Molly Morrow
@mollymorrow.bsky.social
reporting on aurora and kane county for the beacon-news / @chicagotribune.com. uchicago alum. frequently haunting the 606. send me tips at mmorrow@chicagotribune.com.
Reposted by Molly Morrow
The East Aurora District 131 school board recently approved a $39.7 million tax levy for the district, for taxes payable in 2026.
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.
trib.al
November 21, 2025 at 5:00 AM
The East Aurora District 131 school board recently approved a $39.7 million tax levy for the district, for taxes payable in 2026.
Reposted by Molly Morrow
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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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.
trib.al
November 19, 2025 at 12:31 PM
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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Reposted by Molly Morrow
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.
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.
trib.al
November 18, 2025 at 8:50 AM
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.
Reposted by Molly Morrow
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.
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…
trib.al
November 15, 2025 at 1:33 PM
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.
Reposted by Molly Morrow
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.
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.
trib.al
November 12, 2025 at 3:35 AM
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.
Following a nearly three-month investigation, the department says the crash “was caused by driver error” and that criminal charges weren’t warranted.
No criminal charges for driver in Oswego Portillo’s crash that killed 2-year-old, police say
The driver involved in a crash at an Oswego Portillo’s location that killed a 2-year-old boy in July will not face criminal charges, the Oswego Police Department said on Wednesday. Following a near…
trib.al
November 10, 2025 at 6:24 AM
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.
Reposted by Molly Morrow
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.
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…
trib.al
November 9, 2025 at 1:34 PM
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.
Reposted by Molly Morrow
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.
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.
trib.al
November 1, 2025 at 3:30 AM
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.
Reposted by Molly Morrow
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.
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.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 1, 2025 at 11:58 PM
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.
Reposted by Molly Morrow
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.
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.
trib.al
October 28, 2025 at 12:00 AM
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.
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.
A Kankakee man, 19, has been charged with first-degree murder following a fatal stabbing on Wednesday at an Oswego Chick-fil-A that left a delivery driver dead and a maintenance worker hospitalized, according to the Oswego Police Department.
Kankakee man, 19, charged with first-degree murder after fatal stabbing at Oswego Chick-fil-A
A Kankakee man, 19, has been charged with first-degree murder following a fatal stabbing on Wednesday at an Oswego Chick-fil-A that left a delivery driver dead and a maintenance worker hospitalized…
trib.al
October 25, 2025 at 6:33 PM
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:
Details here:
As budget discussions continue, the Kane County Board recently approved two tax-related proposals meant to generate revenue for the county.
Kane County Board OKs gas tax hike, grocery tax extension as budget discussions continue
As budget discussions continue, the Kane County Board recently discussed — and narrowly approved — two tax-related proposals meant to generate revenue for the county.
trib.al
October 25, 2025 at 6:22 PM
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:
Details here:
Reposted by Molly Morrow
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.
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.
www.chicagotribune.com
October 18, 2025 at 1:47 AM
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.
Reposted by Molly Morrow
Following a protest outside Aurora City Hall on Thursday, Mayor John Laesch is condemning federal immigration enforcement activity in the area.
Aurora Mayor John Laesch condemns federal immigration enforcement activity after protest at City Hall
Aurora Mayor John Laesch condemned federal immigration enforcement activity following a protest outside City Hall on Thursday.
trib.al
October 11, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Following a protest outside Aurora City Hall on Thursday, Mayor John Laesch is condemning federal immigration enforcement activity in the area.
Reposted by Molly Morrow
As a federal immigration crackdown ramps up in the Chicago area, a few dozen people gathered on Thursday afternoon in downtown Aurora to protest immigration enforcement activity in the area.
Protestors gather outside Aurora City Hall Thursday to decry federal immigration crackdown
A few dozen people gathered on Thursday afternoon outside City Hall in downtown Aurora to protest federal immigration enforcement activity in the area.
trib.al
October 10, 2025 at 1:32 AM
As a federal immigration crackdown ramps up in the Chicago area, a few dozen people gathered on Thursday afternoon in downtown Aurora to protest immigration enforcement activity in the area.
Reposted by Molly Morrow
East Aurora School District 131’s school board has approved a balanced budget for the school year.
East Aurora School District 131 board approves $263 million 2025-26 budget
The balanced budget totals about $263 million, per the district, with state dollars making up the largest share of its funding.
trib.al
September 20, 2025 at 3:00 PM
East Aurora School District 131’s school board has approved a balanced budget for the school year.
Reposted by Molly Morrow
A house fire response by the Aurora police and fire departments recently ended in the rescue of a 4-year-old dog, who appears to have guided a police investigator to his leash during the incident, body camera footage shows.
Dog rescued in Aurora house fire led investigator to leash while being rescued, body camera footage shows
No one else was inside the home besides the dog, Oakley, and no injuries were reported, according to the Aurora Police Department.
trib.al
September 18, 2025 at 9:56 PM
A house fire response by the Aurora police and fire departments recently ended in the rescue of a 4-year-old dog, who appears to have guided a police investigator to his leash during the incident, body camera footage shows.
