News
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New Plaques Added to Discover Historic Batavia Walk
BATAVIA, IL, June 3,2026) – If you've noticed new Discover Historic Batavia signs appearing throughout the community, there is now even more local history to explore.The Batavia Historical Society has expanded its Discover Historic Batavia program with the addition of 10 new historic plaques, bringing the total number of markers throughout the city to 20. The program highlights significant people, places, businesses, and events that have helped shape Batavia's history and identity.The original 10 plaques
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Sip, Savor, Support: Cocktails in the Park Marks 15 Years in Downtown Batavia
Raise a glass and support your local downtown—Cocktails in the Park, Batavia MainStreet’s largest annual fundraiser, returns on Saturday, July 25 from 7:00–10:00 p.m. at scenic Appleton Park, located behind City Hall at 100 N. Island Ave. in downtown Batavia.Hosted by Batavia MainStreet, this signature summer event brings together great food, live music, craft cocktails, and community spirit—all under the stars along the beautiful Fox River. Proceeds benefit the nonprofit organization’s year-round efforts
SciTech Announces Adam Sparks as New Director of Programs and Education
[Batavia, Illinois] — [06.01.2026] — SciTech is proud to announce the appointment of AdamSparks as the organization’s new Director of Programs and Education. Bringing nearly two decades of experience in education, nonprofit leadership, and program development, Sparks will lead the continued growth and innovation of SciTech’s STEM education initiatives and community programming. Throughout his career, Sparks has dedicated himself to creating meaningful educational experiences rooted in relationship
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Batavia Public School District 101 Invites Community Members to Apply for Board of Education Vacancies
Batavia, IL — Batavia Public School District 101 is inviting community members interested in public service and public education to apply for two vacancies on the Board of Education. “We encourage community members who are passionate about public education, thoughtful collaboration, and student success to consider applying for these vacancies as we continue working together to serve our students, families, staff, and community,” said Board of Education President Craig Meadows. Applications must be
FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT TO OPEN ARROWWOOD POINT ARCHERY COMPLEX, JUNE 6
Public invited to ribbon cutting, archery demonstration and free “Try Archery” GENEVA, IL — Take aim at a new outdoor adventure this summer, as the Forest Preserve District of Kane County invites the public to the grand opening of the new Arrowwood Point Archery Complex at Mill Creek Greenway Forest Preserve in Elburn, on Saturday, June 6, at 11 a.m. This family-friendly event will give visitors of all-ages the chance to try archery for free, with no experience necessary. Participants can learn the
New Activities Added to Batavia Flag Day Celebration
BATAVIA, Ill. — The community is invited to attend the annual Batavia Flag Day Celebration on Sunday, June 14. This year’s event commemorates America 250, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.The celebration includes the following activities scheduled throughout the afternoon:From 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at the Jeffery D. Schielke Government Center in downtown Batavia, representative flags of the Revolutionary War through today with several historic flags will be on
Celebrate at the first Batavia Community Pride worship service
Local congregations will be gathering together to celebrate Batavia Community Pride during Pride Month on Sunday, June 14 with “A Church for All” at the Congregational Church of Batavia. The participating churches are all different in worship style, denomination and theological nuance. But they all affirm that all people are made in the image of the Divine, and that definitely includes members of the LGBTQ community. The service is open to all, including anyone who may be looking for a safe, affirming
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Batavia Public School District 101 Announces Upcoming Board of Education Vacancies
Batavia Public School District 101 announces that two members of the Board of Education have submitted their resignations, effective immediately: Katy Swiecicki and Danielle Sligar. On behalf of the Board of Education, we extend our sincere appreciation for their service, leadership, and commitment to the students, staff, families, and community of Batavia. Serving on a Board of Education requires personal time dedicated to thoughtful discussion, preparation, decision-making, and community engagement.
Batavia Public School District 101 Welcomes Two New Administrators
Batavia Public School District 101 is pleased to announce the hiring of two new administrators who will join the District’s leadership team beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. Lissette Jacobson has been named the District’s next Director of Curriculum and Multilingual Learning, and Joshua Louis has been named the next Principal of Rotolo Middle School. Both administrators bring extensive educational leadership experience and a strong commitment to student-centered learning, relationship-building, and
Batavia Public School District 101’s Music Education Program Receives National Recognition for the Twelfth Time
Batavia, IL—Batavia Public School District 101 (BPS101) has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. BPS101 has received this award 12 times in the last 13 years, and it is one of only 31 districts in Illinois to receive the designation this year. Now in its 26th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in providing
Tri-Cities Chambers Launch “Tri-Cities Canstruction”
A Large-Scale Design Competition Using Canned Food to Fight Hunger Open to the public, this event takes place at Waubonsee Community College’s Academic and Professional Center in Sugar Grove February 2027 BATAVIA, IL, GENEVA, IL, and ST. CHARLES, IL — The Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles Chambers of Commerce are proud to announce the launch of the inaugural Tri-Cities Canstruction, a large-scale community design competition that combines creativity, engineering, architecture, and philanthropy to fight
Chop Around the Clock Returns for the 35th Year
This year marks the 35th year Foltos’ Tonsorial Parlor in Batavia, Illinois has produced Chop Around the Clock. Beginning on Friday, June 5, 2026 at 4 p.m., all the way through to Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 4 p.m., we will cut hair and donate all the proceeds to the Ronald McDonald’s Children’s Charities. This is a kid-friendly event. This 24-hour fun-filled event will include music, dancing, bake sale, raffles, open mic, poetry, hot dogs…the fun never stops! If you want to help out, let us know, so we can
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City of Batavia Launches Roll Smart: Know the Code. Ride the Road.
