Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) (center) joined a Congressional Delegation for a six-day trip to Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Germany over the Thanksgiving holiday and met with and served U.S. military troops. (Photo courtesy of Rep. Underwood’s Office)

KENDALL

Underwood visits U.S. service members in Afghanistan

Last month, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) joined a Congressional Delegation for a six-day trip to Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Germany to receive national security briefings by generals in the United States Armed Forces and share the Thanksgiving holiday with service members, including members of the Illinois Air National Guard.

The briefings included information on ISIS, Al Qaeda, and the Taliban; President Trump and his recent comments on Afghanistan, and how the United States can improve health care for service members and veterans.

The congresswoman was also able to serve lunch on Thanksgiving Day to service members at Camp Buehring in Kuwait.
“Every day, I am thankful for the brave men and women serving our country, but I am especially reminded of that as we enter the holiday season. There are so many service members—including 400 members of the 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment of the Illinois National Guard — who are away from their families this time of year. They and their families sacrifice time together and holiday memories to serve our country,” said Underwood. “It was my great honor to meet with those deployed to share our country’s gratitude for them in person, and serve and enjoy a Thanksgiving meal with them.”

Kifowit hosting Toys for Tots drive at district office

Encouraging residents to donate new toys for children in the community, state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, is hosting another annual Marine Toys for Tots drive at her District Office, located at 1677 Montgomery Road, Suite 116, Aurora.

“Each year as we celebrate the holidays with our loved ones, we must also remember there are children who may not receive much,” said Kifowit. “A small toy could go a long way to bringing some holiday cheer to children and families in our community.”

Kifowit has a collection bin for the Marine Toys for Tots at her full-time constituent office and asks residents to bring in new, unwrapped toys to place in the bin for donation. Donations will be collected during normal office hours from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. through Friday, December 13.

The popular Toys for Tots program began in 1947 and is run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve and distributes toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts for Christmas.

Sheriff’s Office participates in No Shave November

The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office is proud to once again participate in No Shave November, an annual fundraising and awareness effort during which participants from around the world, including many law enforcement agencies have put down their razors in order to donate to local not-for-profit organizations.
Kendall County Sheriff’s Office employees made recommendations for which not-for-profit organization would receive the donation, and this year the Sheriff’s Office has chosen to donate funds raised during “No Shave November” to Badge of Life.
Badge of Life is a non-profit organization based out of Streamwood that is dedicated to educate and train law enforcement about mental health and suicide prevention.

Kendall County Sheriff Office deputies and employees participated or made donations to this fundraiser, raising a total of $1,080.00. For more information about Badge of Life, please visit their website at https://badgeoflife.org.

Bristol Township man charged with armed robbery
On Nov. 30, the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 1400 block of North Bridge Street in Yorkville for a report of 23 year-old female who said she had been robbed.

The victim said it happened in the 100 block of West Rickard Drive in unincorporated Bristol Township.
The victim was transported to a local area hospital with minor injuries where she was treated and released.
Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into the report and as a result 25- year-old Daniel Fitzpatrick, 100 block of Rickard Drive, Bristol Township, was taken into custody. After working with the Kendall County State’s Attorney’s Office, Fitzpatrick will be facing charges of armed robbery (class X felony), aggravated unlawful restraint (class 3 felony), unlawful possession of a firearm by a Felon (class 3 felony) and mob action (class 4 felony).
The investigation revealed that the suspect was known to the victim and that there is no known threat to the public at large. Inquiry into the matter is ongoing and anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 630-553-5856, detectives@co.kendall.il.us, or you may report anonymously via Crimestoppers at 630-553-5999.

In cooperation with Kane County, the village of Montgomery has a new charging station for electric vehicles at Village Hall, 200 N. River St. (Photo courtesy of village of Montgomery)

MONTGOMERY

Come charge your vehicle at Village Hall
The village of Montgomery, in cooperation with Kane County, unveiled its new charging station for electric vehicles at Village Hall, 200 N. River St. on Dec. 5.

The charging station was a partnership project with Kane County providing the physical charging station and the Village providing the manpower and supplies to install the station.
According to Jerad Chipman, senior planner for the village, “This has been a great partnership with Kane County to install a charging station that will serve as necessary infrastructure for the future of automotive travel.”
Note that you will need a Chargepoint account to utilize the station. The station is the first of its kind in Montgomery and will provide residents and visitors an easy and affordable location to charge their vehicles.

OSWEGO

Village hosts pedestrian crossing open house

The Village of Oswego is seeking further resident input on pedestrian safety improvements proposed along Washington Street (U.S. Route 34) in downtown Oswego.
A second Downtown Oswego Pedestrian Open House will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, at Oswego Village Hall, 100 Parkers Mill.

This open house will follow up on resident feedback solicited at an open house held Sept. 18.
Residents will have the opportunity to see proposed solutions to the challenges of pedestrian safety in downtown and offer their thoughts on those proposed solutions. Possible solutions include short-term improvements like restriping the roadway and long-term improvements like adding traffic signals.
Washington Street (U.S. Route 34) is controlled by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
The major state route passes through downtown Oswego and has been the site of multiple vehicle-pedestrian crashes, including a fatal crash that killed a pedestrian in 2018.

Since 1997, the village has negotiated with IDOT for improvements, including installing flashing beacons, adding pedestrian flags, and lowering the posted speed limit to 20 mph. In the past, pedestrian counts have not been high enough to warrant a traffic signal at either Washington and Main Streets or Washington and Harrison streets.

However, following recent crashes, IDOT has agreed to reconsider traffic signals and other safety improvements along Washington Street in downtown provided the community generally supports them.
Residents who cannot attend the open house but would like to provide the comments may email their thoughts to info@oswegoil.org.
The second Downtown Oswego Pedestrian Open House open to residents, business owners, and any other interested member of the public and is free to attend. No registration is necessary. For questions, contact Jenette Sturges, community engagement coordinator, at 630-551-2392, or jsturges@oswegoil.org.

Rotary Club collecting coats for Kendall residents

The Rotary Club of Oswego’s annual Coats for Kendall winter clothing drive is underway. The club will be collecting coats, scarves, hats, gloves, and mittens now through the end of February. Donations can be dropped off at the main entrances of SD 308 schools, Oswego Village Hall, Oswegoland Park District and a number of other area businesses.

As part of the Coats for Kendall program, Rotary Club of Oswego is working with the schools in our community to make sure that each student in need can leave school in a warm coat, gloves and a hat this winter.

YORKVILLE

City reminds residents of snow parking regulations
Parking on city streets in the United City of Yorkville is prohibited after a snowfall of more than 2 inches. Residents are reminded that parking is banned for 24 hours after the snowfall has ended.

Any vehicles parked on city streets are in violation of a city ordinance and may receive a $50 citation.  Also, please do not allow children to play in snow piles left by snow plows on the sides of street or in cul-de-sacs.

Building forts in these areas can have serious consequences when snow removal equipment is in use. 

Santa coming to the Yorkville Library this weekend

Santa Claus will be scheduling a pre-Christmas visit to the Yorkville Public Library, 902 Game Farm Road, on Saturday, Dec. 14.  He will be there from 10 a.m. to noon.

Also, that day, parents and kids and enjoy a hot chocolate and a snack while listening to the telling of the popular holiday story “The Polar Express.”

The program will be from 10:15-10:45 a.m. and again from 11:15-11:45 a.m.

Children will write a letter to Santa and deliver it to him. Space is limited. Register today.