Reposted by Molly Morrow
Federal immigration enforcement agents made arrests in Chicago and the suburb of West Chicago on Monday, while others were spotted in west suburban Aurora, officials and two state lawmakers said.
Federal immigration agents make arrests in Chicago, West Chicago with sightings in several other suburbs
Actions come one week after President Donald Trump’s Department of Homeland Security announced it was embarking on a surge of immigration enforcement actions in the Chicago region.
trib.al
September 15, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Federal immigration enforcement agents made arrests in Chicago and the suburb of West Chicago on Monday, while others were spotted in west suburban Aurora, officials and two state lawmakers said.
Reposted by Molly Morrow
In the latest attempt to solve a looming budget shortfall, the Kane County Board has OK’d a recommendation that county offices and departments reduce their expenses by roughly 8% from last year’s budget.
Kane County Board OKs recommendation that departments, offices reduce expenses to help close budget shortfall
The county is facing a multimillion-dollar shortfall that it has previously been dealing with by dipping into its cash reserves.
www.chicagotribune.com
September 12, 2025 at 12:33 AM
In the latest attempt to solve a looming budget shortfall, the Kane County Board has OK’d a recommendation that county offices and departments reduce their expenses by roughly 8% from last year’s budget.
Reposted by Molly Morrow
The city of Aurora is looking at pulling back on proposed financial support for the Aurora Civic Center Authority, which owns and operates the Paramount Theatre, leading some City Council members to express concerns.
Aurora City Council pushes back on possible reductions in support for Paramount
Council members cited resident pushback and possible effects on local businesses as the city looks at potentially reducing discussed financial support for the Aurora Civic Center Authority.
trib.al
August 14, 2025 at 11:30 PM
The city of Aurora is looking at pulling back on proposed financial support for the Aurora Civic Center Authority, which owns and operates the Paramount Theatre, leading some City Council members to express concerns.
Reposted by Molly Morrow
Aurora residents will likely see a slightly higher number on their water bill starting in July, after the City Council voted to raise water rates by 6% for each of the next two years to account for operating and capital needs for the Aurora water and sewer system.
Water rates to increase in Aurora starting in July
There will be a rate increase in July, and another jump next year to pay for operating and capital needs for the city’s water and sewer system.
trib.al
June 28, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Aurora residents will likely see a slightly higher number on their water bill starting in July, after the City Council voted to raise water rates by 6% for each of the next two years to account for operating and capital needs for the Aurora water and sewer system.
Reposted by Molly Morrow
On Sunday afternoon, members of the LGBTQ+ community, their families and allies gathered in downtown Aurora for the city’s sixth annual Pride Parade.
Aurora community gathers for annual Pride Parade on Sunday: ‘It’s what this country needs right now’
Crowds gathered in downtown Aurora on Sunday afternoon for the city’s annual Pride parade.
www.chicagotribune.com
June 8, 2025 at 10:00 PM
On Sunday afternoon, members of the LGBTQ+ community, their families and allies gathered in downtown Aurora for the city’s sixth annual Pride Parade.
Reposted by Molly Morrow
Over 18,000 people gathered over a 30-mile stretch across DuPage and Cook counties from Aurora to Chicago on Sunday to protest Trump administration policies.
Hands Across Chicagoland event stretches from Aurora to Chicago to protest Trump administration
Protestors gathered along sidewalks from Chicago to Aurora in a “human chain of solidarity” protesting Trump administration policies.
www.chicagotribune.com
May 18, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Over 18,000 people gathered over a 30-mile stretch across DuPage and Cook counties from Aurora to Chicago on Sunday to protest Trump administration policies.
Reposted by Molly Morrow
Chicago posted the seventh biggest population gain of any city in the country last year, leading a wave of growth that also lifted many suburbs, particularly those on the fringes of the metro area.
Chicago posts 7th largest population increase in nation, part of a growth spurt that also lifted many suburbs
Chicago added 22,164 residents between mid-2023 and mid-2024, new estimates from the U.S. Census show.
www.chicagotribune.com
May 15, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Chicago posted the seventh biggest population gain of any city in the country last year, leading a wave of growth that also lifted many suburbs, particularly those on the fringes of the metro area.
Update: Batavia joins other local govs in adopting a 1% grocery tax to replace the state one ending in January.
The Batavia City Council voted Monday night to approve a 1% grocery tax, joining scores of other municipalities in Illinois doing the same to replace a state grocery tax expiring in January.
Batavia joins other area municipalities in adopting 1% grocery tax
On Monday, the Batavia City Council voted unanimously to approve a local grocery tax to replace the state tax expiring in January.
www.chicagotribune.com
May 9, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Update: Batavia joins other local govs in adopting a 1% grocery tax to replace the state one ending in January.