Author: Fox Valley Magazine

Step back into the vibrant era of the ’90s and 2000s hip-hop as Chicago gears up for Tacos and Tequila Festival, presented by the Kane County Cougars and Social House Entertainment. This throwback hip-hop festival has enjoyed success in Kansas City, Dallas Fort Worth, Milwaukee, Sioux Falls, Winnipeg, and now it’s Chicago’s turn to witness the inaugural event on Saturday, September 21st, at Northwestern Medicine Field, home of the Kane County Cougars, from 3pm – 11pm. This exhilarating event will showcase live performances from world renowned hip-hop artists such as T.I, Lil Jon, Fat Joe, Chingy, Ying Yang Twins, Petey…

An 82-year-old Oswego man has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a 6-year-old girl who was also a family member. Kendall County State’s Attorney Eric Weis announced that Allen A. Taft was convicted of three separate counts of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of Child and one count of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse following a jury trial held this week. The jury deliberated for just over one hour before returning guilty verdicts on all charges. Charges against Taft were filed after an investigation began in April of 2022, when the victim, a family member of Taft, disclosed to law enforcement investigators…

Elgin’s annual End of Summer Bash ushered out the old – summer, that is – and welcomed in the new in the form of some incredible drone presentations. Our intrepid publisher, Kevin Ketchum, was there to capture some of the sights and sounds of this great event. (Photo/video credits Kevin Ketchum)

Kanecountyconnect.com The Kane County Sheriff’s Office has proposed a transitional housing program in Aurora to help citizens returning from prison, reintegrate into society and reduce repeat offenses. Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain points to the lack of transitional housing as a major obstacle to preventing recidivism. The program, which is proposed for a building located at 131 W. Illinois Ave., aims to lower the jail population and save taxpayer dollars by providing housing for individuals leaving the Kane County Jail or Illinois Department of Corrections. The facility would offer up to six months of support in one of the building’s four…

Classic Car enthusiasts will gather together again this year in Geneva to view a beautiful collection of antique, classic and modern automobiles during the annual Concours d’Elegance. Participants from all over the country will display their prized automobiles on Third Street, the heart of Geneva’s charming downtown shopping district lined with shops, restaurants, parks and historical buildings. Some will be awarded one of the coveted “Benz” Trophies. The event is open to the public at no cost, making this a family event with something for everyone to enjoy. This is rare opportunity to view this fantastic collection of award-winning, unique and rare…

Chicago-based soul band The Heavy Sounds will perform a Tribute to Al Green at The Venue in Aurora on Saturday, August 24, at 8pm. Doors open at 7 p.m. Al Green, the Memphis Soul man, was a true purveyor of Soul music all through the 1970’s with hit singles such as “Take Me to the River”, “Tired of Being Alone”, “Love and Happiness”, “I’m Still in Love With You”, “Look What You Done For Me”, “Here I Am” and his signature song “Let’s Stay Together”. The Heavy Sounds have been a mainstay on the Chicago Soul scene since 2017. Joining…

Maybe criminals really are just stupid. It’s hard to draw any other conclusion from the fact that the parking lot at Naperville’s Topgolf is clearly ground zero for Naperville police on the hunt for bad guys, and yet criminals (in this case, an alleged criminal) seem drawn to it like moths to a flame. In the 23rd arrest made in that parking lot since August 2023, Naperville police took a 36-year-old Dolton man into custody early Sunday morning after allegedly finding him with a weapon and open containers of alcohol on the front console of his car. According to police,…

The West Chicago Food Festival returns to downtown West Chicago on Saturday, August 24, from 4pm to 8pm, promising a diverse lineup of culinary delights and entertainment that caters to all tastes. “Bringing a mix of lively music, delicious foods, and engaging family activities is always a top priority for this festival,” noted Nicolette Stefan, Special Events Coordinator for the City of West Chicago. “We hope everyone enjoys the event’s returning favorites and some of the exciting new additions we’ll have this year.” The festivities commence at 4pm at the main stage along Galena Street with a performance by Alika…

Kanecountyconnects.com Family, friends, and well-wishers gathered recently at the Kane County Judicial Center to bid farewell to former Chief Judge Clint Hull.     Hull retired after a 30-plus-year career as a prosecutor, judge, and, most recently, Chief Judge of the 16th Judicial Circuit in Kane County, where he served from 2019 to 2023. During his leadership, Judge Hull was lauded for skillfully guiding the court system through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and overseeing the implementation of the Illinois SAFE-T Act, which dramatically reformed the criminal justice system, including the elimination of cash bail. Judge Hull also initiated the…

Geneva’s GIA MIA, one of BG Hospitality Group’s many fine restaurants throughout the Fox Valley and Western Suburbs, celebrates “Wine On Wednesday” where every Wednesday patrons can treat themselves to half-price select bottles of wine. Recently, Fox Valley Magazine’s Kevin Ketchum visited GIA MIA Geneva to indulge in this fantastic offer and sample some delightful wines. (Photo credits Kevin Ketchum)