Good morning, DuPage! It's a cozy day ahead with a high of 65°F and a low of 44°F, so grab a light jacket before heading out.

Following the January 2026 denial of a controversial data center proposal, property owners for the former Nokia (Alcatel-Lucent) site in Naperville have pivoted toward a residential development. Presented to the city council on March 18, the new preliminary plan outlines a 262-home subdivision consisting of medium-density housing. The proposal, which may be headed by Pulte Homes, suggests a composition of 60% rowhomes and 40% townhomes. This shift is intended to align more closely with the city’s zoning regulations and the expressed desires of the surrounding community, which had voiced significant concerns over the previous industrial-scale data center project.

During the council’s informal "preview" session, the response from both residents and city officials was largely favorable, with many praising the developer's willingness to engage with neighborhood concerns. Residents from the nearby Danada Woods and Naper Commons subdivisions spoke in support of the residential use, though some suggested adding mixed-use retail components to provide walkable amenities like convenience stores. Council members also provided feedback on the proposal, including suggestions for a street-naming program to honor local history and the inclusion of workforce housing options to address rising costs in Naperville. The project is expected to move forward to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a formal review in the near future.

Chicago a cappella returns to the McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn on Sunday, April 26, at 3:00 p.m. for "Building American Pop," a concert celebrating the legendary Brill Building era of the 1950s and '60s. 

The performance features Emmy Award-winning WTTW host Geoffrey Baer, who joins the ensemble live as narrator to share the history behind iconic hits like “Stand by Me,” “On Broadway,” and “Hound Dog.” Accompanied by Jeff Award-winning visual projections, the ten-singer ensemble will perform 15 specialized vocal arrangements in a production that previously saw a sold-out run in 2024. 

Tickets for the event range from $40 to $60, with $10 student tickets available through chicagoacappella.org.

The Downers Grove Public Library was recently selected as one of only 50 sites nationwide to host the traveling exhibition "Americans and the Holocaust," which will be on display from April 14 to May 19, 2026. Created by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and the American Library Association, the 1,100-square-foot exhibit uses primary sources from the 1930s and ’40s to examine how factors like the Great Depression, isolationism, and antisemitism shaped the American government and public response to Nazism. 

The library will kick off the event with a grand opening and a community "Reading of the Names" at 6:30 p.m. on April 14, coinciding with Yom HaShoah. Local students from Districts 58 and 99 are expected to visit the exhibit as part of their curriculum while the Illinois Holocaust Museum undergoes renovations.

See our Calendar of Events Here!

On this day in 1999, Legoland California opened its doors in Carlsbad, becoming the first Legoland outside of Europe. This colorful theme park has since delighted families with its imaginative attractions and impressive LEGO displays—definitely a must-visit for any brick enthusiast! 

DId you know that the present day area of Downtown Naperville was once a thriving Potawatomi Village?  There was even a trail that led from this village all the way to Chicago, which later became Ogden Avenue.

Thanks for reading! See you tomorrow, and remember to always support your local businesses!

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