Welcome to Tri-Cities Central, a twice-weekly newsletter highlighting local happenings in Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles and surrounding communities.
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Some local communities are growing faster than others
Kane County added more than 9,000 residents between 2020 and 2025, but most of that growth happened outside the Tri-Cities.
New U.S. Census Bureau estimates show that the population of Batavia and St. Charles ticked up modestly while Geneva lost residents, even as outer communities like Elburn and North Aurora saw significant growth.
Read on to see how each city fared — plus trends across the wider Chicagoland area.
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☑️ Festival funding: Geneva is weighing an expansion of its Destination Geneva grant program that would make up to $75K in hotel tax money available for local events — but to qualify, applicants would have to show their event actually brings overnight visitors to town.
☑️ Project progressing: Campton Hills officials voted to establish a TIF district for the 900-unit LaFox of Campton Hills development — but the redevelopment agreement that determines how the money actually flows still needs to be finalized.
☑️ Harmful behavior: St. Charles D303's superintendent publicly acknowledged a pattern of racially offensive language targeting minority students in the city's schools, calling on families to partner with the district in addressing the problem.
☑️ Crash aftermath: A Batavia man died in March from injuries sustained in a February crash at Randall Road and Mill Street, and the other driver has since been charged with speeding.
☑️ Assault sentence: An Aurora man was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison for assaulting two ICE officers and a Kane County sheriff's deputy during an arrest at the Kane County Sheriff's Department lobby in St. Charles last July.
☑️ Traffic notes:
The Kane County Sheriff's Office is running a day-and-night seat belt enforcement push May 15-26 through the Memorial Day travel period.
Crews will begin connecting Kautz Road to Fabyan Parkway the week of May 18 in an effort to ease truck traffic on Kirk Road, with the project expected to wrap by mid-July. Expect lane closures.
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☑️ Facility feedback: St. Charles District 303 is asking community members to weigh in on a proposed $295M school facilities investment after its advisory committee wrapped up a five-month review with 97% of members in support of the plan. Take the survey here.
☑️ See the Snowballs: A newly founded Chicago-based co-ed baseball entertainment team modeled on the Savannah Bananas phenomenon is bringing its show to Northwestern Medicine Field in Geneva on June 6. Get all the details.
☑️ A growing herd: A bison calf born last weekend at Burlington Prairie Forest Preserve marks the first birth from a herd returned to Native stewardship last December. Learn more and see the calf.
☑️ Caregiving crunch: If you're raising kids while also caring for aging parents, you're part of what's called the "sandwich generation" — check out this article for useful tips from TriCity Family Services ahead of a May 27 event they’re hosting on the topic.
☑️ Project in limbo: The Kane County Board voted down a proposal to plant a commemorative elm tree and historical marker behind the Geneva courthouse, leaving the America 250th donation without a permanent home less than two months before the anniversary.
✳️ Grad gifts you won’t find anywhere else: Urban Artisan in downtown Geneva has an eye-opening selection of graduation gifts — from Chicago art prints and leather journals to those Pope Leo Chicago shirts everyone's been talking about.
We stopped by the back patio bar at Whiskey Bend on Friday for a live music happy hour.
It’s nice that the music starts early (4PM), but you’d be wise to get there even earlier if possible — that spot fills up fast on a beautiful day.
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✨ There's always a reason to visit The Little Traveler (including an incredible brunch deal for $13)
Sunday brunch at The Little Traveler's Atrium Café has been a Tri-Cities tradition for decades — and for good reason. For just $13, you get a full spread of house-made favorites: fluffy omelets, crispy bacon, Swedish pancakes, Crab Cakes Benedict.
Plus, it’s routinely named Best Brunch in West Suburban Living's Best of the West awards (trust me, it’s well-deserved).
💥 Your guide to spring discovery: Browse the 2026 Spring Almanack for upcoming events and fresh new products — there's always something new to discover beyond the cafe at The Little Traveler.
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☑️ Haircut heroes: Foltos Tonsorial Parlor in Batavia will mark 35 years of "Chop Around the Clock" with a 24-hour haircut marathon June 5–6 benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities.
☑️ More than just shops: The latest “Area Code: Batavia” episode zeroes in on the Batavia Boardwalk Shops to hear directly from the owners about what drives them and why face-to-face, in-person retail feels more important than ever.
✳️ Need a dumpster? One of the few truly local waste companies left, Midwest Waste serves Tri-Cities homeowners with clear pricing, no hidden fees, and friendly service — reliable cleanup whenever you need it. Check out their dumpster services.
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☑️ Local home sales: See recent property sales for the Tri-Cities area — including this newly remodeled home near Geneva High School with a second-story garage apartment that sold for just under $1M.
✳️ Need a trustworthy local realtor? Get in touch with Tri-Cities expert Chris Wallace at [email protected] or chriswallacere.com.
☑️ Local obits: Recent obituaries posted by Tri-Cities funeral homes.
☑️ City meetings: Kane County is hosting a public meeting on Wednesday (5/20) in Batavia to discuss planned safety and traffic improvements along Fabyan Parkway between Routes 25 and 31.
☑️ Police reports: View police reports and arrest logs for Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles and Campton Hills.
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☑️ Understanding the Big Deal about Data Centers | Mon 5/18, 6:30PM | Batavia Library | Sierra Club speaker discusses managing data center growth to protect community resources.
🎟️ Arcada Italian Dinner | Tue 5/19, 4:30PM & 6:30PM | Rock 'N Ravioli Restaurant, STC | Italian dinner benefiting Rotary Club service projects in the community.
☑️ Taco Dale Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting | Tue 5/19, 5PM | Taco Dale, STC | Celebrate the grand opening of Taco Dale's new St. Charles location.
☑️ The Market Bar | Thu 5/21, 6PM–8PM | On Point Nails, Geneva | Sip, shop, and explore a new cosmetics collaboration and build-your-own flower bar.
🎟️ 10-Year Beer Garden Opening Party | Fri 5/22, 3PM–11PM | Sidecar Supper Club, Batavia | Celebrate ten years with rare craft beer, live music, and prizes all night.
☑️ 28th Annual St. Charles Fine Art Show | Sat 5/23 + Sun 5/24 | Downtown STC | Over 110 fine artists with live music, demos, and a paint-a-car activity.
🎟️ Sip Into Summer: A Dueling Pianos Patio Kickoff | Sat 5/23, 11:30AM–2PM | The James, Geneva | Dueling pianos, wine tastings, and food on an open patio.
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