Education campaign explains new e-mobility ordinances, emphasizes summer safety BATAVIA, IL (May 14, 2026) — The City of Batavia and the Batavia Police Department are launching a communitywide summer education campaign to help residents better understand Batavia’s new e-mobility ordinances and promote safe riding practices for all bicyclists and riders.The “Roll Smart: Know the Code. Ride the Road.” campaign will focus on educating the public about the safe and legal use of electric bicycles, e-scooters,
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The Batavia Farmers' Market Celebrates 32 Years Downtown
BATAVIA, IL- The Saturday Morning Batavia Farmers’ Market returns May 16, 2026, for its milestone 32nd outdoor season, running every Saturday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM through October 24 on North River Street. With nearly 60 vendors each week, the Saturday Market offers an expansive selection of locally grown produce, farm-raised meats and eggs, fresh baked goods, honey, and more. Vendors are required to grow, harvest, or produce at least 75% of the products they sell.Returning favorites include Flat Tire
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New Hollywood Casino Aurora Adds Two Renowned Chicago Restaurants to its Boulevard Food & Drink Hall that will Debut this Summer
The dynamic dining experience at the new land-based casino and hotel will now also include Urbanbelly and Tabo Sushi in its star-studded lineup CHICAGO (April 21, 2026) -- Hollywood Casino Aurora today announced, in partnership with McClain Camarota Hospitality (MCH), that the Boulevard Food & Drink Hall at its soon-to-open new location will feature two additional restaurants: Urbanbelly and Tabo Sushi. The two restaurants join the previously announced line-up that includes celebrity chef Stephanie
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Raise a Glass: Batavia Uncorked Wine Event Returns June 6
BATAVIA, IL – Sip, savor and celebrate! Tickets are now on sale for Batavia’s favorite outdoor wine event on June 6. Hosted by Batavia Park District, Batavia Uncorked is a casual outdoor wine event featuring unique wines along with food, live music and the relaxed ambience of The Batavia Riverwalk at the Peg Bond Center.Attendees receive a commemorative wine glass and either 15 or 10 one-ounce pours depending on ticket status. Sip, stroll and discover an impressive variety of red, white and rose wine from
Vanguard Gifted Academy Students Join Millions Globally for World Maths Day 2026
This week, students at Vanguard Gifted Academy joined an international community of learners to participate in World Maths Day, one of the world’s largest education events. Hosted by 3P Learning, the event challenges students to test their mathematical fluency through live, 60-second "Mathletics" rounds against peers from across the globe. While the event features a global leaderboard, the focus for Vanguard students was centered on personal growth and the mastery of "fact fluency." Rather than
PENN Entertainment Sets June 24 as Grand Opening Date for New Hollywood Casino Aurora in Illinois
New Land-Based Entertainment Destination Includes Four-Star Hotel, Event Center and World-Class Dining Experiences WYOMISSING, PA and AURORA, Ill. (March 19, 2026) -- PENN Entertainment, Inc. (“PENN” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: PENN) announced today that it expects to open the new land-based Hollywood Casino Aurora to the public on Wednesday, June 24, pending customary regulatory approvals. This will be the second all-new PENN property to open in the Chicagoland region following the grand opening of the
Your Next Client Is in the Audience: Public Speaking as a Growth Strategy for Batavia Businesses
Public speaking converts expertise into business growth — through investor pitches, conference panels, and chamber events, every speaking slot is a concentrated opportunity to acquire clients, establish credibility, and generate content that keeps working long after the applause. For business owners in the Batavia area and across the Fox Valley corridor, that opportunity arrives regularly: the Chicago metro's dense calendar of professional events, industry meetups, and chamber programs means you're never
Standing Out on Social Media in a 9.6 Million-Person Market: A Budget Guide for Batavia Businesses
Operating in the Chicago-Naperville-Joliet metro — the third-largest in the United States — means your social media feed competes for attention across 9.6 million people and thousands of local businesses. But a professional social media presence isn't determined by marketing spend. According to Gitnux's 2026 Market Data Report, 91% of small businesses with fewer than 10 employees actively use social media for marketing, yet only 55% have a dedicated strategy document in place. That gap is where most
How to Turn Real-Time Customer Data Into Smarter Business Decisions
Real-time customer data refers to live information about how people interact with your website, app, store, or support channels. It includes clicks, purchases, chat transcripts, cart activity, location data, and product usage signals as they happen. Businesses that use this data well can make faster, smarter decisions about marketing, product changes, inventory, and customer service.What This Means For Your Business Real-time data enables faster decision-making during live campaigns or high-traffic
