterLink project). The communities are currently served with water from the Ironton-Galesville aquifer, which will be insufficient to provide water for
The Illinois Department of Transportation announced recently the launch of Next Move Illinois, a new statewide public transportation plan to create a strategic vision, recommend policy, make performance updates and identify specific initiatives. The last public transportation plan for Illinois was completed in 2018. “Next Move Illinois is dedicated to
Mayor of Aurora, Richard Irvin, center, Tuesday leaves a nearly-finished unit in 1449 Senior Estates, a senior-citizen development on Aurora’s West Side.
By Andrew Adams State regulators are once again considering massive electric utility spending plans that would affect the state’s climate goals – and 5.4 million electric customers’ monthly bills – after rejecting previous versions late last year. The Illinois Commerce Commission forced the State’s two major electric utilities, Commonwealth Edison
By Andrew Adams Boston-based Nexamp, a major player in the solar energy industry, is joining the growing list of renewable technology companies that have expanded to, or relocated to Illinois in recent months. Monday, Jan. 22 Nexamp announced its intention to spend $2 billion in Illinois, including building a second
By Jason Crane U.S. Congressman Bill Foster presented a Million Dollar check to the city of Aurora government for funding to help alleviate traffic congestion at the intersection of Montgomery Road and Hill Avenue at the Tuesday, Jan. 23 City Council meeting. City government of Aurora documents show the funds
For those who frequently navigate the Illinois Tollway, using an I-PASS is convenient and cost-effective. This electronic toll collection system promises faster travel, lower costs, and convenience for Tollway users. But, due to the up-front cost and ongoing financial responsibility, some drivers aren’t able to keep their I-PASS account in
Batavia Park District recently was awarded a grant from an Illinois Department of Natural Resources program that will help provide funds for renovations of the future Patrick J. Callahan Community Center building at 150 Houston Street in downtown Batavia. The IDNR Park and Recreational Facility Construction Act (PARC) grant program
