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Articles to keep you up to speed on what's happening locally.

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Batavia rethinking approach to energy plan after residents push back on first draft

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Mar 18, 2026

Batavia rethinking approach to energy plan after residents push back on first draft

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.

Sam Kraft
Sam Kraft
Your guide to election results in the Tri-Cities area

Local news

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Mar 18, 2026

Your guide to election results in the Tri-Cities area

Unofficial results show that Geneva voters rejected a $59.4 million bond measure for a new police station as Kane County wrapped up its March primary with results across several contested races.

Sam Kraft
Sam Kraft
St. Charles water and sewer rates may be going up significantly

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Mar 18, 2026

St. Charles water and sewer rates may be going up significantly

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.

Sam Kraft
Sam Kraft
Batavia's new e-mobility and e-bike ordinance is officially on the books

Local news

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Mar 17, 2026

Batavia's new e-mobility and e-bike ordinance is officially on the books

Batavia officials approved the city's first e-mobility ordinance Monday, 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.

Sam Kraft
Sam Kraft
TCC readers think the Tri-Cities are getting harder to afford — here's what they said

Local news

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Mar 15, 2026

TCC readers think the Tri-Cities are getting harder to afford — here's what they said

Nearly three in four Tri-Cities residents who responded to our affordability poll say the area is getting out of reach for people who aren't already established here.

Sam Kraft
Sam Kraft
Campton Hills board advances $90M LaFox TIF district amid pushback

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Mar 13, 2026

Campton Hills board advances $90M LaFox TIF district amid pushback

The Campton Hills Joint Review Board backed a $90 million TIF district for the 900-home LaFox of Campton Hills development, but park, library, and county officials warned the tax freeze could cost their districts significantly.

Sam Kraft
Sam Kraft
Batavia officials back school district's bid to expand its Main Street footprint — over some objections

Local news

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Mar 13, 2026

Batavia officials back school district's bid to expand its Main Street footprint — over some objections

Batavia's Committee of the Whole voted 10-2 to recommend letting the school district purchase 812 Main Street for storage despite some objections that the move will harm the city's redevelopment vision.

Sam Kraft
Sam Kraft
Elburn's water retested after PFAS detection — no contamination found

Local news

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Mar 12, 2026

Elburn's water retested after PFAS detection — no contamination found

Elburn retested its drinking water after a PFAS compound showed up in a December sample — and both follow-up tests came back clean.

Sam Kraft
Sam Kraft
St. Charles eyes downtown safety upgrades along popular cycling corridor

Local news

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Mar 11, 2026

St. Charles eyes downtown safety upgrades along popular cycling corridor

St. Charles officials are pursuing a planning contract to study safety and streetscaping improvements along the busy Riverside Avenue corridor, where cyclists and cars have faced challenges coexisting near the Fox River Trail.

Sam Kraft
Sam Kraft
Local drive collecting household essentials for Heritage Woods seniors

Local news

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Mar 9, 2026

Local drive collecting household essentials for Heritage Woods seniors

A local collection initiative culminating in a special "shopping event" is gathering household and personal care essentials for fixed-income seniors at Heritage Woods of Batavia through April 3.

Sam Kraft
Sam Kraft
Local raffle offers a chance to win big — and help your neighbors

Local news

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Mar 6, 2026

Local raffle offers a chance to win big — and help your neighbors

A growing Queen of Hearts raffle at Sturdy Shelter in Batavia is raising money for Tri City Health Partnership, the only clinic in Kane County offering completely free medical and dental care to uninsured adults — tickets are $5 and the pot is already past $1,100.

Sam Kraft
Sam Kraft
St. Charles D303 facilities committee entering the home stretch — and a referendum could follow

Local news

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Mar 6, 2026

St. Charles D303 facilities committee entering the home stretch — and a referendum could follow

A St. Charles D303 community committee reviewing more than $400 million in school facilities needs is heading into its final two meetings before delivering a report to the school board — and a referendum could follow.

Sam Kraft
Sam Kraft
Geneva moves to add security cameras at city hall, police station, and public works

Local news

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Mar 4, 2026

Geneva moves to add security cameras at city hall, police station, and public works

Geneva officials recommended installing security cameras at city hall, the police station, and the public works facility, closing coverage gaps that staff say have caused issues in the past.