Batavia Students Join Global Scientists for Great Backyard Bird Count
BATAVIA, IL — While many students were looking forward to the weekend, students at Vanguard Gifted Academy were busy contributing to global science. Armed with tablets and binoculars, students spent Friday, Feb. 13, participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count, a real-world community science initiative that helps researchers at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology track bird populations worldwide. “At Vanguard, we believe that education should be authentic,” says Amy Trujillo, Head of School. “Participating
Safeguarding Your Business in the Digital Age: Transaction Security Essentials
In today’s connected economy, online transactions drive most modern business operations — from small-scale e-commerce to global B2B platforms. Yet every digital interaction carries a question of trust: is this transaction safe? Establishing security across digital touchpoints protects not only customer data but also brand reputation, regulatory compliance, and long-term business continuity.Key Takeaways for Safeguarding Online Transactions Adopt layered encryption and multi-factor authentication to
Turn Customers Into Champions: Smart Referral Strategies for Small Businesses
You’ve just delivered great service. Your customer is happy — maybe even thrilled. But what happens next? Too often, small business owners focus all their energy on customer acquisition while underutilizing their most powerful growth engine: existing satisfied customers. A well-executed referral strategy doesn't just bring in leads — it builds community trust and amplifies your reputation in ways paid ads never could.Why Referrals Matter — Especially Now Referrals consistently rank among the most
Your Brand Is What It Appears to Be
Every small business is selling two things: the actual product or service, and the way people feel about it. Trust doesn’t bloom in a vacuum—it grows out of consistency, personality, and attention to visual cues. Whether it’s a logo, color scheme, font choice, or even the texture of packaging, visual branding has a way of speaking long before words ever do. For small business owners, getting this right isn’t about copying the look of larger brands—it’s about creating something that feels like it could
Dressing the Digital Window: How Local Boutiques Can Win with Stunning Visuals Online
In the battle for attention online, local boutiques often feel like they're shouting into a canyon while big-box retailers and algorithm-trained influencers echo louder with every scroll. Yet the digital space doesn’t only reward the loudest—it rewards the best visuals. For small, independent boutiques, elevating their aesthetic presence online isn’t just about keeping up appearances; it’s about building identity, trust, and emotional resonance with the customer who’s looking for something that feels
Real Estate Success Begins with Smarter Client Engagement
Success in real estate hinges on skillfully managing both operations and client relationships. Complex documentation and shifting client expectations are constant demands in this field. Yet, these challenges can open doors for growth and efficiency when approached strategically. With a focus on optimizing operations, there’s potential to streamline processes and deepen client trust. Embracing effective strategies helps create lasting connections that drive ongoing success.Revolutionizing Real Estate
Empower Your LLC with the Right Business Banking Choices
Starting an LLC is a defining step that carries a lot of energy and promise. A crucial decision early on is opening a business bank account tailored to your needs. This decision extends beyond separating personal and business funds—it can unlock several opportunities that drive your LLC forward. Access to modern banking tools and services plays a vital role in navigating the complexities of managing business finances. Thoughtful banking choices provide the foundation for long-term growth and financial
Boss Moves: How Adobe Acrobat Helps Women Entrepreneurs Get It Done
Being an entrepreneur is all about juggling, innovating, and growing—but what if you had a secret weapon to make it easier? Enter Adobe Acrobat, a powerful ally that streamlines your day-to-day, helping you work smarter while leaving more room for what truly drives your business forward. This Women’s Small Business Month, we’re celebrating the ways Adobe Acrobat is empowering women entrepreneurs to elevate their hustle, simplify workflows, and realize bigger dreams. Acrobat AI Assistant: Check out
Create a Future-Ready Business by Switching to a Paperless Workflow
Imagine a world where your desk isn’t cluttered with towering stacks of paper, where finding a document takes seconds instead of hours, and where your business operations flow smoothly without manual errors and inefficiencies. Transitioning your business to a paperless workflow can make this a reality. This digital transformation not only enhances operational efficiency but also aligns with sustainable practices, reducing your carbon footprint. By leveraging modern technology, you can secure your data and
