Author: Fox Valley Magazine

(Photo Credits: Thomas King) Imagine being stuck in a time loop, waking up and realizing you’re living the same day over and over and over and over again. Set your alarm to see Groundhog Day: The Musical, based on the classic Bill Murray film comedy, because the forecast calls for Paramount Artistic Director Jim Corti to direct another signature blockbuster musical comedy. Meet cynical TV weatherman Phil Connors, who is living a never-ending nightmare stuck in a small town whose biggest claim to fame is meteorologist groundhog Punxsutawney Phil. What sounds like an outlandish fantasy becomes an insightful look at…

Supply-chain issues. Living wage and labor shortages. Food inflation. And, of course, COVID. The world of the restauranteur has been turned upside down since the advent of COVID roughly two years ago. Shutdowns, occupancy limitations, and the challenges created by the larger economic environment have formed a perfect storm wherein the independent restaurant is gasping for air. In Chicago, literally hundreds of restaurants have either shut down permanently or until the COVID pandemic has simmered down. Among these are Tiffany-level establishments like Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Lawry’s, Trattoria 10, Rainforest Cafe, just to name a few. The carnage is real. Enter…

An 18 year-old male from Elgin has been charged with 7 different felony crimes in relation to his involvement in an early morning shooting in Elgin this past Sunday. The man, who prosecutors allege shot his 9mm handgun multiple times during a fight involving himself, four of his companions and the victim, was charged with the following felonies: Aggravated battery with a firearm, Class X felonyArmed violence, Class X felonyAggravated discharge of a firearm, Class 1 felonyReckless discharge of a firearm, Class 4 felony, 2 countsAggravated unlawful use of a weapon, Class 4 felonyUnlawful use of a firearm without Firearm…

The Aurora Police Department is looking for assistance locating 16 year-old Jaime Perez who is missing from Aurora’s east side. Jaime was last seen around 6:00 P.M. wearing a blue hoody and black leggings. Anyone with information is asked to contact Aurora Police Investigations at 630-256-5500.

A fire broke out at Rehm Electric Shop in downtown St. Charles yesterday evening, prompting a large response from the St. Charles Fire Department. Rehm is located in the heart of the downtown area at 215 West Main. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time, but Main Street was closed down to allow for fire department assets and personnel in fighting it and ensuring it didn’t spread to adjacent buildings. Photos from social media give a sense of the scope of the response from St. Charles FD: This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

A lot is going on at St. Charles’ Hotel Baker these days. First it was the announcement of the Netflix production of The Killer, starring Award-winning actor Michael Fasbender (of X-Men fame) and Oscar-winner Tilda Swinton (Chronicles of Narnia), coming to film at the hotel in March. Next, the hotel’s sophisticated ROX City Grille is launching a new menu beginning next week, featuring an emphasis on small plate items and greater variety. Finally, this weekend the venerable landmark will be hosting its annual Wedding Showcase, an open house event designed to highlight not only the hotel as an ideal wedding venue but…

On the morning of April 9, 2020, Frank Ryan sure seemed to be up to something nefarious. Ryan, from tiny Waterman, Illinois, due west of Aurora, was out on $20,000 bond at the time for a January 2020 charge of attempted murder, and had been ordered to surrender any guns in his possession, as well as his Firearm Owners Identification, which the Illinois State Police subsequently revoked. On this morning, though, Ryan was driving a pickup truck with a loaded shotgun, and had arrived at a location within sight of, and in close proximity to, the home of the intended…

(Photo courtesy of Bluestream.com) Police chiefs, sheriffs warn lawmakers about impact of SAFE-T Act By PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Police chiefs and sheriffs told a panel of state lawmakers Friday that they need more resources and support from the public and the General Assembly to combat a rising rate of violent crime in Illinois. Some said they don’t feel they are getting that now, especially in light of recently-enacted criminal justice reforms. “There are members in policing that believe that the community should have nothing to say about what we do in our profession,” Hazel Crest Police Chief…

Two men were injured in a shooting incident early this morning in Elgin. One of the men was taken to an area hospital, and his condition is currently unknown. The other man did not require medical treatment. At 4:12 a.m. this morning, Elgin police officers responded to the shooting in the 1300 block of Eagle Road, and located the two subjects. Preliminary information received is that this incident appears to be isolated with no threat to the community. Detectives from the Major Investigations Division are actively investigating the case and updates will be provided as they become available. If you…