Ghost bank
It hasn’t served customers for years, but the sign on a building purporting to be a long-shuttered bank harkens back to early 20th Century when the town of Virgil, in western Kane County, was also home to a general store, post office and creamery. (Photo by Jack McCarthy / Chronicle Media)

ELGIN

Police chief takes top job in Colorado city

Elgin Police Chief Jeffrey Swoboda is moving on to take the top law enforcement job in Fort Collins, Colo.

Both city announced the move last week.

“I am thrilled to offer this position to Chief Swoboda, as it is clear he is the top candidate for Fort Collins,” said Fort Collins City Manager Darin Atteberry. “In approximately 20 meetings with his Elgin Police Department colleagues, representatives from city hall, the mayor, city manager, the media, community organizations and neighborhood groups, I learned about his commitment to service, his passion for excellence and his ability to hold all to a high level of accountability.”

In the news release, Swoboda said he is “very excited and humbled to be chosen. I am looking forward to working with the community and the highly committed staff to reach the clearly stated goal of making Fort Collins the safest city in the country,” he said.

Swoboda’s employment is contingent until all post offer assessments are complete. His anticipated start date in Fort Collins is June 4, with an annual salary of $192,000.

The search for a new chief follows the resignation of former Fort Collins Police Chief John Hutto on May 12, 2017. Retired Aurora Police Chief Terry Jones has been serving as the interim chief there.

Swoboda has served the Elgin Police Department since 1992. He was sworn in as chief in 2016.

Fort Collins is the fourth largest city in Colorado, with a population of 70,00

ELGIN

Gingrich, Dean to speak at Judson’s Leadership Forum

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean will share the stage for Judson University’s seventh World Leaders Forum on Thursday.

The event, titled “A bipartisan conversation about leadership in divided times,” marks the first time since 2011 that Gingrich and Dean have shared a stage.

“In a world that is becoming increasingly politically divided, Judson University is honored to host a conversation highlighting the importance of civility in political discourse,” said Judson University President Dr. Gene Crume. “We believe in presenting our campus and our community with a balanced approach to understanding divergent ideologies by fostering respectful dialogue..

The community event will feature Gingrich and Dean’s keynote discussions. This event is open to a larger audience than the VIP Event, including Judson students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the local community.

Doors open at 1 p.m. and the event begins around 2 p.m.

Pricing information and answers to frequently asked questions can be found on the ticket purchasing website. For more information visit: www.judsonu.edu/wlf/contact/

COUNTY

Forest District offers wood chips to public

Back by popular demand, the Forest Preserve District of Kane County is offering free wood chips to the public in late April.

Wood chips will be available for pick up at two locations from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 21, and Sunday, April 22, at Burnidge Forest Preserve in Elgin and also at Big Rock Forest Preserve in Big Rock.

Forest Preserve District staff will be on hand to help load with a tractor at both sites from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 21. Afterward, the public may pick them up on their own through 5 p.m. Non-District machinery to load/unload is not permitted.

Residents should bring their own shovels and containers. The public is welcome to take as many wood chips as they can haul away.

The chips are from hardwood trees removed throughout Kane County because of storm damage or clearing efforts. None of the wood chips are from ash trees.

Burnidge Forest Preserve is located at 14N035 Coombs Road, Elgin. Big Rock Forest Preserve is located 46W072 Jericho Road, Big Rock. Signs within both preserves will direct people to the pile location.

For more information, contact the Forest Preserve District of Kane County at 630-232-5980, visit us at www.kaneforest.com or find us on social media by searching @forestpreserve.

AURORA

City extends yard waste pickup one week

Aurora’s Spring Yard Waste Collection program will now run through Friday, April 20. During this time, residents do not have to use waste stickers to dispose of yard waste.

Yard waste must be placed in a 30-gallon kraft paper bag and not exceed 60 pounds. Yard waste mixed with garbage or yard waste in a garbage can or plastic bag will not be collected.

Beginning Monday, April 23, a waste sticker, which is the same one used for excess garbage, must be attached to the bag.

The Bundled Brush Collection program also begins on Monday, April 2 and runs through Friday, November 2. No waste stickers are required for this collection.

Brush that is not bundled and tied will not be collected. In addition, brush resulting from commercial tree trimming, which should be removed by the contractor, will also not be collected.

Both yard waste and bundled brush collection will take place on the regular garbage collection day and should be placed at the curb by 6 a.m. that morning.

ELGIN

City buildings throw open doors Saturday

“Open Elgin” is back by popular demand this Saturday.

