Linda Girardi

Freelance Reporter at The Beacon News

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Articles

Oswego OKs annexation agreement for proposed residential development at Wolfs Crossing and Douglas roads

4 days 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 week 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 week 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

2 weeks 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

3 weeks 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.
Oswego festival puts spotlight on Illinois wineries

1 month ago | chicagotribune.com | Linda Girardi

Wine lovers flocked to Oswego over the weekend for the annual Wine on the Fox festival held at Hudson Crossing Park along the east bank of the Fox River in the village’s downtown. The region’s first outdoor spring festival – held Saturday and Sunday – featured more than 100 varietals and blends from Illinois wineries. Bill Fox of Oakbrook Terrace returned to visit his favorite wineries and get acquainted with new ones at the event.
Vacancy on West Aurora School District board may soon be filled

1 month ago | chicagotribune.com | Linda Girardi

The West Aurora School District board has identified a recommended candidate to fill the board seat recently vacated by Thomas St. Jules, West Aurora Director of Community Affairs Anna Gonzales said in a district statement. 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 school board.
Oswego trustees discuss options for possible grocery tax

1 month ago | chicagotribune.com | Linda Girardi

Oswego trustees recently discussed options concerning a possible 1% local grocery tax to offset the loss of money from an expiring state grocery tax. The Illinois General Assembly last summer voted to eliminate the state grocery tax and Gov. JB Pritzker signed it into law in August. The repeal of the 1% state grocery tax will take effect Jan. 1, 2026, Oswego Finance Director Andrea Lamberg said in a report to trustees.
Oswego reduces waiting period for video gambling license applications in the village’s downtown

1 month ago | chicagotribune.com | Linda Girardi

Oswego has reduced the one-year waiting period before establishments in the village’s downtown can apply for video gambling licenses. The Oswego Village Board recently voted 4-3 to reduce the amount of time from one year to six months for downtown restaurants, bars, breweries and wineries to be in business before they can obtain a video gambling license. The change to village code is only for establishments in the downtown tax increment financing district, village officials said.