Author: Fox Valley Magazine

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin got some welcome news recently. Three initiatives proposed in his office’s 2023 legislative package have now been signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker. The initiatives, which were passed by the legislature in May, involve animal welfare and enhanced protection for personnel and residents at long-term health facilities. All three were signed by Pritzker in early August. The animal welfare initiative, now know as Public Act 103-0490, amends the Humane Care for Animals Act by mandating that upon a violation of certain sections of the Act, rather than a conviction, the court may order…

The Food Truck Food Court will return to Aurora’s First Fridays on September 1. A handful of local food vendors will set up at Water Street Square, located at 65 S. Water St., from 5 to 9 p.m. Food trucks include Strawberries BBQ, Harvey’s Fire Box, Home Run Hot Dogs and Lemonade, Little Leilani, Snow Cone Sisters, and Polly Ann Cakes. On Water Street Mall, Roots Aurora will host its annual fundraiser celebrating the city’s many cultures. They will present cultural dance performances, music, live art, children’s activities, and more from 5 to 8 p.m. Throughout downtown, the First Fridays…

A 22-year-old Chicago man pleaded guilty yesterday in connection with a shooting during an attempted robbery in Elgin in 2020. Kayshaune T. Steele has agreed to a sentence of 15 years of imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections in exchange for a guilty plea to the offenses of Aggravated battery with a firearm, a Class X felony, and Aggravated discharge of a firearm, a Class X felony. Steele received an additional year for a previous charge of Aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, a Class 4 felony. Judge David P. Kliment accepted the plea. In the late afternoon of…

Two people have been hospitalized with serious injuries after an apparent head-on collision this afternoon on Route 47 near Hughes Creek Gold Course. According to a press release from the Kane County Sheriff’s office, at approximately 1:44 PM, deputies were dispatched to a head-on crash on Illinois Route 47 at Kenmar Drive. Upon initial investigation it appears that the accident involved a white pickup truck and a gray Sprinter van. One of the drivers’ Injuries were severe enough to require a Medivac to Good Samaritan Hospital. The other driver is also being treated for serious injuries and will be sent…

Admit it. You probably think that “Jessie’s Girl” and “867-5309” were performed by the same artist. Frankly, if you recognize either one of those 80’s pop hits, you should head out to RiverEdge Park in Aurora Thursday for the “I Want My 80’s Back Tour,” featuring Rick Springfield, among others. With over four decades of hits under his belt, Springfield is a true icon of the music industry, and his live shows are nothing short of electrifying. From “Jessie’s Girl” (see above) to “Love Somebody,” he’s known for his catchy hooks, powerful vocals, and high-energy performances. Springfield will be joined…

Elgin police have announced that two men have been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting on Elgin’s west side in June. At 1:04 a.m., June 25, Elgin police officers responded to the 200 block of South Aldine Street for a reported shooting. Upon arriving, officers located an adult male with gunshot wounds. The victim, 22-year-old Rayquan Smith of Elgin, was transported to an area hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. After an investigation of the incident, the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office has charged two Elgin men, 21 and 18, with two counts of First Degree Murder; armed…

An Aurora man faces a minimum of 12 years in prison after being found guilty of criminal sexual assault of a child, it was announced Monday. Judge Salvatore LoPiccolo, Jr. found 30-year-old David R. Arevalo Estrada guilty of the offenses of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, a Class X felony (2 counts), and aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a Class 2 felony (2 counts). Arevalo Estrada had waived his right to a jury trial. “I am grateful to this victim for her courage and perseverance, and for trusting us once she disclosed the sexual assaults,” Kane County Assistant State’s…

Naperville’s 2023 Last Fling will take place from Friday, September 1, through Monday, September 4, as an end-of-summer block party-style event along Jackson Avenue in downtown Naperville. Mark your calendar to join the members, volunteers, and neighbors for the weekend’s live music, food and beverages, and carnival fun!  Musical Lineup Friday, September 1 will feature Hairbangers Ball at 8PM, an interactive hair band experience, named “Best Rock Band ” by the public in their hometown of Chicago. Mix Tape Junkies will kick-off the weekend’s musical line-up at 5PM; their songs will have your guests singing and dancing along to favorites…

The first case of West Nile Virus has been reported in Kane County this season. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has announced 12 human-related cases of the virus, including one human case in Kane County. Cook, Macon, Madison, Will and Woodford counties have also reported individuals testing positive for WNV. IDPH says a person in their 90’s and lived in suburban Cook County, had an onset of symptoms of WNV in early August and is the first person to die from WNV in 2023.​ WNV is transmitted through the bite of a Culex mosquito, commonly called a typical mosquito, which…

The Barrington Hills Police Department has alerted the public of a stray bull that was sighted near the Spring Lake Forest Preserve Friday afternoon. The wayward bull was last seen in the area of Route 62 and Old Sutton Road. Residents should not approach the animal if seen, and should call 911 immediately, police said. Niether the details of the bull’s escape nor its owner have not been disclosed at this time.