Visitor will have a chance to discover  unique architectural features, fascinating histories, and eye-opening elements in selected city buildings.

Buildings normally not open to the public will open their doors from 1-5 p.m.  to share their secrets and include schools, churches, downtown office buildings and businesses.

More information is available at www.openelgin.com.

GENEVA

Sign up for ‘Art On Fire’ Hydrant Design Contest

Geneva residents can bring their artistic creativity into the community this spring by participating in the “Art on Fire” hydrant design program.

The City, in collaboration with the Cultural Arts Commission, is seeking artists to adopt and paint fire hydrants throughout Geneva. More than 80 hydrants have been painted the past five years as part of “Art on Fire,” and the program has been well-received by residents and visitors who have taken notice of the artwork in the downtown and surrounding areas.

With more than 1,800 fire hydrants throughout Geneva, plenty of “blank canvas” remains for artists to submit new entries this spring. “Art on Fire” was established by Mayor Kevin Burns in 2013 as a way to showcase Geneva’s artistic talent and bring art into the community.

The program is free and open to the public, but participants need to submit an application to the City by Friday, May 11. The application can be found on the City’s website or picked up at Geneva City Hall, 22 S. First St.  

SUGAR GROVE

Waubonsee host open house on April 21

Waubonsee Community College will host an open house at its Sugar Grove Campus on Saturday, from 1 to 4 p.m. The event is family-friendly, free and open to the public.

Waubonsee students, faculty members, administrators and staff will be available to discuss programs, resources, financial assistance, and student clubs and activities. There will also be workshops on topics such as choosing a major, earning credit for prior learning, and the Access Center for Disability Resources.

Guests will begin at the Field House, where they will learn about Waubonsee and get information about the day’s activities. Visitors will also have the opportunity to try to score on the Chiefs’ men’s soccer team goalies.

Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Programs at Waubonsee will be featured at the event. There will be hands-on demonstrations and experiments in the Science Building with authentic moon rocks on display and a stream table with model rivers, deltas and floods. Attendees will also be able to measure grip strength with the college’s kinesiology equipment. The ceramics studio will also be open giving guests the opportunity to learn more about this art program.

There will be giveaways, raffles for gift cards or a Dell touchscreen laptop, as well as free food truck refreshments while supplies last. Visit www.waubonsee.edu/openhouse for more information and to RSVP for the open house.

COUNTY

Trimming work under way two forest preserves

The Forest Preserve District of Kane County asks users of the Great Western Trail and at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve to be aware of a tree-trimming project along with a paving project at Fabyan Forest Preserve.

ComEd contractor Lewis Tree Service will be trimming trees along the Great Western Trail and at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve from April 16 through April 30. There are no closures associated with this project, but trail users should be aware of the equipment that might be on the trail.

A paving project at the Fabyan Forest Preserve parking lot (east side of IL Route 25) will begin April 17 through May 25. Users should be aware that the paving will include the entrance to the preserve and daily closures to the far east side are possible.

Preserve and trail users are asked to be mindful of the tree-trimming and paving projects, as well as the possibility of construction equipment in the vicinity.

For more information, call the Forest Preserve District of Kane County at 630-232-5980.

WINFIELD

Cantigny now part of Museums for All

The First Division Museum and McCormick House, Cantigny Park’s two museums, announced their participation in Museums for All—a national initiative of the Association of Children’s Museums and the Institute of Museum and Library Services—to encourage individuals and families of all backgrounds to visit the park’s museums and other attractions.

Museums for All applies to Cantigny’s parking fee because the park’s museums, gardens and most events are already free admission.

Families may now visit the park for just $1 by presenting a state-issued Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card or Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program card. The discounted rate is for one vehicle with up to eight passengers.

Cantigny Park’s regular daily parking fee is $5. The daily fee on Saturdays and Sundays, May through September, is $10.

In addition to the $1 daily rate, a Museums for All annual rate is available for $10 to those who qualify. Ticketed events, fee-based programs, paid tours and discounts at Bertie’s Bistro, Cantigny Shop and Cantigny Golf are not included in Museums for All.

In addition to Museums for All, Cantigny Park offers several other free or discounted admission programs:

• Free admission on the first Wednesday of every month
• Free admission (and other benefits) every day for active-duty military and veterans who join the complimentary Cantigny Honor Club
• Free admission on Armed Forces Day, McCormick Day, Constitution Day and Veterans Day

Museums for All program participants near Cantigny Park include Aurora Regional Fire Museum, DuPage Children’s Museum.

–Kane County News Briefs–