As of Thursday, 1,329 people had voted at the county building for the clerk, recorder and elections offices in downtown Yorkville, according to Kendall County Clerk & Recorder Debbie Gillette. The building opened for early voting on Feb. 5.

In addition, 917 people have voted at Oswego Village Hall, Gillette said, which has been open for early voting since March 2.

Wednesday was the last day for early voting at Oswego Village Hall and Monday is the last day of early voting at the Yorkville county building.

Starting on Tuesday, registered voters will vote at the assigned polling place listed on their voter registration card. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

All county-level races on the Kendall County ballot are uncontested. Some congressional and state wide offices are contested.

Voters in Yorkville School District 115, which is in both Kendall and Kane counties, will vote on a proposition to sell $275 million in school building bonds for various projects.

“While the district is currently reviewing staffing structures for the upcoming school year, this does not include a full elimination of all interventionist positions,” the district said on its website. “Instead, the district is exploring consolidation of positions and roles as part of a broader effort to address significant financial challenges.”

An interventionist is an educator specialized in providing academic or behavioral support.

Officials said the district’s goal is to ensure that students who need additional academic support will continue to receive it.

“Importantly, the district remains fully committed to preserving all required supports and services for our special education programs and ensuring students receive the assistance they need to succeed,” they said.

The district is facing an $8 million reduction in state funding along with additional financial pressures including rising utility costs, increased benefits costs and a growing amount of unpaid student fees.

“Like many neighboring districts, we are being forced to carefully evaluate staffing in order to maintain financial stability,” the district said. “We will continue and enhance additional cost-saving measures that have been implemented over the past two years, including expanded competitive bidding for purchases and services, discontinued use of tax anticipation warrants and increased application for grant funding.”

District leadership is working directly with school administrators to determine how student support services will continue to be delivered following any reduction in staff.

“Our focus remains on minimizing staff reductions whenever possible while continuing to support student learning,” officials said. “The recent announcement of significant staff reductions by many area districts is evidence that this issue is not isolated here. We intend to minimize the staffing through other cost-cutting measures.”

As the team’s quarterback, she led the Wolves last year to a 15-5 record, 5-0 in conference to win the Southwest Prairie championship and also won the program’s first regional championship.

Stone also is a softball player and is actively involved in the community.

Stone was recognized for all of her achievements as a Chicago Bears Community High School All-Star during a ceremony at the school on March 4.

“Danielle’s recognition as a Chicago Bears Community High School All-Star reflects the values we strive to cultivate in all of our students,” Oswego School District 308 Superintendent Andalib Khelghati said.

“Her leadership, character, and commitment to making a positive difference make our entire SD 308 community proud,” he said.

The award recognizes high school football players and high school flag football players who make a positive impact in their community and school.

Stone serves as a leader in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is involved in the nonprofit organization Feed My Starving Children.

“She is a leader and a mentor and a tutor,” Gustavo Silva, director of football development for the Chicago Bears, said during the ceremony. “She is an asset to the community.”

She will receive a custom football award, a Chicago Bears swag bag and $500 donation to a nonprofit organization of her choosing. Stone said she plans to donate the money to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which offers cancer treatments for children.

“I think it’s really important that kids who are battling cancer can have hope and know that they’re not alone in their fight,” Stone said. “I feel like they can battle cancer and feel stronger together.”

In May 2025, Oswego school board members unanimously approved adding girls flag football in the fall at the varsity and junior varsity level. Girls flag football is offered at both Oswego High School and Oswego East High School.

“Football is my favorite sport to watch,” Stone said. “It’s cool playing it as well. I just love the team chemistry.”

The Illinois High School Association introduced girls flag football as an IHSA State Series starting in the 2024-25 school year.

Silva said it was the Bears’ goal to get girls flag football sanctioned as a IHSA sport.

“The Chicago Bears love girls flag football,” Silva said. “We started girls flag football back in 2021.”

Prior to girls flag football being named an IHSA sanctioned sport, Stone was part of Oswego East’s club flag football team as a sophomore.

“The Bears have done an amazing job supporting the growth of girls flag football,” Oswego East Girls Flag Football Head Coach Ryan Clifford said. “We’re so grateful for all they do for this sport.”

He said he is proud of how far the team has come in such a short period of time.

“There’s no way I would have ever imagined the Chicago Bears recognizing one of our athletes in the first year as a program,” Clifford said. “Once you get to know this student athlete, it makes sense.”

Javier Parras, 48, has been charged with aggravated DUI, driving while license revoked, and failing to yield to an emergency vehicle. He also was charged with illegal transportation/possession of alcohol by a driver.

The vehicle initially stopped for the traffic stop was not involved in the crash, according to a news release from the Oswego Police Department. Both police vehicles were unoccupied at the time of the crash, and no injuries were reported.

About 12:50 a.m. Monday, two Oswego Police vehicles were struck while officers were conducting a traffic stop at Route 30 and Treasure Drive, according to the release.

The police vehicles had been pulled to the side of the road with their emergency lights activated when a red Honda CR-V traveling southeast on Route 30 struck one of the police vehicles and then the second before coming to a stop, according to the release.

