Molly Morrow

Amid recent anti-ICE walkouts, online Aurora Public Library display looks at student protests, then and now The online display looks at protests in Aurora and across Illinois, including the recent anti-ICE student walkouts.

The stories of Aurora student protests and others across Illinois are currently being featured in an online display from the Aurora Public Library, called “Campus Protests in the Land of Lincoln.”

Kane County farmhouse verified as former Underground Railroad safe house in National Park Service initiative The site is the first known safe house in the county to be verified as part of the federal initiative.

Kane County farmhouse verified as former Underground Railroad safe house in National Park Service initiative www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/16/k... @mollymorrow.bsky.social

Kane County farmhouse verified as former Underground Railroad safe house in National Park Service initiative The site is the first known safe house in the county to be verified as part of the federal initiative.

Kane County farmhouse verified as former Underground Railroad safe house in National Park Service initiative. Fascinating story about American history in our backyard, by @mollymorrow.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/16/k...

In a flurry of student walkouts, Chicago-area students continue protest of ICE Several hundred high school students from Proviso Township walked out of their classrooms Wednesday morning in protest of mass deportation.

In a flurry of student walkouts, Chicago-area students continue protest of ICE

East Aurora students walk out from class Tuesday to protest against ICE The district on Tuesday said administration worked with the police department to ensure students remained safe during the walkout.

Dozens of East Aurora School District 131 students walked out on Tuesday in a protest against federal immigration enforcement activity, adding to a string of recent actions in the Chicago area and around the country.

Yorkville D115 voters to decide on $275 million bond measure for new school buildings, high school improvements The district is looking to build new elementary and middle schools and make significant additions to the high school building.

In the upcoming March 17 primary election, voters in Yorkville School District 115 will be asked whether they approve of the district issuing $275 million in bonds to pay for two new school buildings among other renovations.

Rezoning for potential data center rejected by Yorkville commission, City Council vote tentatively planned for February In recent years, Yorkville has become the site of a number of pitches for data center projects.

As the planned data center footprint in Yorkville continues to grow, a request to rezone a portion of land so it could one day host a data center failed to secure a positive recommendation from the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission.

Historic St. Charles home to be landmarked, rehabilitated with TIF assistance A local developer plans to buy the property from the church that owns it and rehabilitate the structure with financial help from the city.

A historic St. Charles home that was previously being considered for demolition is going to remain standing — and be rehabilitated and landmarked — after an agreement was recently reached among the city, the local church that owns the property and a developer who plans to buy and restore it.

Geneva, other suburban communities joining forces to represent interests in potential Union Pacific merger Geneva and six other municipalities on the Union Pacific West Line are looking to jointly represent their interests in the potential merger.

Geneva and six other municipalities along the Union Pacific West Line are forming an alliance so that they can jointly represent their interests as Union Pacific seeks to merge with Norfolk Southern.

Indian Prairie District 204 school board approves $2.3 million Chromebooks purchase The district has begun replacing student computers every year in a staggered system, rather than in large chunks every few years.

The Indian Prairie School District 204 board recently gave the district the green light to purchase 6,150 new Chromebooks, for a total cost of just over $2.3 million.

Geneva City Council denies appeal to demolish landmarked structure at old Mill Race Inn site The city has on several occasions over the past few years considered whether to allow demolition of the structure at 4 E. State St.

The landmarked structure at 4 E. State St. in Geneva — part of what was once the Mill Race Inn — will remain for now, after the Geneva City Council on Monday denied an appeal seeking its demolition.

Kane County modifying its dial-a-ride system, hoping to streamline process and expand access As of Jan. 1, residents looking to register for the program will do so directly through the Pace suburban bus service, with the county providing customer service and support to users. The changes a…

Changes are underway to Kane County’s Ride in Kane program that are meant to streamline how the program is administered and ensure equal access to all eligible residents throughout the county.

Owners of Altiro open fine dining restaurant, Enigma, in Geneva The owners of Altiro Latin Fusion have a new, fine dining restaurant concept at the location of their first restaurant.

Owners of Altiro open fine dining restaurant, Enigma, in Geneva

64 days in Chicago: The story of Operation Midway Blitz President Donald Trump’s federal immigration enforcement operation led to most surreal autumn in Chicago history. What happened during those 64 days will be remembered for a long time.

What federal agents left behind during Operation Midway Blitz will be remembered in Chicago for a long time.

Geneva commission again denies demolition request for landmarked structure at old Mill Race Inn site Shodeen President Dave Patzelt, who brought forward the demolition request, says an appeal of the decision has been filed with the City Council.

