Author: Fox Valley Magazine

Entering Year Five of Rebuild Illinois, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced multiple projects in the Kane County area that are planned or under way. Six major projects represent a total investment of more than $177 million, with the aim of improving safety, mobility and quality of life in the region. The six projects are all scheduled to be completed through 2026 include: “These investments in the Kane County region will strengthen our system of multimodal transportation across the state,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “Remember: If you are driving in Illinois this construction season, you will be driving…

Aurora Police obtained an arrest warrant for a Skokie man in connection with bomb threats at Aurora Public Library District buildings in September. On September 12th and 14th, 2023, the Aurora Public Library District buildings at 101 South River Street, 233 South Constitution Drive, and 555 South Eola Road were evacuated and searched by police after the District received bomb threats. No devices were located. During the investigation, the APD, in cooperation with North Regional Major Crimes Task Force, identified a 23-year-old Skokie man as being responsible for making the threats. On Wednesday, the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office authorized…

The Batavia Park District’s Oct. 13 Nightmare at West Main event has been cancelled due to the weather forecast. The Oct. 20 event will go on as scheduled. Oct. 13 ticketholders may use their original tickets to attend the Oct. 20 Nightmare at West Main event from 7-9 p.m. If you would like a refund for tickets purchased for the Oct. 13 event, please call the park district at 630-879-5235 during office hours, 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Tickets for the Oct. 20 Nightmare at West Main event are available at https://bataviaparks.info/3Rl5V3V.

Mention Classical Music and many people will claim they don’t know a thing about it. The Elgin Symphony Orchestra’s Friday Favorites, Music You Know concerts set out to prove them wrong. “Classical music is everywhere – in movies, commercials, cartoons. People may say they don’t know anything about classical music, but when the Symphony starts playing, they will recognize many of the pieces,” said Marc Thayer, CEO of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. The Music You Know concerts make orchestra music approachable to newcomers with its shorter, recognizable pieces, while providing longtime symphony fans a chance to hear some of their…

The highly-acclaimed St. Charles Singers will open their 40th season this weekend with “a profusion of polyphony” at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church in St. Charles. The season’s opening concert will feature motets of J.S Bach, as well as work by William Byrd, Charles Stanford, Algirdas Martinaitis, Ivo Antognini, and others. Musical guests will include cellist Craig Trompeter, founder and artistic director of the Haymarket Opera Company, and double bassist Jerry Fuller, director of Ars Antigua.  Performances will be held on Saturday, October 14 at 7:30pm and Sunday, October 15 at 3:00pm. Tickets are $45 for adults, $40 for seniors and $12 for…

By HANNAH MEISELCapitol News Illinois Governor JB Pritzker on Tuesday condemned the deadly attacks on Israel over the weekend by the militant group Hamas, telling those gathered outside a synagogue in Chicago’s north suburb of Glencoe that Illinois “unequivocally stands” with the people of Israel. The governor, who himself is Jewish, was one of a handful of elected officials and faith leaders who spoke at the gathering. Pritzker acknowledged the militant group isn’t representative of all Palestinians – including those who live in Gaza under the de facto rule of Hamas. “There are many peace-loving Palestinians, and we must honor…

Batavia Mainstreet is bringing back its annual Halloween-themed family event, BatFest, in downtown Batavia on Saturday, October 28 from 10:00am-2:00pm. Activities at BatFest will include: To see a full list of events and activities, visit https://downtownbatavia.com Please contact the Batavia MainStreet office at (630) 761-3528 or [email protected] for more information.

Yes, you read that right. Illinois has been ranked as having the “most beautiful residents” in the United States by gaming site BonusFinder.com. Illinois narrowly beat out California and Texas for the title. The rankings were based on the number of Miss USA and Sexiest Man Alive winners in each state, among similar metrics, adjusted for population. Sounds like solid analysis to us. Our nearest neighbors didn’t fare so well. Iowa tops that list at a score of 29.0. The Land of Cheddar to the north bagged a mere 17.7. And our Hoosier friends to the east came in at…

For the first time in years, Geneva’s electric customers will see their rates increase next month. Beginning Wednesday, November 15, citizens will see the electric portion of their utility bill jump 3.5% on average in order to pay for fixed costs for the city’s electric utility along with capital projects that will, according to the city, benefit residential, commercial and industrial customers. The Geneva City Council approved the new rate plan August 7. The plan calls for three stepped rate adjustments spread out over five years, the first being this fall followed by increases in 2025 and 2027.The fixed monthly…

Located in Elgin’s industrial section stands the abandoned home of Elgin Casket Company. This once proud building has been witness to a murder, grisly discoveries, cult activities, and unexplained occurrences, and a dark legacy has emerged from its sordid history. Visitors still regularly report encounters with some of the former residents that now roam the decayed hallways and abandoned factory floors. It’s completely unique and nothing else like it in the state of Illinois. Be terrorized at this multi-level 55,000 square foot paranormal hot spot. The Old Elgin Casket Factory offers an experience you will never forget and memories that…