Police obtained approval from the Kendall County State’s Attorney’s Office for charging Parras with a felony charge of aggravated driving under the influence for allegedly operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol while his driving privileges were revoked for a prior DUI violation, police said.

In addition, Parras was charged with operating an uninsured motor vehicle and failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.

Scott’s Law requires drivers to slow down and move over when approaching stationary emergency vehicles with emergency lights activated in order to protect first responders working on the roadway.

The property, located at 61 Franklin St. near the intersection of Washington Street and U.S. Route 71 in Oswego, is in a tax increment financing district.

When a municipality creates a TIF district, its property assessment is frozen and new or increased taxes generated by improvements are used to pay for improvements or other development incentives.

“While $2.1 million is identified as the purchase price for the property, it is subject to any purchase price adjustment authorized by the redevelopment agreement,” Oswego Village Administrator Dan Di Santo said in a memo to village trustees.

“The intent is that the village will not be paying to acquire the site, but rather the developer will be paying for the property through TIF increment generated from the development. All expenses and revenues generated by the development between the three parties will be negotiated through the redevelopment agreement and approved at a later date,” the memo states.

Oswego village trustees in December unanimously approved a concept plan for a 161-unit apartment and townhouse development to be developed on the property.

In response to village trustees voicing concerns about the height and density of the development, the developer scaled back the plans for Traughber Estates.

Trustees as well as Oswego Village President Ryan Kauffman thought a five-story building proposed as part of the plan was too tall, especially in comparison with the rest of the development.

The building has been removed from plans and replaced with two three-story apartment buildings. In addition, the number of units has been reduced from 202 units to 161 units.

As proposed, five three-story apartment buildings containing 125 units would be built as part of the latest plan. Also proposed are six two-story owner-occupied townhouse buildings containing 36 units.

“This is not my favorite project,” village trustee Karin McCarthy-Lange said prior to voting to approve the concept plan. “I don’t want to stand in the way of helping the school district financially. It’s not my ideal project. It’s not as creative as I would have liked it. It’s not as original as I would have liked. But I cannot in good faith stand in the way of saving the school district money and helping them in the long run.”

The building served as the original Traughber Junior High School until the current Traughber Junior High School was built in 2008. The property is 12.34 acres in size, with the building sitting on four acres.

The building hasn’t been fully operational since 2007, District 308 School Superintendent Andalib Khelghati said.

“There were 100 staff members in and out of that building every single day,” he said.

Khelghati said the property has become an albatross around the district’s neck. He said the district has to spend $250,000 a year for its upkeep.

“That does not include insurance costs,” he said.

A plan in 2018 to turn the building into a senior housing complex fell through.

Ryan Dodd, 44, of Aurora, was arrested on Jan. 29 after Ashley A. Stewart, 41, was found stabbed to death in her home on Valentine Way in Oswego on Jan. 27.

Dodd remains in custody at the Kendall County Jail. Kendall County State’s Attorney Eric Weis said his office will be tendering discovery between now and Dodd’s next court hearing at 9 a.m. April 28.

The Kendall County Coroner’s Office did a forensic autopsy on Jan. 29 that indicated the victim suffered multiple sharp force injuries, police said.

Dodd has been charged with felony counts of first degree murder, home invasion, armed violence, residential burglary and aggravated stalking.

Dodd allegedly used a GPS tracking device to monitor Stewarts whereabouts, court records state. He allegedly had a GPS tracking device installed under the rear bumper of Stewart’s 2022 black Ford Expedition, according to court records.

“It is clear that the defendant had planned this attack based upon the GPS tracker installed on the victim’s car,” Weis said in a petition to deny Dodd pretrial release. “It is also clear that the defendant was determined to see this through because a police contact with him earlier in the morning and a neighbor contact less than an hour before the murder did not deter him. ”

The killing of Stewart was not done spontaneously, Weis said in the petition.

“In fact, it was done the day before his post decree divorce case involving the victim was to be heard in Will County. Based on these facts, along with the totality of the circumstances show that there are no less restrictive conditions that would assure the safety of the community," he said in the petition.

Police found four separate incidents of surveillance conducted by Dodd starting on Dec. 14 and ending on Jan. 21, according to court records.

Police responded to two calls for service involving Dodd and Stewart. On Dec. 14, there was a “domestic incident” where Dodd showed up at Stewart’s house unannounced, according to court records.

“Ryan was spoken to by officers and advised not to return,” according to court records. “No report was taken for this incident.”

On Jan. 21, there was a “citizen assist” where Stewart wanted information about an order of protection against Dodd, according to court records.

“Ashley did not make a report,” court records state.

A few weeks before being charged in Stewart’s murder, a judge had ordered Dodd to pay her $15,000 in per month in emergency temporary child support.

On or about Dec. 19, Dodd was ordered to pay $15,000 per month in emergency temporary child support, according to bankruptcy records.

Dodd and Stewart married in October 2004 in Greenville, Michigan, and had five children together.

As part of a marital settlement, he agreed to pay Stewart $2.2 million over 10 years in the form of a monthly payment in the amount of $18,333.33 per month beginning Sept. 1, 2022, Will County Circuit Court records show.

