Suburban Chronicle

07/02/2023

Spending time with your children away from screens and other distractions is really fun. Passing on a family tradition and strengthening relationships are a couple of reasons why people camp.

Camping with kids may seem like a tough challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. Spending time with your children away from screens and other distractions is really fun. Passing on a family tradition and strengthening relationships are a couple of reasons why people camp. Set Reasonable Expectations ...

07/01/2023

Before you dash to the grocery store, why don’t we make popsicles at home? Here’s a refreshing treat bursting with red, white and blue colors and fresh fruity flavors that bring relief on hot summer days.

Independence Day is just around the corner. Celebrating the Fourth of July brings a sense of patriotism and community as people gather to enjoy parades, fireworks and barbecues. The summer heat adds an extra sizzle to the festivities, making it the perfect time to cool down by indulging in ice pops....

07/01/2023

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza is ringing in fiscal year 2024 by celebrating a record-high $1.94 billion in Illinois’ “rainy day” fund and setting her sights on doubling that figure in the next decade. “$2 billion sounds like a lot of money, certainly in contrast to $48,000,” Mendoza said in an interview Friday.

There are no champagne toasts or fireworks, but when the clock strikes 12 a.m. on Saturday, it’s the start of a new year in Illinois – a new fiscal year, that is. And just as a new year is a time to contemplate recent accomplishments and make resolutions for the future, Illinois Comptroller Susa...

06/29/2023

In a whirlwind visit to Chicago on Wednesday, June 28 President Joe Biden trotted out a re-election campaign message built on economic recovery — and effusively praised Gov. J.B. Pritzker for helping him win the White House in 2020.

CHICAGO – In a whirlwind visit to Chicago on Wednesday, June 28 President Joe Biden trotted out a re-election campaign message built on economic recovery — and effusively praised Gov. J.B. Pritzker for helping him win the White House in 2020. “There’s a guy that helped me more than — I can...

06/28/2023

An educator with decades of experience as a teacher and administrator in a wide range of settings, Andalib Khelghati was unanimously chosen by the school board and given a three-year employment contract.

An educator with decades of experience as a teacher and administrator in a wide range of settings is the new superintendent of Oswego Community Unite School District 308. The district board voted unanimously this month to name Andalib Khelghati as top administrator, awarding him a three-year employm...

06/28/2023

In May, there were 2,525 Illinois residences in foreclosure, a 3.6 percent increase from April. Despite having the nation’s highest percentage of homes in foreclosure, Illinois’ numbers are better than they were a year ago.

Illinois has the nation’s highest percentage of housing units in foreclosure. One in every 2,144 Illinois residences was in foreclosure proceedings for May, according to the most recent data from ATTOM, a property data provider. In May, there were 2,525 Illinois residences in foreclosure, a 3.6 pe...

06/28/2023

Amid record-high inflation last spring, the General Assembly temporarily waived the state's grocery tax for the coming fiscal year and delayed the annual increase in the motor fuel tax for six months. “I would like very much to eliminate entirely the grocery tax, but it is a matter of local governments and what they would do if they didn’t have that income as a result of the grocery tax,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said.

SPRINGFIELD – A new state fiscal year will begin July 1, ushering in the reinstatement of a 1 percent tax on groceries and a second increase to the state’s motor fuel tax in 2023. Amid record-high inflation last spring, the General Assembly temporarily waived Illinois’ grocery tax for the comi...

06/26/2023

As of Friday, Starbucks workers began participating in Strike with Pride, demanding that the company negotiate a fair contract with union stores and stop what workers call a “union-busting campaign,” which has impacted the company’s LGBTQIA+ workforce.

Workers at more than 150 Starbucks stores across the country, including several in Illinois, may strike over the next week, claiming unfair labor practices. As of Friday, June 23, Starbucks workers began participating in Strike with Pride, demanding that the company negotiate a fair contract with un...

06/26/2023

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 68-year-old female who was diagnosed with high blood pressure at 32. I am 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weigh 130 pounds. I’ve been taking 240 mg of verapamil for all of these years. A few years back, my medication started coming in 120-mg dosages, so I started taking...

06/25/2023

The humble potato is underrated. It’s a low-fat, low-cholesterol source of carbs and protein, packed with vitamin C, vitamin B6, iron, calcium and more potassium than a banana. The bad reputation comes from typical toppings, like copious amounts of butter, sour cream and bacon.

Remember stuffed baked potatoes? I was discussing food with some friends, and none of us could recall the last time we had stuffed baked potatoes. We’ve been so occupied with quinoa and cauliflower rice that we overlooked the King of Carbs — good carbs, of course. The humble potato is underrated...

06/24/2023

Gardens, farmers markets, and stores are benefiting from the wide variety of fruits and vegetables available during summer months. And summertime brings the best colors of produce..

Gardens, farmers markets, and stores are benefiting from the wide variety of fruits and vegetables available during summer months. And summertime brings the best colors of produce. No fruit or vegetable has the same mix of vitamins and minerals. By eating different fruits and vegetables (in a variet...

06/23/2023

A trailblazing public servant whose name is synonymous with Aurora, Ward 7 Alderwoman Scheketa Hart-Burns was the first African American elected to the Aurora City Council. She died on June 19, the first sitting member of the Aurora City Council to pass while in office.

