Author: Fox Valley Magazine

Rhythm on the Riverfront in North Aurora returns on Thursday, July 22 with the innovative music of New Vintage Springs. Presented by the North Aurora River District Alliance and the Village of North Aurora, Rhythm on the Riverfront is a BYOB event, so pack your cooler, folding chairs and bug spray and meet up at the park! NVS is a contemporary string quartet known for its distinctive blend of jazz, classic rock, pop & alternative instrumental covers with a Classical touch. NVS presents the songs you love like you’ve never heard them before – modern takes on timeless classics. The…

 (Capitol News Illinois file photo by Jerry Nowicki) By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker announced Monday he will seek a second term, joined once again by Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton as a running mate. In a three-minute kickoff video ending with the tagline “strong leadership in tough times,” the governor emphasized his response to the COVID-19 pandemic and contrasted himself to former U.S. President Donald Trump, with whom Pritzker frequently sparred during the height of the pandemic. “When I ran for governor four years ago, I could not have imagined that I would end up leading…

Saturday evening, July 24, Billy Bricks AfterDark and Darrick J. will be welcoming the funniest comics from all over Chicago and the Midwest. Get ready for an epic evening of gut-busting laughter.  Some of the funniest stand-up comics from Chicago and the Midwest will be performing at Billy Bricks Pizza St. Charles. On the menu: Chris Trani Chris Trani is a regular at The House of Blues, The Comedy Bar, Laugh Factory, & Zanies. Chris is a fantastic Chicago comedian who integrates all forms of comedy into his act: stand-up, storytelling, crowd work, one-liners; and if need be, he can…

34-year-old Fabian J. Torres has agreed to a sentence of 38 years of imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections in exchange for a guilty plea to the offenses of aggravated criminal sexual assault, Class X felony, and attempted murder, Class X felony, 2 counts. Kane County Judge David P. Kliment accepted the plea. Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Bill Engerman stated in court that on April 8, 2019, Torres entered a home in the 900 block of Saratoga Drive, Sleepy Hollow, Ill., without permission and carrying two knives. He then sexually assaulted the female victim who lived in the…

Naperville 911 issued a Dive Box Alarm Monday morning to save a submerged driver. At 6:44 a.m., Naperville’s Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) received a 911 call for the report of a vehicle in the water at Brookdale Road and Bond Street. A Dive Box Alarm assignment, which comprised Naperville Fire Department Dive Team, two Medics, two Engines, one Squad, one Ladder Truck, Battalion 1 and Battalion 2, was dispatched to the reported address. The first fire unit arrived on the scene within minutes and reported a vehicle in the water. The responding fire crews immediately donned their Personal Protective…

The St. Charles Park District’s “Concert in the Park” has returned this summer, every Thursday at 7pm in Lincoln Park downtown St. Charles. Thursday, July 22, showcases the “sunny sounds” of Mr. Myers Band. Mr. Myers plays “Caribbean Rock”- a mixture of reggae, soca/calypso, beach music, and their own originals. In the band’s 37 year history they have played thousands of shows ranging from clubs to festivals and park districts to corporate and private events. The magic of Mr. Myers’ tropical sound comes from leader/founder Todd Donnelly’s steel drums and percussion. Their unique musical mix includes rock, jazz, latin and…

Aurora’s Wednesdays at the Plaza will present the Chris Greene Quartet from 7-9pm. Saxophonist and composer Chris Greene was born in Evanston, IL. He spent his formative years in the award-winning Evanston High School Wind and Jazz Ensembles. As a teenager he began to play professionally with many local pop/rock and jazz bands. Greene eventually went to Bloomington, IN to attend the prestigious Indiana University Jazz Studies program and studied with renowned professor and cellist David Baker. Greene returned to Chicago in 1994 and has since collaborated with some of the nation’s most creative and versatile musicians. As…

On Wednesday, July 21, the Geneva Concert in the Park series will present The Millennials. A Millennials show consists of your favorite classic rock hits, todays hottest songs, and occasionally their own songs produced and published by Prince’s former Producer and Drummer. The Millennials have been around since 2015 when they were all just High School students who wanted to play as much as possible. Over the years this band has grown into a full-time act, playing all over the ChicagoLand area. From Buckingham Fountain to Wrigley field and hundreds of other shows, they put on a high energy and…

The City of Elgin’s Concert in the Park series will present Saturday June Band this Tuesday, July 13, at 7:00 at the Wing Park band shell in Elgin. Have you ever had one of those nights where you’re sitting with your friends, drink in hand, deep in conversation … and suddenly your focus is completely pulled toward the music you hear… sometimes it’s the familiarity of the tunes or the sudden connection you have to lyrics you’re hearing for the first time. But behind it all is sheer passion from the musicians doing what they love. Crawford’s Daughter provides you…

(Photo Credit: IDES) By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Since economic shutdowns began and COVID-19 death counts started to rise in March 2020, national unemployment rates have hovered at historically high numbers, stressing state unemployment systems left dealing with an unprecedented number of claims. In Illinois, that’s led to a deficit in the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund – or the pool of money used to sustain the social safety net – that could rise to $5 billion. Stakeholders from both political parties, as well as business and labor groups, are now warning of “crippling” tax increases on businesses…