A caller identifying himself as Stewart’s current husband had initially called police about 1:10 p.m. Jan. 27 after seeing via home surveillance a man run after his wife, Oswego police said.

According to court records, Oswego police detectives on Jan. 28 executed a search warrant on Dodd’s house in Aurora.

“Oswego detectives located a black garbage bag inside of the attached garage containing clothing that matched the suspect in the victim’s video during the murder,” according to court records. “Additionally, a large fixed blade knife was seen inside of the garbage bag with shoes,” according to court records.

The bag was opened at the Oswego Police Department in an evidence processing bay.

“The bag contained all of the external clothing matching the surveillance video to include socks and undergarments worn,” according to court records.

Instead of Venue 1012 hosting concerts all summer, plans are to hold one full-day event at the amphitheater on Sept. 19.

The free movie Movies Under The Stars series, which is run in partnership with the Yorkville Parks and Recreation Department, will continue.

“We are going to do what I call an all day food and music festival,” Oswego events manager Kelly Bertog said. “It’s going to be much larger in scope than a traditional Venue 1012 concert has been in the past.”

Movie nights will be on June 25, July 30 and Sept. 26. More details will be posted at venue1012.com.

During a Committee of the Whole meeting last October, village trustees discussed whether changes needed to be made in the operation of Venue 1012.

Venue 1012’s first full season was 2022. Last season, it saw an overall decrease in attendance, which village staff attributed in part to the extreme heat throughout much of last summer.

“I know that September around here can still be quite warm, but we’re hoping it’s going to be better than the middle of July,” Bertog said.

In 2024, the average attendance during the season was about 750, while in 2025, the average attendance dropped to about 450.

Venue 1012 also is available to rent for public and private events.

“It’s not just a concert venue, it’s a community space,” he said. “We want to really make it as community friendly as possible.”

During the October meeting, trustees voiced interest in prioritizing the community use of Venue 1012.

“Hopefully for the 2027 season, there’s not only a strong plan in place for how the village is going to use Venue 1012, but also how we can get other organizations really interested in that space as well,” said Bertog, who started in his position last November.

He replaced former events manager Julie Hoffman, who had resigned from the position after serving since February 2018.

Bertog started just a few weeks before the village’s Christmas Walk, which kicked off the holiday season in downtown Oswego.

Bertog lives in Oswego with his wife, Marina, and their two children. She grew up in Oswego and her parents still live in the village.

“This role is very personal for me,” he said. “We have two young kids now and I really just believe in the power of events to create memories and create community and bring neighbors together.”

Tickets now are on sale for the village’s next event, Wine on the Fox, which will be held May 2 and 3 at Hudson Crossing Park in downtown Oswego. This is the 20th anniversary of Wine on the Fox, which features wine tastings and live music.

Wine on the Fox is presented by john greene Realtor. Proceeds from the event help offset the cost of Oswego’s annual event programming and provide community amenities throughout the year.

Bertog hopes events like Christmas Walk and Wine on the Fox also help to showcase downtown businesses

The village this year also will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The celebration will be from 3:30 to 9 p.m. July 4 at Prairie Point Park, 4120 Plainfield Road, Oswego.

The fireworks display is set to take place at dusk, which is typically after 9 p.m. There will be plenty of activities before that time.

“There will be multiple music acts along with a wall of history that kind of focuses on both the history of America and the history of Oswego,” Bertog said.

The day also will a field of flags, food vendors and kids activities.

“All of this will be happening all afternoon leading up the the fireworks display to help celebrate the 250th anniversary,” he said.

More information is available at oswegoil.org/Oswego250.

Hagerty has served with the sheriff’s office since April 2008 and currently supervises in the Operations Division. He was nominated by his peers in recognition of his outstanding leadership, work ethic and dedication to the citizens of Kendall County, according to a news release from the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office.

In addition to his supervisory responsibilities, Hagerty has taken on several key initiatives, including developing and implementing a traffic unit and overhauling and improving the department’s field training program, according to the release.

He also oversees the community policing unit, crisis intervention team, public information and communications team and the sex offender registration division.

“He leads by example and consistently maintains a positive and professional attitude,” according to the release. “He demonstrates a strong work ethic and is dedicated to supporting the mission of the Sheriff’s Office. He truly embodies the values of the Sheriff’s Office and is a valuable asset to the citizens of Kendall County.”

Residents who wish to nominate an employee or citizen for recognition through the KCSO Employee Recognition Program can submit nominations at kendallcountyil.gov/sheriff.

To remind motorists of the dangers of impaired driving and to help keep the streets safe, the Oswego and Plainfield police departments and the Kendall County and Will County sheriff’s offices are teaming up with the Illinois State Police and Illinois Department of Transportation for a stepped-up traffic safety campaign running March 13 through March 23.

“With St. Patrick’s Day falling on a Tuesday this year, we expect celebrations throughout the entire week, plus the weekends before and after,” Oswego Police Department spokesperson Cathy Nevara said in a news release. “We urge everyone to celebrate responsibly. Plan ahead for a sober ride home before you leave the house. Your safety and the safety of others depends on it.”

During the enforcement period, Oswego police will be looking for drivers impaired by alcohol and cannabis along with other drugs, including prescription medications that can affect driving, according to the release.

