Lisa Marie Farver

1 week ago | patch.com | Lisa Marie Farver

WHEATON, IL — The Wheaton City Council will consider a request Monday for setback and parking ordinance variations that would permit crews to build an 8,400 square foot addition to Franklin Middle School. The expansion is part of work funded by a $151.5 million bond referendum District 200 presented to voters in the November 2024 election. The majority of voters favored the referendum, which will also fund work on Monroe and Edison Middle Schools.

1 week ago | patch.com | Lisa Marie Farver

NAPERVILLE, IL — Naperville residents will have two new methods of recycling items starting June 2. The Clothing and Textile and Food Scrap Recycling Programs will be available through Aug. 29. Food Scrap Recycling Program Naperville first teamed up with Groot Industries in 2024 to introduce the Food Scrap Recycling Program. Again, residents can drop off their food scraps at the parking lot at Wolf's Crossing Road and 91st Street or at the CNG Station at 1720 Jefferson Ave.

1 week ago | patch.com | Lisa Marie Farver

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Pridefest will return to Fishel Park on June 7, bringing DJ music, a food truck and family-oriented activities that are expected to draw hundreds of people, EQDG board co-chair Enrique Reyes told Patch. This marks the second year Pridefest will be held at Fishel Park. In previous year's the festival was "a smaller version" held at a local church, Reyes said. He told Patch more than 400 people attended last year's Pridefest.

1 week ago | patch.com | Lisa Marie Farver

ILLINOIS — In this week's Good News, Illinois, roundup, we celebrate neighbors and nonprofits who make a difference by lifting other's up, and a gym owner who's helped lift local athletes up for more than 50 years. A Shorewood board game café will host a day-and-a-half-long trivia game planned by a Plainfield resident to break a Guinness World Record. Francis "Rudy" Ruettiger has trained dozens of Joliet and Will County athletes who have become professional athletes and college stars.

1 week ago | patch.com | Lisa Marie Farver

NAPERVILLE, IL — A Naperville man who "violently" killed his family dog, Rocco, nearly a year after being pulled over with a blood alcohol concentration of .131 has been sentenced to eight years in prison, according to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office. Nathan Gonzalez, 36, pleaded guilty to aggravated DUI and animal cruelty in connection with the December 2023 and September 2024 incidents. His sentence comprises a five-year sentence and a three-year sentence for the charges.