The city of Aurora will host the 20th annual Winter Garden of Youth Art exhibit from Dec. 8 through Jan. 20, 2018 at City Hall. (City of Aurora photo)

AURORA

Police investigate bank robbery on Ogden Ave.

Aurora police are assisting the FBI in the investigation of a bank robbery that occurred around 11:30 a.m. Nov. 21 at the Fifth Third Bank in the 2000 block of Ogden Avenue, Aurora.

According to police, a man walked up to a bank teller and demanded cash then walked out of the bank with an undisclosed amount of money.

The suspect was described as a white man, thought to be in his 20s or 30s, standing about 6-feet with a small build, the FBI said. He was carrying a black messenger bag and wearing a brown hat, dark blue winter coat, black winter gloves and black sunglasses.

The FBI, which warned the man should be considered armed and dangerous, is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest.

Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to contact the FBI at (312) 421-6700. No injuries were reported.

GENEVA

Cougars open annual Winter Coat drive

The Kane County Cougars will gather donations of outwear through Dec. 15 as part of their annual Winter Coat Drive.

Donors are welcome to stop by the Cougars administrative office at Northwestern Medicine Field (34W002 Cherry Lane, Geneva, IL 60134) on week days between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to donate winter coats for those in need this holiday season.

Donations of new or gently-used winter coats for infants, children and adults are all encouraged. Fans will receive one undated reserved seat ticket voucher valid for a 2018 regular season Cougars game with each donated item. There is a maximum of 10 complimentary ticket vouchers per fan. 

In partnership with the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans, all donated coats will be given to local families and individuals in need of cold-weather outerwear this winter.

For more information, contact the Cougars front office at 630-232-8811. 

GENEVA

RTA plays public hearing on Dec. 12

The Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors is hosting a series of public hearings throughout the region, including in Geneva, before considering its 2018 proposed operating budgets and capital programs for the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace.

The Geneva public hearing will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Dec. 12 in the auditorium of the Kane County Government Center, 719 S. Batavia Ave.

Residents are invited to attend the meeting to share their comments on the budget, capital program and strategic plan.

AURORA

Annual Winter Garden of Youth Art exhibit opens

The Aurora Public Art Commission will host the Opening Reception of the 20th annual Winter Garden of Youth Art exhibit on Friday, Dec.  8 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Place.

On display through Jan. 20, 2018, the Winter Garden of Youth Art is a dynamic exhibit of works of art by Aurora students in kindergarten through 12th grade from 31 schools. All the works of art are chosen by art teachers or other faculty members from each school.

Participating schools include: Allen, Aurora Christian, Bardwell, Beaupre, Brady, Benavides, Dieterich, East High, Fred Rodgers, Freeman, Gates, Greenman, Hall, Herget, Hermes, Hill, Hope Wall, IMSA, Jewel, Johnson, Krug, McCleery, Nicholson, Oak Park, O’Donnell, Rollins, St. Rita, Simmons, Smith, Studio Nafisa and West High.

In this year’s exhibit, a variety of mediums will be on display, including paintings in acrylic, tempera, oil and watercolor; drawings in charcoal, pastel and pencil; printmaking, photography, sculptures, computer arts, jewelry, ceramics and 2D and 3D collages.

Visitors can view the exhibit for free during the opening reception and every Wednesday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

ST. CHARLES

City considers sanctions against massage parlor

The city St. Charles Liquor Control Commission is considering sanctions against a massage business facing charges of misdemeanor prostitution and other ordinance violations.

According to a statement last week, Mayor Raymond Rogina, acting as liquor control commissioner, conducted a Nov. 13 hearing to consider ordinance violations cited Jan. 11 and Jan. 17, including charges of misdemeanor prostitution, at Shangri-La Massage & Spa, 2015 Dean St., Suite 7A.

On Nov. 27, Rogina entered a finding that there was a preponderance of the evidence of seven ordinance violations.

Rogina directed counsel for Shangri-La Massage & Spa by Dec. 18, 2017, to either provide a written mitigation document or appear before the St. Charles Liquor Commission.

COUNTY

Deadline approaches for mail ballot for primary

Wednesday, Dec. 20 is the deadline is coming up to request a vote by mail ballot for the March 20 primary.

Local offices include county clerk, county sheriff, county treasurer, regional superintendent of schools, odd-numbered County Board districts and precinct committeeman.

Statewide, probably the biggest hoopla will be regarding the race for Illinois governor and lieutenant governor. Other elected positions in state government — attorney general, secretary of state, comptroller and treasure — will be on the ballot, as well.

Elections for the office of Illinois House of Representatives and Illinois State Senate will take place in 2018. All 118 House seats are up for election in 2018, and a total of 39 seats out of the chamber’s 59 seats are up for election in 2018.

On the federal level, all of Illinois’ 18 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives will be up for election in 2018.

AURORA

Applications due soon for community event funding

The city of Aurora is inviting community organizations and neighborhood groups to apply for Neighborhood Festival Funding Grants to assist with public community events in 2018.

Grants are available for groups that are hosting public events that acquaint Aurora residents with each other while educating participants about the community. Funds must be used for support services at the events, which can include rental of equipment, rental of tables or chairs, general liability insurance, security or emergency personnel.

Grants are available for up to $1,500. Available funding will be distributed among all eligible applicants.

The deadline to submit applications is Dec. 15 for events planned for Jan. 1 through June 30, 2018; and March 1, 2018, for events running from July 1 through Dec. 31, 2018.

Events that have received funding in the past include Roots Aurora, the LaSalle Street Car Show, Juneteenth, and Dia De Los Muertos.

Application documents can be obtained at www.aurora-il.org/festivalfunding or at the Aurora Community Services Department, 51 E. Galena Blvd in downtown Aurora.

Applications can be  submitted in person to the same location or via email to dhakala@aurora-il.org.

–Kane County News Briefs–