News
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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
PLAN FOR TRAFFIC/PARKING DELAYS AT FABYAN WEST DURING PROM SATURDAYS
Expect longer walks to photo locations GENEVA, IL — It’s prom season, and with that will come hundreds of visitors to Fabyan West Forest Preserve in Geneva on spring Saturdays, to take pre-prom photos. The Forest Preserve District of Kane County is asking the public to plan ahead when visiting Fabyan during prom season, and to prepare for increased traffic, parking congestion, wait times and potentially longer walks. Traditionally, students and their families gather at Fabyan West Forest Preserve
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Batavia GREEN Program Returns for Second Year
Expanding Energy Savings Opportunities for Residents BATAVIA, IL (April 6, 2026) — The City of Batavia is launching the second year of its GREEN (Grants for Residential Energy Efficiency in Neighborhoods) Program, building on a highly successful first year that helped residents reduce energy use, lower utility bills, and improve home efficiency. Funded through the City’s single-use bag fee and supported this year by additional Kane County grant funding, the program continues to invest in sustainable
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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
Batavia Chamber of Commerce Announces Date for the 2026 Volunteer Fair
Open to the public, this event takes place at the Batavia Public Library on Tuesday, April 28 beginning at 2 p.m. Batavia, Ill. – TheBatavia Chamber of Commerce is proud to host a Volunteer Fair on Tuesday, April 28, from 2 to 6 p.m. This event brings together more than 35 nonprofit organizations under one roof, offering a unique opportunity for individuals to explore diverse avenues of community service. At the heart of every vibrant community is the spirit of giving back. The Volunteer Fair aims to
Batavia Chamber of Commerce Announces 2025 Ole Award Honorees
Batavia Chamber of Commerce to Honor Businesses Who Exemplify Confidence and Investment in Batavia as Ole Award Winners Seven Batavia businesses were named recipients of the 2025 Ole Award, with two organizations named Civic Impact Award winners. Businesses who had final city occupancy permits by December 31, 2025, were eligible for these honors. All recipients will be honored at Inspire 2026: A Celebration of Those Who Inspire Us! event, scheduled for Thursday, April 23. A committee of Batavia
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
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Discover Delicious Dining with the 2026 Downtown Batavia Restaurant Guide!
BATAVIA, IL — What’s for dinner? Let Batavia MainStreet help you decide! The newly updated 2026 Downtown Batavia Restaurant Guide features 35 incredible local businesses across Downtown Batavia. Highlighting the best Bars & Breweries, Coffee & Treats, and Restaurants, the guide makes it easier than ever to eat local and explore our vibrant dining scene all year long.Friday night out. Brunch with friends. Family dinner. Solo lunch break. Celebration dinner. Whatever’s on your calendar, Downtown Batavia has a
FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT ANNOUNCES SPRING BIRDING PROGRAMS
GENEVA, IL — The Forest Preserve District of Kane County has announced its lineup of spring birding programs, scheduled March through May at forest preserves throughout Kane County. The seasonal “Bird Appreciation” series offers residents opportunities to observe migratory birds, build bird-identification skills and hear from regional experts. Most programs are free and many are open to all ages, and include guided walks and family-friendly educational activities. Other birding programs are part of our
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
Shop Announcement for the 2026 Season of The Batavia Boardwalk Shops
Batavia, IL - Batavia MainStreet is excited to announce that the 2026 season of the Batavia Boardwalk Shops kicks off on Friday, May 8, marking the seventh season of this beloved downtown program. This one-of-a-kind shopping experience brings together 10 unique retail shops in a single, vibrant location, offering everything from handcrafted goods and specialty foods to books, fashion, home décor, and more.Nestled in the heart of downtown Batavia, these charming micro-shops serve as a hub of creativity,
Vanguard Gifted Academy Launches Spring STEM Enrichment Series for Gifted and 2e Learners in Batavia
BATAVIA, IL – Vanguard Gifted Academy is launching a major community outreach initiative this spring to ensure high-level STEAM enrichment is accessible to all students in the Fox Valley. By hosting free after-hours events and partnering with local organizations for summer scholarships, the school is working to remove barriers for curious learners in the Batavia area. “We want to make sure that every student who wants this level of challenge gets it,” says Amy Trujillo, Head of School. “Our after-hours
Linda Schielke Named 2025 Batavia Citizen of the Year
Batavia Woman’s Club is this year’s Spirit of Batavia honoree. The Batavia Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce Linda Schielke as the 2025 Citizen of the Year (COTY), honoring her decades of service, leadership, and unwavering dedication to the Batavia community. The Batavia Chamber of Commerce will honor Linda on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at the Chamber’s Inspire 2026: A Celebration of Those Who Inspire Us! annual awards event. Additionally, the Batavia Woman’s Club is the Spirit of Batavia
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
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