Some say it’s an eyesore. Others appeal to its history. Some want to see it repurposed, others call for its demolition.

St. Charles considering development plan with restaurants, retail for former Pheasant Run Resort site The development proposal is for the last remaining property at the site of the old Pheasant Run Resort, which closed in 2020 and was the scene of a devastating fire in 2022.

St. Charles is considering a redevelopment proposal for the former Pheasant Run Resort site that would turn the property into a number of commercial spaces for things like restaurants and retail spaces.

East Aurora School District 131 board approves $39.7 million tax levy The East Aurora District 131 school board recently approved a $39.7 million tax levy for the district, for taxes payable in 2026.

The East Aurora District 131 school board recently approved a $39.7 million tax levy for the district, for taxes payable in 2026.

Kane County Board OKs measure limiting immigration enforcement on county property The measure is intended to prohibit federal agents from using county property for staging, processing or operations.

Following a discussion on Monday, the Kane County Board moved to limit immigration enforcement actions on county property in response to President Donald Trump’s administration’s immigration crackdown.
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West Aurora District 129 launches 27 electric school buses funded by EPA grant The district began using the new buses in October, and they now make up more than one-third of West Aurora’s total school bus fleet.

The district recently got 27 new electric-powered buses and 28 charging stations after applying for and being awarded a grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Batavia City Council approves ordinance banning federal immigration actions on city property After a lengthy debate, Batavia’s City Council in a split vote recently approved an ordinance banning federal immigration enforcement actions on city property, as President Donald Trump’s administr…

After a lengthy debate, Batavia’s City Council in a split vote recently approved an ordinance banning federal immigration enforcement actions on city property, as President Donald Trump’s administration’s immigration crackdown stretches into its third month.

St. Charles adopts new rules for e-bikes, e-scooters The city recently updated its ordinance to outline where and how different types of e-bikes and e-scooters can be used.

The city joined scores of other suburban municipalities — from Highland Park to Park Ridge to Oak Lawn — enacting similar legislation in response to resident concerns about safety.

The driver in a crash that killed a 2-year-old at an Oswego Portillo’s location in July will not face criminal charges, according to Oswego Police.

Reps. Bill Foster, Lauren Underwood, local officials criticize SNAP uncertainty Tina Ruiz has been turning more to food pantries to provide food for her family recently. The 58-year-old Kane County resident is currently without access to SNAP. She is eating more soup these day…

Amid funding uncertainty for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP or food stamps, a number of Kane County-area elected officials spoke Friday at the Northern Illinois Food Bank about concerns over local food insecurity.

East Aurora School District moves to prohibit federal immigration actions on its property after incident at elementary school District leadership has criticized the effect a recent incident involving federal agents outside a district school is having on students.

East Aurora School District 131 is considering a resolution that would prohibit immigration enforcement actions on district property following a confrontation at a district school last weekend.

Batavia mulls ordinance banning federal immigration actions on city property Dozens of residents addressed the Batavia City Council on the issue, with the vast majority speaking in support of the proposed ordinance.

Batavia’s City Council is considering drafting an ordinance that would ban federal immigration enforcement on city-owned property, as a federal immigration crackdown continues in Chicago and its surrounding suburbs.

Kane County panel recommends measure showing support for immigrant rights amid federal immigration crackdown As the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement raids continue across the Chicago area, a Kane County committee is moving forward a resolution expressing support for immigrant rights.

As the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement raids continue across the Chicago area, a Kane County committee is moving forward a resolution expressing support for immigrant rights.

New details emerge in fatal stabbing at Oswego Chick-fil-A The incident early Wednesday morning at the Chick-fil-A restaurant on the 2700 block of Route 34 in Oswego left one dead and another hospitalized.

More details here: trib.al/rGEJlic

Charges have been approved in connection with a stabbing Wednesday morning at a Chick-fil-A in Oswego that left a delivery driver dead and a maintenance worker hospitalized.

Starting July 1, Kane County residents will see a hike in the current gas tax (from $0.05 to $0.08 per gallon) and the re-instituting of a 1% grocery tax in unincorporated areas as the state’s is set to expire in the new year.

Details here:

Kane County public safety leaders criticize proposed budget cuts The pushback comes after the Kane County Board on Tuesday OK’d the county finance director making a draft budget with cuts to county offices.

At the Kane County Board Judicial and Public Safety Committee meeting on Thursday, elected officials criticized the board’s recent attempts to cut down the county budget for the coming year amid a looming shortfall.