Officers will also be stepping up seat belt enforcement, particularly at night when seat belt usage rates are lowest. Speeding, distracted driving and all traffic laws will be strictly enforced.

Oswego police ask that motorists keep safety at the forefront. When it’s time to leave, make sure your designated driver is sober.

Remember that walking or biking while impaired, whether by alcohol, cannabis or other drugs, can also be dangerous, so choose a sober friend to go with you. Designated drivers should be alert for impaired walkers who may not obey street signs.

Other tips:

• Designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.

• If you see an impaired driver on the road, call 911 and report it.

• Have a friend who is about to drive impaired? Take the keys away and help them get a safe ride home.

• Always buckle up.

The St. Patrick’s Day “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Drive High. Get a DUI” enforcement campaign is funded by federal traffic safety funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and administered by IDOT.

“We have more languages spoken here at Grande Park Elementary than at any other school in the district,” Grande Park Elementary School Principal Sean Smith said. “There are approximately 40 different languages spoken in the homes.”

That diversity was on display on March 5 during the school’s fourth annual Diversity Fair, part of its Diversity Spirit Week.

“It’s incredible to see all the different backgrounds and where all of our kids and their families come from,” he said.

Smith has seen the school’s diversity increase over the years.

“I’ve been an administrator here for 14 years and I’ve seen just a large shift in our student multilingual population,” he said.

The fair is put on by a committee of about eight teachers partnering with the school’s Parent Teacher Association.

“It’s such a large event and requires a lot of planning and preparation,” Smith said.

Planning for the event starts in September.

Along with booths, this year’s fair featured performances from such student groups as the GPE Great Pretenders. The third-grade group presented the play “We Come From Everywhere” to show the school’s diversity.

In addition, members of the Korean Performing Arts Institute of Chicago performed during the Diversity Fair alongside the Barraza family, which performed songs from the movie “Coco.”

Families are invited to participate in the Diversity Fair and highlight their culture.

“They can bring food to share with the community, or they can do some kind of performance,” Smith said.

He is happy about the impact the school’s diversity week is having on students.

“It’s nice to see the smiles on our kids’ faces,” Smith said. “They’re just so happy and proud. They really enjoy sharing who they are.”

Darryl Lee Jr., 20, is charged with killing a man using a hammer and knife and injuring another person Oct. 22 at the Chick-fil-A restaurant in Oswego. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Lee has been remanded to the Illinois Department of Human Resources for mental health treatment. He faces 11 felony counts, including first-degree murder, concealment of a homicidal death and armed robbery.

There about 110 people on a waiting list to get into a mental health facility, Kendall County State’s Attorney Eric Weis said following a March 9 status hearing on the case.

Weis is anticipating that Lee will be placed in a mental health facility within the next 30 to 60 days. The Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Mental Health operates seven state-run inpatient psychiatric hospitals for adults, including one in Elgin.

Lee’s next court hearing is set for 9 a.m. April 6.

The victim in the fatal attack was identified as Tracey J. Land, 52, of Bridgeview.

Land was making a delivery to the restaurant at 2740 Route 34 when, about 3:10 a.m., Lee allegedly broke into the restaurant and attacked him with a hammer and a knife, Oswego police said.

About 5 a.m., Oswego police were called to the restaurant for a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, officers found the alleged offender, later identified by police as Lee, being restrained by two contracted maintenance workers.

Officers immediately took Lee into custody and began providing medical aid to one of the workers who had been injured, police said.

The injured 20-year-old man was taken to an area hospital. Based on statements allegedly made by Lee, officers conducted a protective sweep of the restaurant and discovered Land’s body inside. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lee will be committed to the Illinois Department of Human Services in an inpatient secure facility, Weis has said.

“The doctor who did the evaluation believes he can be restored to fitness within a year, which is the standard in the state of Illinois for fitness,” Weis said. “And once he is found to be fit, he’ll be returned here back in Kendall County, and the proceedings will continue on.”

Weis said he believes that Lee understands the charges against him but that he is not able to assist in his own defense.

“That’s usually where the issue comes up when you have a mental illness without treatment or medications,” he said. “So they’ll give him some treatment as well as medications, which will allow him then to assist his attorneys in his own defense.”

Lee will remain in custody in the Kendall County Jail until the Illinois Department of Human Services has a bed available.

Police said that after allegedly killing Land, Lee remained in the restaurant and tried to clean up the crime scene. The maintenance workers were outside the restaurant, unaware that Lee was inside and had allegedly killed Land, police said.

Lee exited the restaurant about 4:55 a.m. and allegedly attacked the 20-year-old man from behind by stabbing him with a knife, police said. Despite his injuries, the man was able to subdue his attacker with the assistance of his mother, who also was on-site working with him, police said.

Oswego village officials in November honored the mother and son for their efforts at the scene.

At the Nov. 4 Oswego Village Board meeting, Village President Ryan Kauffman read a proclamation commending the efforts of Sergio Uribe Jr. and Ana Uribe.

Kids Connection will run as scheduled, but families are encouraged to pick up students as early as possible and monitor weather conditions.

Storms are expected to develop in the late afternoon and there is a flash flood watch in the area through 3 a.m. Wednesday.

