Quilters Dozen donates to PrairieFest
As their main annual fundraiser, the Quilters Dozen Quilting Club of Oswego raffles off a unique, hand-quilted creation during each year’s PrairieFest, Oswego’s popular community celebration.
Illinois Contract for American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council (AFSCME) 31
By Peter Hancock Governor JB Pritzker and the State’s largest public employee union announced Tuesday, July 25 that they have agreed on a new contract that will provide a nearly 18% pay raise over four years, including a four percent raise this year. The contract expands parental leave to 12
Illinois receives $12-Million grant for new buses
Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) announced Monday, June 26 Illinois has received a $12,299,377 grant from the Biden-Harris Administration’s infrastructure law to put new American-built buses on the road and improve transit service in their community. The grants, administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration, were made possible
Aurora Noon Lions Club donates to Diabetes Club of Fox Valley and East Aurora’s NJROTC program
Aurora Noon Lions Club recently awarded grants totaling $1,500 to two worthy community groups. At the Club’s June 15 meeting, Noon Lions president Susan Koepke presented ceremonial checks to Diabetes Club of Fox Valley and East Aurora High School’s Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps unit. Koepke said, “The Aurora
Aurora Kiwanis presents check to Rotary Club of Aurora
Aurora Kiwanis president, Dr. Brian Tonner, presents a $100 check to Mary Dougherty, president Rotary Club of Aurora, in celebration of Rotary’s 100th anniversary at the Kiwanis June 6, meeting.
Relay for life in Burr Ridge raises cash to fight cancer
In a 15th annual relay for life, 350 students at Pleasantdale Middle School in Burr Ridge raised $11,000 for the American Cancer Society. Jennifer Lauermann, Pleasantdale science teacher and event founder and coordinator, announced relay results at a Friday, June 2 rally culminating the fundraiser at Pleasantdale Park District’s Walker
Budget vote brings Illinois General Assembly’s 2023 spring session to a close
House gives final OK to $50.6 billion spending plan By Peter Hancock Capitol News Illinois The 2023 spring legislative session came to an end in the early hours of Saturday morning after the Illinois House gave its approval to a $50.6 billion spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year that
Third graders at McCleery Elementary raise almost $2,500 for Habitat for Humanity
Yorkville resident Ron Kelso, right, explains Habitat for Humanity to third graders at McCleery Elementary School in West Aurora School District 129 May 10.
Grow Your Business Scholarship available in Batavia
The Batavia Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce that for the second year, a scholarship program for selected small businesses who are members in good standing with the Batavia Chamber is available. A fund called the Grow Your Business Scholarship was established last year. The recipients of last year’s
Commentary: Build Illinois Homes State Tax Credit bill helpful
By State rep. Dagmara Avelar and State rep. Ryan Spain All around Illinois, the signs of change are apparent. The COVID-19 pandemic changed our economy, how we live and work, and how working-class and lower-income families struggle day to day. We come together to argue for a solution to one
Dale’s Kids in Iowa received surprise gifts for college
Dale Schroeder was a simple, humble, man from Iowa, who ended up changing the lives of 33 individuals forever. Schroeder worked as a carpenter at the same company for 67 years. He grew up poor and had no wife or children of his own. Caitlin O’Kane of CBS wrote the
Aurora Area Retired Teachers Association donates to Salvation Army Aurora
Aurora Area Retired Teachers Association donated $500 to Salvation Army Aurora Corps recently.
State Universities end strikes
By Andrew Adams Faculty at Governors State University ended a strike Monday, April 17 after being on the picket line for five days. Governors State was one of three Illinois universities which saw a faculty strike in the past week and the last to see their strike end. Union members
Senator Durbin visits Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry, brings funding
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) visited Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry in Aurora Thursday, April 6 to discuss the $700,000 in federal funding he secured through congressionally-directed spending in the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Omnibus appropriations bill for their new Mobile Meals Program that will expand their services to food-insecure
Disaster proclamation in DuPage
DuPage County Board chair person, Deborah Conroy, issued a disaster proclamation for DuPage County on Monday, April 3 in response to damage that occurred during a tornado in Addison Friday, March 31. “Issuing a disaster declaration allows County residents impacted by the storm to seek any State or federal resources
Gas utility price hikes in dispute
By Andrew Adams Consumer advocates, environmentalists and Chicago residents gathered in front of the Chicago offices of Peoples Gas this week to call on the Illinois Commerce Commission to reject a proposed rate increase from the gas utility. Several advocacy groups, including the Citizens Utility Board, Blacks in Green and
City of Aurora government continues financial support of small businesses, grants
The City of Aurora government continues its efforts to financially support small businesses in the community as they still are on the path to full recovery from the pandemic. A second round of grant funding is now open, with $700,000 available in the City’s Finish Line Grant and Re-Start Retention
Funding for Aurora youth, family programs
After 70 years of educating youth, the preschool of Wesley United Methodist Church in Aurora closed in March 2022. The school’s legacy will continue to be felt with grants totaling $2,000 to help church staffers provide youth and family programs. Sunday, March 26, Paula Loague, preschool board president, presented $1,000
Higher education commitment in Illinois: JB
By Nika Schoonover On his latest marketing tour to sell his State budget plan, governor JB Pritzker visited a community college in Normal Tuesday, March 14 to highlight his proposed investments in higher education. “With an additional $100 million directed to the (Monetary Award Program) grant program, a student can
Illinois Bond rating elevated to ‘A’
By Peter Hancock Moody’s Investors Service announced Tuesday, March 14 that it has upgraded Illinois’ bond rating to A3, up from Baa1, marking the eighth credit upgrade the State has received in less than two years. Moody’s is now the second major rating agency to put Illinois in the ‘A’