Linda Girardi

Freelance Reporter at The Beacon News

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Articles

Oswego may relocate dog park

1 week ago | chicagotribune.com | Linda Girardi

Oswego trustees as a committee of the whole Tuesday evening will discuss the feasibility of relocating the dog park in the village due to declining use and revenue. Trustees in 2021 expressed support for the creation of a dog park in the village as a way for families to have a “spot for recreation” with their pets.
Parade a staple of annual PrairieFest celebration in Oswego

1 week ago | chicagotribune.com | Linda Girardi

Crowds of families and friends lined the streets along the parade route Sunday during Oswego’s annual PrairieFest celebration in Oswego. The parade – part of four days of attractions at PrairieFest – featured a 1950s theme to honor the 75th anniversary of the Oswegoland Park District. The first of the units were members of the Oswego Fire Protection District, Oswego Police Department, Kendall County Sheriff’s Office and Oswego American Legion Post 675.
Oswego trustees examine results of community survey

1 week ago | chicagotribune.com | Linda Girardi

Oswego trustees recently reviewed results of a community survey conducted last winter. The survey process is intended to gather information to improve municipal services and help guide long-range planning as well as respond to the needs of the community, officials said. This is the fourth survey administered for Oswego by ETC Institute. Previous surveys in the village were done in 2023, 2018 and 2016, according to Oswego officials.
Contract extension approved for West Aurora School District superintendent

2 weeks ago | chicagotribune.com | Linda Girardi

The West Aurora School District 129 board recently approved a one-year extension of Superintendent Michael Smith’s contract. “Dr. Smith has the full support from the school board, as can be seen by the unanimous consent to extend his contract with the district another year,” West Aurora School District Board President Richard Kerns said in a response to questions from The Beacon-News.
Oswego OKs annexation agreement for proposed residential development at Wolfs Crossing and Douglas roads

3 weeks ago | chicagotribune.com | Linda Girardi

The Oswego Village Board recently approved an annexation agreement and rezoning for a proposed multi-unit residential development at Wolfs Crossing and Douglas roads. South Barrington-based Projades LLC proposes to build Jade Estates of Oswego with fewer units than was originally requested. The proposal is now for 52 residential units on about 8 acres on the southwest corner of Wolfs Crossing and Douglas roads in a currently unincorporated part of Kendall County near Oswego.
Salary hikes OK’d for West Aurora School District administrators

1 month ago | chicagotribune.com | Linda Girardi

The West Aurora School District 129 board recently approved salary increases for administrators for the coming school year. The raises will cover approximately 108 administrators for the 2025-26 school year, officials said. “The majority of increases were 4%,” West Aurora Associate Superintendent of Operations Angie Smith told The Beacon-News in response to questions via email.
West Aurora School District renews food service contract with OrganicLife

1 month ago | chicagotribune.com | Linda Girardi

The West Aurora School District 129 board recently voted unanimously to renew the district’s food service contract with Chicago-based OrganicLife for the 2025-26 school year. OrganicLife has been the district’s food service provider for the past six years. The new contract with OrganicLife has an increase in cost of 3.6% based on the Consumer Price Index, West Aurora School District Associate Superintendent Angie Smith said. West Aurora students do receive free breakfast and lunch.
Three West Aurora School District educators appointed to new roles

1 month ago | chicagotribune.com | Linda Girardi

West Aurora School District 129 has appointed three educators to new roles for the 2025-26 school year. The appointments are Crystal Dvorak as principal of McCleery Elementary School, Peter Linden as assistant principal of Fearn Elementary School and Lindsey Pilmer as assistant principal at Goodwin Elementary School. Dvorak currently serves as assistant principal of Schneider Elementary School, district officials said.
Project to feature 113 townhomes approved in Oswego

1 month ago | chicagotribune.com | Linda Girardi

Oswego trustees recently approved a 113-unit townhome development that was delayed after the 2008 housing crash. Sierra Tango Pine Ridge, LLC was granted approval to amend a major planned unit development and preliminary planned unit development and plat for Pine Ridge Club B which reflects a reduction in housing units. The 22.53-acre site is at the northeast and northwest corners of Mill Road and Heatherwood Drive in the village.
New member approved for West Aurora School District board

1 month ago | chicagotribune.com | Linda Girardi

The West Aurora School District board on Monday night chose Megan Jones, a manager in the Adult Education Department at Waubonsee Community College, to fill the vacancy created when Thomas St. Jules resigned from the board earlier this spring. St. Jules stepped down from the West Aurora school board in March after being appointed as an associate judge in the 16th Judicial Circuit Court in St. Charles. St. Jules was midway through his second four-year term on the board.