Sam Kraft
Sam Kraft
Illinois governor's housing plan puts Batavia mayor — and other suburbs — on alert

Local news

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Mar 4, 2026

Illinois governor's housing plan puts Batavia mayor — and other suburbs — on alert

Gov. Pritzker's proposal for the state to override local residential zoning laws has Batavia's mayor and the Metropolitan Mayor's Caucus organizing opposition — and even a trip down to Springfield.

Sam Kraft
Sam Kraft
Elburn plans additional water tests after PFAS detection

Local news

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Mar 2, 2026

Elburn plans additional water tests after PFAS detection

Elburn officials are retesting the village's drinking water after notifying residents that the state detected a PFAS compound above recommended reporting levels in a village well.

Sam Kraft
Sam Kraft
The 2026 Downtown Batavia Restaurant Guide is now available

Local news

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Mar 2, 2026

The 2026 Downtown Batavia Restaurant Guide is now available

Batavia MainStreet has released its 2026 Downtown Batavia Restaurant Guide, spotlighting 35 local bars, cafés, and restaurants to help residents and visitors plan their next meal out.

Sam Kraft
Sam Kraft
Batavia's River Street Plaza project approved with summer opening in sight

Local news

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Feb 28, 2026

Batavia's River Street Plaza project approved with summer opening in sight

Batavia officials are progressing plans for the new River Street Plaza downtown — complete with seating, landscaping, art, and a self-cleaning public restroom — with construction expected to kick off in March or April.

Sam Kraft
Sam Kraft
Kane County Clerk launches new voter wait time app

Local news

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Feb 18, 2026

Kane County Clerk launches new voter wait time app

Kane County Clerk John A. Cunningham just announced the launch of a new online “Voter Wait Time” app that lets voters check estimated line lengths at polling places ahead of the March 17 primary election.

Sam Kraft
Sam Kraft
Batavia eyes new rules for e-bikes, scooters, and electric dirt bikes

Local news

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Feb 18, 2026

Batavia eyes new rules for e-bikes, scooters, and electric dirt bikes

Batavia officials discussed drafting a local ordinance to improve safety and enforcement around e-bikes, scooters, and high-powered electric dirt bikes ahead of spring and summer riding season.

Sam Kraft
Sam Kraft
League of Women Voters urges residents to mail ballots by March 10

Local news

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Feb 17, 2026

League of Women Voters urges residents to mail ballots by March 10

The League of Women Voters of Central Kane County is urging local voters using mail-in ballots for the March 17 primary to mail them by March 10 or drop them off in person to ensure they’re counted.

Sam Kraft
Sam Kraft
Local candidates share their views during GOP primary forums in Batavia

Local news

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Feb 17, 2026

Local candidates share their views during GOP primary forums in Batavia

At recent League of Women Voters forums in Batavia, Republican candidates for Illinois Senate District 33 and U.S. Congress District 11 outlined differing approaches on immigration, election rules, Social Security, and how to rein in the cost of living.

Sam Kraft
Sam Kraft
St. Charles officials weigh options for addressing $84 million unfunded lead pipe mandate

Local news

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Feb 16, 2026

St. Charles officials weigh options for addressing $84 million unfunded lead pipe mandate

St. Charles officials said during a recent budget meeting that replacing thousands of lead service lines could cost $84 million over the next decade, which could require the city to lean on utility rate increases to pay for it.

Sam Kraft
Sam Kraft
Illinois EPA issues PFAS detection notice for Elburn water customers

Local news

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Feb 15, 2026

Illinois EPA issues PFAS detection notice for Elburn water customers

An Illinois EPA news release says PFAS (also known as “forever chemicals”) were detected above state standards in the Elburn Community Water System, triggering a legal requirement to notify residents.

Sam Kraft
Sam Kraft
A new childcare center is being planned for Prairie Centre in St. Charles

Local news

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Feb 14, 2026

A new childcare center is being planned for Prairie Centre in St. Charles

St. Charles officials are expected to approve plans for The Gardner School, a new 12K-square-foot childcare facility proposed along Route 38 in the Prairie Centre development.

Sam Kraft
Sam Kraft
St. Charles North turns a radio rivalry into a feel-good school visit

Local news

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Feb 14, 2026

St. Charles North turns a radio rivalry into a feel-good school visit

St. Charles North High School welcomed US 99.5 Chicago radio personalities for a spirited visit after a producer jokingly reignited a long-running rivalry tied to a 2008 soccer championship loss.

Sam Kraft
Sam Kraft
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