Concerns about immigration agents near polling places have grown amid national political rhetoric about non-citizen voting. President Donald Trump and some allies have repeatedly claimed without evidence that large numbers of undocumented immigrants vote in U.S. elections and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon recently suggested deploying Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents around polling locations.

Federal officials have said there are no plans to station ICE agents at polling places.

“ICE will not be allowed to interfere with DuPage County elections in any way,” DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek said during a recent news conference. “It is a federal crime for the military or federal agents to interfere in elections or intimidate voters.”

According to the U.S. Department of Justice’s website, the department is “committed to ensuring that every qualified voter can exercise their right to vote free of discrimination, intimidation or criminal activity in the election process.”

“Federal law prohibits intimidation, threats, and coercion throughout the voting process, including registering to vote, casting a ballot and even at the stage of counting or tallying votes,” according to the website.

During the news conference, Kaczmarek said it is a myth that non-citizens vote on Election Day.

“The very last place an undocumented person wants to be on Election Day is anywhere near a polling place,” she said. “If caught voting, it would mean deportation. So do not attempt to use that pretense to intimidate registered citizens and rob them of their constitutional right to vote.”

Kaczmarek said her office has set up a dedicated phone line to report any potential ICE deployments at any election day polling places or early voting locations.

The phone line can also be used to report any incidents of interference or intimidation by ICE or other federal agents, she said.

Kaczmarek, a Democrat, is running for her third term as clerk. Running against her in the general primary is fellow Democrat and DuPage County Board member Paula Deacon Garcia.

Will County Clerk Annette Parker said she remains committed to ensuring a secure, orderly and accessible Election Day, regardless of any situation that may arise.

“The Will County Clerk’s Office continues to work closely with our local partners to proactively monitor conditions and respond promptly to any concerns,” Parker said. “Coordination has been established with the Will County Sheriff’s Department, the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Will County Emergency Management Agency to maintain clear communication and provide rapid assistance if necessary.”

Polling locations are intended to remain neutral and be safe spaces for all voters, Parker said. On election day, the sheriff’s department will be available to respond to safety or disruption concerns, if requested, while respecting the authority of election judges, she said.

In addition, the state’s attorney’s office will be available to provide legal guidance as needed. Attorneys and the county’s emergency management agency will remain on standby for any emergency or public safety matters.

“Our priority is to protect the integrity of the process and ensure every eligible voter can cast their ballot safely and confidently,” Parker said.

Will County voters who experience issues or have concerns are encouraged to contact the election hotline number.

Kane County likewise has an election hotline number, and anyone who witnesses any potential interference is encouraged to call the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office.

“Our utmost responsibility is to make sure our voters have free access at the polling place,” Kane County Clerk Jack Cunningham said.

In addition, there is a law enforcement officer in place at every school that has a polling place.

“We tried to be proactive with this,” Cunningham said. “We started these programs 10 years ago.”

His office has not had any problems with ICE agents since early voting began.

“But we’re prepared if something does happen,” Cunningham said.

He also noted that the election judges at the polling places throughout the county act as officers of the court, and they are fully informed to contact the Kane County Sheriff’s Office or call 911 if they see any irregularities.

Grundy County Clerk and Recorder Kay Olson said her office does not have any policy specifically regarding ICE at polling places.

She noted that election judges are the sole authority in the polling place and that no person – except for a judge, clerk’s staff or election day technicians – can handle or touch election supplies and materials or set up/break down voting equipment.

“We have not been made aware of any plans to have ICE at any polling locations for the March primary election,” Olson said in an email. “I am hopeful we will get through Election Day without any issues, but we do try to anticipate and prepare for every Election Day scenario.”

Questions about local voting operations and concerns can be directed first to local county clerk offices and special county hotlines.

• Bureau County Clerk: 815-875-2014

• Cook County Clerk: 847-818-5333

• DeKalb County Clerk: 815-895-7147

• DuPage County Clerk: 630-407-5634

• Grundy County Clerk: 815-941-3222

• Lake County Clerk: 847-377-2400

• McHenry County Clerk: 815-334-4242

• Kankakee County Clerk: 815-937-2990

• Kane County: Elections hotline - 630-232-5990 State’s Attorney complaint hotline - 630-208-5328

• Kendall County State’s Attorney’s Office: 630-553-4157

• LaSalle County Clerk: 815-434-8201

• Lee County Clerk: 815-288-3309

• Ogle County Clerk: 815-732-1130

• Putnam County Clerk: 815-925-7129

• Whiteside County Clerk: 815-772-5189

• Will County Clerk: 815- 727-8872

Other questions about the election process may also be directed to the Illinois State Board of Elections at 217-782-4141. The state board is an independent state agency that supervises the registration of voters and the administration of elections throughout the state.

Other inquiries can also be directed to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office at 312-814-3000.

At the March 3 Oswego Village Board meeting, village trustees unanimously approved an ordinance assessing a $750 administrative fee to the registered owner of any vehicle that flees or attempts to flee from an Oswego police officer.

Oswego Police Chief Jason Bastin had recommended the village enact the fee to improve roadway safety. The $750 fee is based on the cost the police department incurs to investigate these cases.