She made history when she was elected in 1991 to the Aurora City Council and continued to blaze a trail of unparalleled leadership, service, and advocacy for the next three decades. A trailblazing public servant whose name is synonymous with Aurora, Ward 7 Alderwoman Scheketa Hart-Burns was the firs...

06/21/2023

Too much watering can be as bad as not enough watering. When the soil is without moisture, water the tree. Soil will generally dry out within seven to 10 days of not having a good soaking rain, so says the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Commonly in Illinois there are periods of drought. During these times trees need to be given special attention and monitoring. Symptoms of drought include: wilted foliage a sparse canopy of off-colored and undersized leaves leaf scorch yellowing of the leaves leaf drop and premature leaf color Check...

06/21/2023

A new law signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker expands local police departments’ authority to use drones to surveil certain events, respond to certain 911 calls, inspect buildings and participate in public relations events.

CHICAGO – Next time you attend a parade, there might be an eye in the sky. A new law signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday expands local police departments’ authority to use drones to surveil certain events, respond to certain 911 calls, inspect buildings and participate in public relations eve...

06/20/2023

The region has received “significantly” below average rainfall since very early this spring, according to the NWS. The most significant rainfall deficits over the last 30 days were located near the Chicago metro area.

The National Weather Service has officially designated many areas of northern Illinois and northwest and Indiana as being in a severe drought status. The region has received “significantly” below average rainfall since very early this spring, according to the NWS. The most significant rainfall d...

06/19/2023

Over the past year, construction workers inside the Illinois Statehouse have stripped most of the building’s north wing down to its bare bones and are now in the process of restoring it to its original grandeur. That portion of the historic building, which includes the Senate chamber, has been closed to the public since last spring.

SPRINGFIELD – Over the past year, construction workers inside the Illinois Statehouse have stripped most of the building’s north wing down to its bare bones and are now in the process of restoring it to its original grandeur. That portion of the historic building, which includes the Senate chamb...

06/19/2023

https://tinyurl.com/2p95ja4k

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’ve been experiencing pain in my chest, dizziness and shortness of breath on exertion. The chest pain lasts for a few hours. At one point, it was so bad that I couldn’t walk a hundred feet, had to use a cane and severely limit my physical activity. I’ve been to the doctor...

06/19/2023

The trail, a partnership between the states of Wisconsin and Illinois, runs from the headwaters in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, through McHenry, Lake, Kane and Kendall counties in Illinois.

The National Parks Service has designated the Fabulous Fox! Water Trail as the latest in a series of distinctive network of recreational waterways. The announcement was made this month by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland as the Fox River would join eight other new National Recreation Trail...

06/19/2023

Fabyan Parkway in Kane County will be closed to through traffic from Hughes Road to Main Street Road beginning Monday, June 19 and lasting through July 31,

Fabyan Parkway will be closed to through traffic from Hughes Road to Main Street Road from June 19-31, weather permitting. A posted detour will be in place utilizing Fabyan Parkway, Randall Road and Main Street Road. While closed to through traffic, this section of road will remain open to local tra...

06/18/2023

There are few things tastier than a freshly baked pie. As the seasons advance, each month brings new “pies-sobilities.” Savor a tasty slice of pie this season and consider growing next year’s pie filling at home in a “pie” garden.

The summer season of freshly baked pie. fresh berries. summer fruit

06/17/2023

Father’s Day is tomorrow, and if you’re wondering what to do for dear ol’ dad, How about a mouth-watering burger? There’s nothing quite like a juicy burger, especially when made with love for the special father figures in your life.

Father’s Day is fast approaching, and if you’re wondering what to do for dear ol’ dad, I have a suggestion. How about a mouth-watering burger? There’s nothing quite like a juicy burger, especially when made with love for the special father figures in your life. Now, I’m not talking about t...

06/16/2023

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill into law that strengthens the range of penalties that a state watchdog can mete out for health care employees who conspire to hide abuse or interfere with investigations by the state police or internal oversight bodies.

This article was produced for ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network in partnership with Lee Enterprises, along with Capitol News Illinois. Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed a bill into law on June 9 that strengthens the range of penalties that a state watchdog can mete out for health care employees who...

06/15/2023

“The staff has been really excited for the building,” said Yorkville Mayor John Purcell during ribbon-cutting ceremonies and an open house attended by more than 125 people. “Some of the cops — all they knew was the old building — said to me ‘I didn’t think it was every going to happen.’”

Tight quarters and office sharing is now a thing of the past for Yorkville city officials, employees and police. The rapidly growing Kendall County community was introduced to a spacious home for municipal services inside a three-story structure at 651 Prairie Pointe Drive that was officially dedica...

06/13/2023

The suburban Chicago Republican-turned-Florida resident on Monday unveiled the portrait painted by Chicago Artist Richard Halstead and privately funded by Rauner. The 42nd governor of Illinois who served from 2015 to 2019. .

SPRINGFIELD – Former Gov. Bruce Rauner’s portrait has joined the “Hall of Governors” in the Illinois Capitol. The Winnetka Republican-turned-Florida resident on Monday, June 12 unveiled the portrait painted by Chicago Artist Richard Halstead and privately funded by Rauner. The 42nd governor ...