Author: Fox Valley Magazine

You can sort of feel a little bristle when you ask Lee Greenwood about his defining song “Proud To Be An American.” It’s understandable. Greenwood has loads more on his resume than just that song, having hit the charts dozens of times in his legendary career. But a song that powerful, that evocative of certain moments in our country’s recent history is bound to come up in every interview, every appearance, and every concert. But Greenwood’s career is unique and remarkable well beyind that early 80s smash. The guys speak with him about that, his time as a blackjack dealer…

Hugely popular Chicagoland band 7th Heaven will perform this Saturday at 8:30pm at The Piazza in Aurora. 7th heaven is an experience you just have to see and hear. The band has charted #1 on the Midwest Billboard Charts three times and has been heard on radio stations throughout Chicagoland with their hits “Beautiful Life”, “This Is Where The Party’s At”, Stoplight”, “Better This Way” and “Sing”. Also known for the famous “30 Songs in 30 Minutes” medley of songs from the 70’s and 80’s,7th heaven has been an entertainment staple for 37 years. Playing around 200 shows a year, with an average of 100 outdoor events,7th heaven has earned the right to say …”We’ve seen…

Elgin-area residents have a unique opportunity to see, hear, and learn about instruments that were owned and played by Jewish musicians before and during the Holocaust. Twenty-four violins that have been lovingly restored by Israeli violin makers Amnon Weinstein and his son, Avshalom (Avshi), will be played by Elgin Symphony Orchestra musicians in a Violins of Hope concert on Saturday, May 20, at 7:30 p.m., at the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin, Ill. The event will also include commentary on the violins featured in the performance by Dr. James A. Grymes, musicologist and author of the book “Violins of Hope.”…

Aurora’s riverfront appears to be getting yet another facelift as a result of city council approval of a 187-unit residential development along the west bank of the Fox River. The Aurora City Council last week voted unanimously to approve a plan for downtown apartments on the west side of the Fox River, directly across from RiverEdge, called Pacifica Riverview. The development, proposed by Windfall Development, will be built on 2.34 acres and would offer 187 residential units comprised primarily of studio and one-bedroom apartments with some 3- bedroom units mixed in, along with 10 row houses directly along the riverfront…

A former DuPage County Deputy Sheriff is in custody today accused of having inappropriate sexual contact with a female prisoner. DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick announced yesterday that bond has been set for a 52-year-old Elgin man charged with five counts of Custodial Sexual Misconduct and five counts of Official Misconduct, all Class 3 Felonies. Judge Michael Reidy set bond at $300,000 with 10% to apply. The accused, who served as a DuPage County deputy sheriff assigned to the DuPage County Jail, was terminated from his position on May 15, 2023. It is…

A Montgomery man is dead after is motorcycle collided with another vehicle at the intersection of Orchard Rd. and Countryside Avenue last yesterday afternoon. At approximately 1:54PM, the Montgomery Police Department received a call regarding a motorcycle vs. vehicle collision at the intersection of Orchard Road. and Countryside Avenue. Upon arriving at the scene and determining the accident’s severity, the Montgomery Police Department and assisting agencies closed Orchard Road in both directions between Rt. 30 and Aucutt Road for several hours, causing significant traffic disruption. The vehicle, traveling westbound on Countryside Avenue, attempted to turn southbound onto Orchard Road when…

In honor of mothers everywhere this Mother’s Day, here’s a poem written by the great Langston Hughes called “Mother to Son.” MOTHER TO SON Langston Hughes Well, son, I’ll tell you:Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.It’s had tacks in it,And splinters,And boards torn up,And places with no carpet on the floor—Bare.But all the timeI’se been a-climbin’ on,And reachin’ landin’s,And turnin’ corners,And sometimes goin’ in the darkWhere there ain’t been no light.So, boy, don’t you turn back.Don’t you set down on the steps.’Cause you finds it’s kinder hard.Don’t you fall now—For I’se still goin’, honey,I’se still climbin’,And life for…

The Kane County Sheriff’s Office has released further details on the head-on collision Tuesday in unincorporated Hampshire. At approximately 4:49 on Tuesday, Kane County Sheriff deputies were dispatched to the scene of an accident on Plank Road, near the Meadowlark intersection in unincorporated Hampshire. There they found the result of what appeared to be a head-on collision between two vehicles. According to witness statements and information provided to investigators, police believe that a 2017 Ford 4-door vehicle driven by 38-year-old Kimberly Bauer of Hampshire left the eastbound lane of traffic on Plank Road and entered the westbound lane, resulting in…

The National Weather Service has indicated that a transition to what is called an El Niño weather pattern is expected in the next couple of months, with a greater than 90% chance of El Niño persisting into the Northern Hemisphere winter. NWS indicates that there is about an 80% chance the transition to El Niño takes place between May and July. What that typically means for the Fox Valley region is warmer, dryer winters. El Niño vs La NiñaDuring normal conditions in the Pacific ocean, trade winds blow west along the equator, taking warm water from South America towards Asia. To replace…

By PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinois Illinois lawmakers are considering further legislation restricting the possession and marketing of firearms, even as state and federal courts are weighing the constitutionality of an assault weapons ban passed in January. On Wednesday, the Illinois House passed a bill that would subject firearms manufacturers and dealers to the state’s Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, restricting them from using certain marketing strategies. “The Firearm Industry Responsibility Act, House Bill 218, is designed to hold gun manufacturers accountable and ensure that families devastated by gun violence have a path to justice in Illinois civil courts,” Rep.…