“Even if we don’t chase someone, if they take off and they’re driving in an unsafe manner after they do that, it’s not safe on the roadways,” Bastin said after the meeting. “So that’s the goal. It’s just to increase roadway safety.”

There have been 26 violators in the last five years, Bastin told village trustees. Only three of the violators were Oswego residents.

Bastin noted the police department has a restrictive pursuit policy to ensure the safety of the public.

“Even though it means offenders get away, we are also not putting the public in danger by participating in a pursuit,” he had told village trustees. “And a lot of times when we initiate a pursuit, the offender drives pretty recklessly, causing a danger to the public.”

The administrative fee would be on top of criminal charges against the offender, Bastin said.

“And hopefully that would deter that behavior,” he said.

Other municipalities also are enacting such ordinances. Plainfield village trustees on Dec. 15 unanimously approved an ordinance assessing a $500 administrative fee to the registered owner of any vehicle that flees or attempts to flee from a Plainfield police officer.

Like Oswego’s new fine, the $500 fee is based on the average cost the police department incurs to investigate these cases.

“It’s not intended to be a penalty or a revenue generator,” Plainfield Police Commander Zach Zigterman had told village trustees. “It’s only an attempting to recover a portion of the resources that are expended in connection with that criminal activity.”

And Oswego Village President Ryan Kauffman said he knows the reason why.

“When Trader Joe’s chooses your community, it says that this is a place with energy, stability and a customer base that executives believe in,” Kauffman said during his State of the Village address on March 4.

The Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the event, held at Oswego Village Hall.

As Kauffman confirmed during his address, a Trader Joe’s grocery store is being built at the southwest corner of U.S. Route 34 and Kendall Point Drive, next to Delta Sonic. Trader Joe’s previously had not said where the store would be located.

The store is set to open in the fall, he said.

Along with Trader Joe’s, Kauffman noted that national retailer HomeGoods plans to build a store between PetSmart and Aldi in the Prairie Market East shopping center at the intersection of U.S. Route 34 and Fifth Street.

In addition, Dutch Bros. Coffee plans to open a 989- square-foot drive-thru restaurant near the intersection of U.S. Route 34 and Ogden Falls Boulevard in Oswego. The store would be its first in northern Illinois, he said.

At the same time, Kauffman said new businesses continue to flock to downtown Oswego, including Bay 54 cocktail lounge. Bay 54 is renovating the space at 57 Main St. that formerly housed The Bike Rack Oswego.

“Bay 54 represents something equally important – local entrepreneurs investing in our downtown because they believe in Oswego’s future," he said.

Kauffman said it is his goal to make downtown Oswego a true destination, a place where “people gather, explore, shop and return to again and again.”

“One of the most exciting examples of that vision is the reimagining of Harrison Street,” he said.

Village trustees have approved plans for a private training and group fitness facility to open in a portion of an industrial building along South Harrison Street in downtown Oswego.

The proposal is part of a bigger project to redevelop that portion of Harrison Street. Plans also call for small retail shop spaces, food trucks with a pavilion and a recreational area along with a dog park.

Last August, Oswego village trustees approved a special use permit for TermiNader Fitness, which plans to locate in about 2,000 square feet on the northwest side of the about 10,000-square-foot building at 174 S. Harrison St.

The business is owned by Ryan and Monique Nader.

Barkville Buddies, composed of an indoor dog-friendly bar and an outdoor fenced-in dog area, will be located on the southwest side of the building. Village trustees approved a liquor license for Barkville Buddies on Aug. 5.

During his address, Kauffman also complimented the village’s first responders in responding to several tragedies in the past year, including when a 2-year-old boy was killed last July after a car crashed into the front entrance of the Portillo’s restaurant in Oswego.

“Oswego is safer because of them and we are grateful beyond words.” he said.

New businesses in Oswego now will have to install barriers to protect pedestrians along sidewalks or store entrances. The rules are known as Finnegan’s Law, a reference to the boy killed in the crash, Finnegan Trooper McKee.

“We are actively partnering with our state legislature to make Finnegan’s Law the law of the land across Illinois,” Kauffman said.

During the Feb. 23 Oswego school board meeting, board members heard the details of what the transfer of the property to the village of Oswego would involve.

Oswego village trustees in December unanimously approved a concept plan for a 161-unit apartment and townhouse development to be developed on the property.

The property is located at 61 Franklin St. near the intersection of Washington Street and U.S. Route 71.

“Because you’re both government agencies, you are able to make a transfer of property between you on such terms as you deem appropriate,” attorney Stuart Whitt told school board members during the meeting.

Next month, the village is set to adopt an ordinance declaring its need to acquire the property for redevelopment purposes. After that, the school board will consider a resolution indicating it no longer needs the property for school purposes.

Following that, the two bodies will enter into an agreement where the school board would agree to sell the property and the village would agree to buy the property.

“The village will then turn around and try to work out a redevelopment agreement with the developer of the property,” Whitt said. “That redevelopment agreement will have to please the developer, it will have to please the village and it will have to please you. And if any one of you are unhappy with the agreement, everything is off and you go back to square one. There is no commitment made here. You always have the opportunity to bail out.”

