Good morning, DuPage! Grab your umbrella because we’re expecting light rain today with a high of 72°F and a low of 47°F. Enjoy the warm weather while you can as tomorrow will be a lot colder.

In his recent State of the City address, West Chicago Mayor Daniel Bovey highlighted a major milestone in the city's history: the transformation of a 40-acre site, formerly occupied by the Kerr-McGee plant, into a new community park. The factory, which closed in 1973, was once a source of radioactive contamination, requiring decades of environmental remediation. With the final cleanup stages recently completed—including the last shipments of contaminated material in late 2025—the property is expected to be officially turned over to the city by the end of this year, effectively closing a long and difficult chapter for the community.

The proposed park project, developed by Upland Design Ltd., features a four-phase plan that includes natural areas, asphalt trails, and courts for pickleball, tennis, and basketball. A key feature of the design is an "under-the-rails" pedestrian walkway that will connect the new space to the existing Pioneer Park, creating a continuous 80-acre green space for residents. Beyond the park announcement, Mayor Bovey detailed several other city initiatives, such as a $30 million road improvement project, efforts to revitalize the downtown area, and the upcoming replacement of lead service lines, all aimed at enhancing the quality of life for future generations.

The Elmhurst Independent, a long-standing weekly newspaper, has officially changed hands following its acquisition by O’Rourke Media Group. Led by owner Jim O’Rourke, the multi-state newspaper chain assumed control of the publication last week, ending the local stewardship of the Cruger family and Rock Valley Publishing. O’Rourke has stated that the company does not intend to alter the paper’s unique identity, but rather aims to strengthen its operations and provide the necessary support to ensure its continued presence as a vital community resource.

The transition marks the end of a significant era for the Cruger family, whose ties to Elmhurst journalism date back to 1922 when they first purchased the Elmhurst Press. Former publisher Peter Cruger described the sale as an "emotional transaction," reflecting on his family's century-long commitment to local news, which grew to include 35 weekly newspapers over several generations. This shift comes amidst a broader national decline in local media and follows the recent sale of the paper's long-time West Avenue office building to a residential developer.

The Lombard Fire Department has announced a new Heartsaver CPR training session scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2026. The class, which begins at 9 a.m. at Fire Station 45, is specifically designed for non-medical individuals who want to learn how to respond effectively during cardiac, choking, or opioid-related emergencies. In addition to high-quality CPR and AED instruction, participants will receive hands-on training in the administration of Narcan, providing a comprehensive toolkit for community members to act as first responders in critical situations.

Registration is open to the public for a fee of $25 per person, though space is strictly limited to 10 participants per session to ensure personalized, hands-on guidance. Because these classes typically fill quickly, village officials encourage early sign-ups via phone or email. For those unable to attend the April session, the Fire Department has tentatively scheduled additional training dates throughout the year, with classes planned for June 6, September 19, and November 14, ensuring ongoing opportunities for residents to build these essential life-saving skills.

See our Calendar of Events Here!

On this day in 2005, astronomer Michael E. Brown and his team made a stellar discovery at the Palomar Observatory, unveiling the dwarf planet Makemake. This little celestial body is named after the creator god of the Rapa Nui people of Easter Island—how cool is that?

Founded in 1888 at the intersection of Army Trail Road and Gary Avenue, Cloverdale was a tiny farming hub. Its first general store, Tedrahn’s, was designed with a very specific "tech" feature: the storefront was built at a height that perfectly matched the bed of a horse-drawn wagon. Farmers didn't even have to get down; they could just pull up and slide their supplies directly into the back of the wagon—basically the 19th-century version of a Target Drive Up.

Cloverdale eventually "disappeared" in 1959 when it was annexed into the newly formed village of Carol Stream.

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