Good morning, DuPage! It's a cozy day ahead with a high of 64°F and a low of 39°F, so get outside and see if you can spot some early spring flowers!

Naperville has secured the top spot on Niche's 2026 ranking of the "Best Cities to Live in America," marking the third consecutive year it has received this honor. The ranking evaluated 229 cities using data from sources like the U.S. Census and FBI, alongside millions of user reviews. Naperville earned an overall grade of A+, with top marks specifically in public schools, health and fitness, and its suitability for families. While it also received high grades for outdoor activities, housing, and jobs, its lowest score was a C+ for weather.

Beyond the main title, Naperville also claimed the number one position in three additional Niche categories: "Best Cities to Buy a House," "Best Cities to Raise a Family," and "Cities with the Best Public Schools in America." Mayor Scott Wehrli celebrated the achievement by attributing the success to the city's residents, educators, and first responders, noting that the community's commitment to quality of life is the true reward. Other cities rounding out the top five in the national list included Cambridge, Massachusetts; The Woodlands, Texas; Arlington, Virginia; and Bellevue, Washington.

The DuPage County Board has officially approved an allocation of $4.8 million in surplus funds from the 2025 fiscal year to combat rising food insecurity across the region. This financial commitment is divided among three key organizations: Loaves & Fishes Community Services will receive $2.5 million to nearly double the size of its Aurora Food Distribution Hub and quadruple its cold storage capacity; the Northern Illinois Food Bank is slated for $2 million to support the wholesale purchase and delivery of fresh produce and essentials over the next two years; and the Conservation Foundation will receive $322,000 to expand its Farm to Pantry Program, which includes the purchase of a refrigerated truck and the construction of a new greenhouse.

The initiative comes in response to data showing a 64 percent increase in local food insecurity, a trend exacerbated by recent reductions in federal benefits. County officials emphasized that these investments are designed to strengthen the infrastructure of the local food pantry system, ensuring that families have consistent access to fresh and healthy options rather than just non-perishable goods. In addition to these immediate allocations, the county is developing a "Challenge Grant" program to be launched later in 2026, which will provide matching funds to encourage partnerships and long-term improvements among local food distribution networks.

DuPage Credit Union recently partnered with Junior Achievement to host a financial literacy event at Western Trails Elementary School in Carol Stream. The initiative brought together volunteers from the credit union, a team from Bank of America, and students from Addison Trail and Willowbrook High Schools to provide money management lessons to approximately 240 elementary students. The program focused on teaching foundational financial skills, aiming to spark early curiosity and confidence in managing money as students begin their personal financial journeys.

George Caraballo, Associate Director of Branches and Community Engagement for DuPage Credit Union, emphasized the organization's commitment to community-led education and its long-standing ties to local school districts. As the credit union enters its eighth decade of service, it plans to continue these collaborative efforts with businesses and charities to support financial wellness across the region. DuPage Credit Union currently serves over 46,000 members across several Illinois counties, offering a full range of banking solutions while maintaining its focus on community-driven initiatives like this one.

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On this day in 1979, the first fully functional Space Shuttle orbiter, Columbia, was delivered to the John F. Kennedy Space Center, gearing up for its inaugural launch. Talk about reaching for the stars!

A fascinating but little-known fact about Naperville is that it was once the "Ice Cream Capital of the World"—or at least the primary source for the machinery that made it possible.

In the early 20th century, the Northwestern Terra Cotta Company wasn't the only industrial giant in town. The Naperville Prince Castles plant (which later became the company Prince Castle) was the birthplace of the Multimixer. Invented by Earl Prince in Naperville, this machine could mix five milkshakes at once, revolutionizing the fast-food industry.

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