During the meeting, school board members unanimously approved an intergovernmental agreement with the village for a financial analysis to be done on redevelopment plans for the former school property.

The property is located in a tax increment financing district. When a municipality creates a TIF district, its property assessment is frozen and new or increased taxes generated by improvements are used to pay for improvements or other development incentives.

“We are required to do some due diligence,” District 308 chief financial officer and chief school business official Raphael Obafemi told Oswego school board members on Feb. 9. “We have to make a decision that’s in the best interest of the folks that we represent here.”

He noted the project will be paid for in large part by TIF funding.

Both the village and District 308 will benefit from the consultant’s work, Obafemi said as the analysis will help future decision-making on the potential redevelopment of the property.

“Ultimately, the goal is to find an objective source to help us get to the other side,” District 308 School Superintendent Andalib Khelghati said.

The village and the school district each will pay Johnson Research Group Inc. $10,000 for the services.

JRG specializes in tax increment financing as well as urban revitalization and planning.

In response to village trustees voicing concerns about the height and density of the development, the developer scaled back the plans for Traughber Estates.

Trustees as well as Oswego Village President Ryan Kauffman thought a five-story building proposed as part of the plan was too tall, especially in comparison with the rest of the development.

The building has been removed and replaced with two three-story apartment buildings. In addition, the number of units has been reduced from 202 units to 161 units.

As proposed, five three-story apartment buildings containing 125 units would be built as part of the latest plan. Also proposed are six two-story owner-occupied townhouse buildings containing 36 units.

“This is not my favorite project,” village trustee Karin McCarthy-Lange said prior to voting to approve the concept plan. “I don’t want to stand in the way of helping the school district financially. It’s not my ideal project. It’s not as creative as I would have liked it. It’s not as original as I would have liked. But I cannot in good faith stand in the way of saving the school district money and helping them in the long run.”

The building served as the original Traughber Junior High School until the current Traughber Junior High School was built in 2008. The property is 12.34 acres in size, with the building sitting on four acres.

It hasn’t been fully operational since 2007, Khelghati said.

“There were 100 staff members in and out of that building every single day,” he said.

Khelghati said the property has become an albatross around the district’s neck. He said the district has to spend $250,000 a year for its upkeep.

“That does not include insurance costs,” he said.

A plan in 2018 to turn the building into a senior housing complex fell through.

Longtime Oswego resident Don Draksler, who lives on Garfield Street, was one of several residents who spoke against the proposal.

He said the intersection of U.S. Route 71 and Plainfield Road/Washington Street already is extremely congested. Oswego High School also is located near the intersection.

Kauffman noted a traffic study will have to be done before the project can move forward.

“The traffic study is going to be hugely impactful,” he said after the meeting. “If it comes back and it shows that it would be catastrophic to traffic in the area, we’re not going to let it go forward. But if it comes back and it shows it would have a nominal or minimal impact to the traffic in the area, then that is no longer a concern.”

She was taken by the Oswego Fire Protection District to Rush Copley Medical Center in Aurora with injuries that were not life-threatening, according to a news release from the Oswego Police Department.

The driver will not be charged, police said.

“The crash occurred on private property and there were no indications of reckless driving or impairment, according to the release.

About 2:28 p.m., officers were dispatched to a report of a vehicle-versus-pedestrian crash that occurred in the parking lot of 2510 Route 34.

Officers responding to the scene found a woman with injuries in the parking lot near the Ulta Store. She was conscious and responsive at the time officers arrived, according to the release.

The investigation determined the woman was crossing the access road into the parking lot when she was involved in a crash with a Chrysler Pacifica that was turning left onto the access road from the parking lot, police said.

The driver of the vehicle and a passenger were not injured.

Additional information will be released if it becomes available, police said.

About 6 p.m., Will County sheriff’s deputies responded to a call of an injured person in the roadway on 159th Street between Gougar and Cedar roads, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.

Deputies later determined the injured person was the victim of a fatal hit-and-run crash.

She has been identified as Louise M. Vieni, 65, of Lockport, who was pronounced dead at 6:54 p.m. at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, the Will County Coroner’s Office said.

According to a preliminary investigation, a driver hit a dog while heading east on 159th Street and when the driver stopped and they also found an injured person in the roadway, who appeared to have been struck by a previous driver who didn’t stop, according to the sheriff’s office.

The driver who struck the dog and another passerby began to render aid to the injured person on the road, later identified as Vieni.

An autopsy was performed on Saturday, the coroner’s office said. Final cause and manner will be determined following autopsy, police and toxicological reports.

Those who might have witnessed the crash are asked to call the Will County Sheriff’s Office at 815-727-8575.

In the past, the festival has been spread out across different locations in downtown Plainfield. Plainfield Fest, which will be held July 17-19, is organized by the all-volunteer Plainfield Riverfront Foundation.

Plainfield Police Chief Robert Miller said the fact that the festival will be in one location this year will help the department in its patrolling efforts.

“It is a better plan, in our opinion, than in the past when it was downtown,” Miller said during the March 2 Plainfield Village Board meeting.

Plainfield village trustee Margie Bonuchi, president of the Plainfield Riverfront Foundation, agreed.

