🗳️ Local election guidance

Early voting for the Nov. 5 general election has begun. How well do you know the local candidates and voting processes?

Here are some resources:

• Batavia Voter Guide: Batavians will vote in the State Senate race, three State Representative races, plus various Kane County and DuPage County races.

• Geneva Voter Guide: Geneva’s guide looks very similar to Batavia’s — though the 65th District race replaces 50th District race, and DuPage County won’t be on the ballot.

• St. Charles Voter Guide: Two State Representative races will be on the ballot along with Kane County races.

• Voter Registration Lookup: Check to see if you’re registered and find polling places and key dates.

• Find My Elected Representatives: A useful interactive map allowing you to see elected officials for any location in Illinois.

• Candidates: View a list of candidates for both Kane County and DuPage County races. Printable lists are available for both.

If you still need to register to vote, you can do that here. If you’re already registered and prefer to vote early, here are the Kane County locations and DuPage County locations where you can do so.

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📰 News to use

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☑️ City projects: A Geneva commission recommended approval of the Geneva Crossing Townhomes project and a text amendment to allow food manufacturing, packaging, and processing as a special use in the I1 district.

☑️ Free COVID kits: American households can now order up to four at-home COVID nasal swab tests for free. Here’s what you should know.

☑️ Blacksmith battle: Geneva ordered the owners of the historic blacksmith shop to make the structure weather-tight by October 17 following a violation of the city's property maintenance code.

☑️ Detour switcheroo: Once the Third Street railroad crossing in Geneva reopens on Friday (10/4), work will then shift to Western Avenue on October 7 for an anticipated five-week closure.

🔒 Riverfront reconstruction: Geneva Cycle Shop — a 59-year-old business adjacent to the blacksmith shop along the river — was demolished last week as part of a larger redevelopment plan by the Shodeen Group.

☑️ Batavia intersection: A final phase of asphalt work on Wilson and Prairie streets should be completed today and tomorrow (9/30 & 10/1), and then…smooth sailing!

🏘️ In the community

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☑️ Batavia beautified: The new "Art of the Fox" mural series will kick off with a ceremony on Wednesday (10/2), featuring works by 10 artists on the Batavia Government Center overlooking the Riverwalk and Fox River.

☑️ Spooky season: Thrill-seekers have a wide variety of haunted houses and creative Halloween displays to choose from across the suburbs this year, including several local destinations.

☑️ Local champion: The Batavia Chamber is seeking nominations for its annual Citizen of the Year Award, which honors extraordinary lifetime contributions to the community. Know anyone deserving?

🔒 Extracurricular boost: The Batavia school district is launching a new partnership with the Boys & Girls Club to provide educational and recreational after-school services.

☑️ Scholastic recognition: Geneva’s Heartland Elementary School was one of only 18 schools in the state to be named as a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.

🔒 Local football victories: Batavia boat raced Wheaton North 41-0. Geneva whomped Glenbard North 38-12. St. Charles East beat Lake Park 27-21 in OT. St. Charles North stunned Wheaton Warrenville South 37-32. Check out the conference standings.

🎸 Live music

Sadly, it appears that several establishments are shutting down weekly live music for the season. On the bright side — it was a heck of a run.

The mid-week lineup for the Tri-Cities may be a bit smaller, but you’ve still got plenty of performances to choose from.

🏬 Local biz

☑️ Call it a comeback: Local home and consignment shop Pärla is bouncing back from the fire damage it sustained in July with a grand re-opening at Dodson Place on Third Street in Geneva this Friday (10/4).

☑️️ Holiday tradition: St. Charles is now accepting applications from local businesses and organizations for its annual Electric Christmas Parade, which takes place November 30 in downtown St. Charles.

☑️ STC podcast: Listen to a lively chat with Kane Repertory Theatre Board Members Mary Kruse and Lisa Macaione about the history of the theatre company, their local theatre experiences and more.

🗓️ Events & things to do

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🎟️ Beech Tree Studio October Workshops | Starting Tues, 10/1 | Beech Tree Studio, Geneva | Get expert instruction on colored pencil drawing in a workshop or a class.

☑️️ Intro to Home Brewing | Wed 10/2, 6-8PM | Geneva Public Library | Learn the basics of making your own craft beer.

☑️️ Autumn Lantern Walk | Thurs 10/3, 4-7PM | Downtown Batavia | Sip, shop and explore downtown Batavia on a cozy, illuminated path.

☑️️ Senior Stroll | Thurs 10/3, 10AM-12PM | Johnson’s Mound, Elburn | Seniors can trek with a naturalist and learn about the surrounding land.

🎟️ BYOB Sunset Cruise | Fri 10/4, 5:30PM | Paddlewheel Riverboats, STC | Get your tickets for the last cruise til next summer!

🎟️ Hops for Hope 5K & Brewfest | Sat 10/5, 12PM | Mt. St. Mary Park, STC | Get in a brisk jog along the Fox River or sign up for the beer fest only.

🎟️ Bourbon Social | Sat 10/5, 4-8PM | Liquor ‘n’ Wine, STC | Get tastings of over 30 bottles plus live music, cigars and more.

🗞️ Un-classifieds

☑️ Local home sales: See recent property sales for the Tri-Cities and Kane County — including this $900K home on Columbine West in St. Charles.

☑️ Local obits: Recent obituaries posted by Tri-Cities funeral homes.

☑️ City meetings: A special Geneva City Council meeting will be held tonight (9/30) to consider adopting the 2030 Strategic Plan. Batavia will hold a roundtable of elected and appointed officials to discuss the South River Street Corridor Plan on Wednesday (10/2).

🌖 Weather snapshot

🌤️ Today: High 78F | Low 58F | Delightful

🌤️ Tuesday: High 69F | Low 40F | Rather windy

☀️ Wednesday: High 71F | Low 48F | Mr. Sun

🌤️ Thursday: High 79F | Low 48F | Scattered clouds

📖 Thanks for reading

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