Welcome to Tri-Cities Central, a twice-weekly newsletter highlighting local happenings in Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles and surrounding communities.
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Unofficial election results include an emphatic NO on Geneva police station
Geneva’s current police station.
Unofficial election results are in, and Geneva voters had something to say.
About two-thirds of residents rejected a $59.4 million bond referendum to fund a new police station, delivering a clear message despite an extensive public education campaign from the city.
Outreach included facility tours, community meetings, and a podcast aimed at showing residents the cramped conditions, flooding, sewer backups, and partial roof collapse at the current Police Plaza building.
Read on for full primary results — including Kane County Board races, the county sheriff and treasurer primaries, and congressional contests affecting the Tri-Cities.
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☑️ Water bill warning: St. Charles officials signaled support for a utility rate hike that would push a typical resident's combined bill nearly 50% higher by 2029, with further discussion and a public hearing coming on April 6.
☑️ Modernized regulations: Batavia officials approved the city's first e-mobility ordinance, which sets fines, age rules, and clear definitions for e-bikes, scooters, and motorized bikes. The city is planning a public education campaign before enforcement begins.
☑️ Energy plan pivot: Batavia paid a consultant $385K to draft a long-term energy plan, but council members and residents say the first attempt fell short — and now they're sending it back for a rewrite while exploring a task force.
☑️ Easter event hub: The next couple of weeks are packed with local egg hunts, bunny photos, and brunch options across Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles — here's the full rundown of Easter events (I’ll keep adding to this list).
☑️ Above and beyond: A St. Charles police officer received a Kane County lifesaving award after applying tourniquets to two critically injured motorcycle crash victims before paramedics arrived.
☑️ Pet preparedness: Kane County Animal Control is running low-cost drive-through rabies vaccine and microchip clinics at its Geneva facility on six dates between April and October, with discounted rates for senior residents.