“We have great people that did a lot of the planning that set this up,” she said.

The festival will feature live music, a carnival, a craft and vendor show, a food court, a petting zoo and a bags (cornhole) tournament. The Plainfield Park District has approved the move to the park.

With the money the festival brought in over the past two years, the Plainfield Riverfront Foundation was able to complete its Light the Path project. That project involved buying and installing decorative lighting along the new trail extension (approximately 1/2 mile), which was constructed in 2021.

Bonuchi said she has already heard from one business that is happy about the festival’s move to a new location.

“They’re happier that we’ve moved out, because now their parking is freed up,” she said. “We think this is also going to draw a lot more people to it because they’re not spread out.”

Gregory B. Bott Park is located just southwest of Plainfield Central High School.

“The high school is willing to work with us, possibly on some shuttle opportunities,” Bonuchi said.

The Village Board unanimously approved on Monday annexing the approximately five acres of land. They also approved rezoning the land as well as granting a special use permit and variance.

In addition, they approved plans for the development. As proposed, the restaurant will be located directly east of Walker’s Grove Elementary School at 24810 W. 135th St. in Plainfield.

The 2,304-square-foot Dunkin’ will be located on the north end of the site. An out lot on the southern side of the site would be developed in the future.

The special use permit will allow the restaurant to have drive-thru service. Two drive-thru lanes with at least four stacking spaces for each lane are being proposed.

The restaurant also will offer indoor dining.

Upon annexation, land is given a R-1 (low density single-family) zoning designation. The petitioner sought rezoning the land to B-3 highway business district to build the proposed restaurant alongside the out lot slated for commercial use.

Village staff said that commercial use would be more appropriate than residential zoning. They noted that all properties at the intersection is being used for non-residential purposes.

That includes a nearby Walgreens store.

A right-in, right-out access drive is proposed on Route 30 for the project. The Illinois Department of Transportation has initially reviewed the proposal, Plainfield Development Director Jake Melrose had previously told village trustees.

“A full access is also proposed on 135th Street that will have a left turn lane heading into the site,” Melrose said. “An access drive will be constructed tying the right-in, right-out at U.S. Route 30 through the site to the full access on 135th Street.”

Some trustees had voiced concerns about students from the nearby school being able to safely cross the intersection to get to the restaurant. Melrose said crosswalks are being proposed as part of the plan to ensure pedestrian safety.

The property is contiguous to the village’s municipal boundary, located directly west and south of the site. As shown on the future land use plan of the village’s Comprehensive Plan, the site is included in the village’s boundaries as well as the village’s planning area.

“Therefore, staff submits that the annexation of the property would be a logical extension of the village’s boundaries,” associate planner Basmah Nadeem and Melrose said in a memo.

Eric L. Jones, 54, faces a sentence of between six to 30 years in prison. He is set to be sentenced on April 2.

Jones remains in custody at the Kane County Jail.

In November 2022, the victim – Niko Ramirez, 27, of Aurora – communicated with Jones to arrange to purchase drugs from him, according to a news release from the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office.

About 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 26, 2022, Jones delivered 10 fentanyl pills to Ramirez, who ingested one of the pills later that evening at his residence, according to the release. A roommate found Ramirez dead the next morning and called 911, according to the release.

An autopsy determined Ramirez died from fentanyl intoxication.

Jones was arrested in Elgin on Nov. 4, 2024 by members of the U.S. Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force following a lengthy investigation by the Aurora Police Department, according to the release.

“Mr. Ramirez’s unfortunate death underscores the dangerousness of individuals who exploit the addiction of others to deliver drugs for their own financial gain,” Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Jake Matekaitis said in the release. "Drug dealers remain a constant threat to the safety our community."

Last May, the Oswegoland Park District announced it had acquired the long-vacant Esporta Fitness center at 201 Ogden Falls Blvd. along U.S. Route 34 in Oswego in order to expand its indoor recreational and aquatic programming – including the district’s first indoor swimming pool.

The Park District has renamed the facility Ogden Point.

Esporta Fitness closed its doors Oct. 16, 2023. LA Fitness operates Esporta Fitness centers.

Plans are for the Park District to open for recreation programs on Sept. 8. However, the pool is not expected to open until early next year.

“Due to the lengthy Illinois Department of Public Health permit review process and the long lead time for the specialized roof top unit for the pool room, the pool will open later, tentatively scheduled for early 2027 opening date,” Facility Project Supervisor Phil Wierciak said in a recent report to Oswegoland Park Board commissioners.

The Department of Public Health requires a construction permit for new or significantly altered public swimming pools, spas, or water slides.

The building was built in 2008. The Park District bought the 45,000-square-foot building for $2.55 million.

The project is being funded through the district’s accumulated resources and non-referendum bonding authority.

“The facility had been closed for a number of years and the regular maintenance and security of the facility was not kept up very well,” Oswegoland Park District Executive Director Chad Feldotto had previously said in talking about the improvements being made to the facility.

Currently, the Park District operates two outdoor pools – the Civic Center Aquatic Pool and Winrock Pool.

Along with swim lessons, other planned uses for the building include small group classes, athletic activities and other indoor activities designed to serve residents of all ages.