🪪 Illinois Real ID: The pressure’s on

I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of the Real ID saga.

It’s not interesting to talk about, it’s not fun to write about…but that irritating May 7 deadline isn’t going away.

That means anyone who wishes to fly domestically without a passport will need one by then — and only 30% of Illinoisans have made the switch.

As of this weekend, I’m one of ‘em (after originally being rejected several months ago despite bringing what felt like every piece of official paperwork I’d acquired during my lifetime).

To help with the expected last-minute rush, the Secretary of State’s office is adding thousands of DMV appointments in the coming weeks.

Some Real ID tips

• Appointment: Here’s the official site where you can search for and make your Real ID appointment.

• Search: When you filter for your zip code, you’ll probably see the St. Charles, Aurora, Elgin and Naperville DMV locations — all, most likely, with no available appointments.

• Tip: Rather than giving in and making an appointment to drive somewhere insane like Peoria or Bethalto, I simply kept checking back and refreshing the page periodically throughout the day (triggering flashbacks to 2021 searching for COVID vaccines in the process).

• It worked: After several attempts, a bunch of appointments appeared for the St. Charles DMV, and I booked one immediately. If you don’t mind a little manual work, I recommend this approach.

• Documents: Use this checklist to ensure you’ve got the proper documentation — thus avoiding a soul-crushing rejection mere inches from the finish line.

And if you’re fortunate enough to snag an appointment at the St. Charles DMV, congratulations — that legit might be the friendliest, most efficient DMV in the country.

📰 News to use

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☑️ Change in STC: St. Charles Police Chief James Keegan will step down on 3/19 after a decade of leadership. Deputy Chief Eric Majewski will serve as interim chief while a search for a permanent replacement begins.

☑️ Fatal crash: According to the St. Charles Police Department, a DeKalb woman died on Friday after being thrown from her vehicle in a traffic crash on Route 38 west of Peck Road.

☑️ Investigation finished: The driver of a semi-truck that crashed into a pedestrian in Batavia earlier this month has been cited with failure to yield and no valid registration.

☑️ Road refresh: St. Charles is wrapping up Prairie Street’s final construction phase this spring after last year’s utility upgrades, with a $500K grant expected to fund work on even more restoration improvements beginning in May.

☑️ Job well done: Batavia’s $3.9M Prairie and Wilson Street project (completed in the fall) was recognized as the “Project of the Year for Transportation – Less Than $5M” by the APWA Chicago Metro Chapter. The project will now be considered for the national award.

🔒 Flee + freeze: Kane County’s new Batman-style “Grappler” (the first of its kind in Illinois) is already snagging fleeing vehicles and bringing high-speed chases to a halt. See videos of various Grappler vehicles in action.

☑️ New chapter: Hoover-Wood Elementary School in Batavia is getting a new principal next school year — Sean Degman (an assistant principal from Park Ridge) will step in as Gina Greenwald retires after 11 years.

🏘️ In the community

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☑️ Neighbors in need: Limestone Coffee & Tea and Hearth & Hammer in Batavia are leading a community effort to collect grocery and home goods gift cards for newly arrived local refugees to help fill gaps left by federal cuts. Learn more and how to donate.

☑️ Spring loaded: From kids activities and educational programs to adult athletics, community events and a senior citizens club, the Batavia Park District’s Spring Fun Guide is packed with useful info. Check out the online version.

🔒 Heroic hustlers: A few weeks back, Geneva Public Works crews spent over 36 hours repairing seven water main breaks and leaks in just 10 days after shifting ground from rapidly fluctuating temps took a toll on the city’s pipes.

☑️ Frozen fun: Spring might be just around the corner, but the St. Charles Business Alliance has great tips for making the most of winter’s remaining days with a variety of entertaining indoor activities and outdoor adventures.

☑️ Radiance ready: The Geneva Chamber held a joint ribbon cutting on Friday for Aligned Beauty Studio, DB Aesthetics, and Hamilton Salon & Spa Suites — which are all joining forces for under one roof to provide a one-stop wellness and beauty shop.

☑️ Spring cleaning selling: Geneva’s citywide garage sale (coming up in April) is now accepting registrations. It’s a pretty solid deal — the Chamber handles marketing, printing and material distribution for all participants.

🎸 Live music

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This week’s springlike temperatures have me daydreaming about the return of patio season — and the proliferation of live music performances that will come with it. Getting closer!

Meanwhile, here are this week’s indoor shows.

🗞️ Un-classifieds

☑️ Local home sales: See recent property sales for Kane County — including this $800K home on Ellis Johnson Lane in St. Charles.

☑️ Baller retreat: Remember when Michael Jordan’s Highland Park mansion was on the market for nearly a decade with no activity? You can now rent it for $230K a month.

☑️ Local obits: Recent obituaries posted by Tri-Cities funeral homes — plus a tribute to the “most decorated dog in US history.”

☑️ Get connected: Recently relocated to Batavia or North Aurora? Check out Welcome Home Batavia, a free service that will provide you the info, resources, gifts and gift certificates you need to feel connected to your community.

☑️ City meetings:

• Monday (2/24): STC Government Services Committee Meeting (agenda)

• Tuesday (2/25): Batavia Committee of the Whole Meeting (agenda)

☑️ Police reports: Batavia police report summaries | Geneva police reports

🗓️ Events & Things to Do

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☑️ Wine & Dine Night | Wed 2/26 | Up North Wine Tasting & Stockholm’s Geneva | Grab some wine, then get dinner at Stockholm’s — with discounts on both.

🎟️ Bunco Friend-Raiser | Wed 2/26, 6-9M | Eagle Brook Country Club, Geneva | Bunco games, prizes, food and drink — all supporting charity!

🎟️ Propagating Annuals | Thurs 2/27, 8-11AM | Batavia Park District | Learn how to grow your own annuals from cuttings with the Batavia Park District's expert grower.

☑️ Girls’ Night Out! | Thurs 2/27, 6-9PM | The Lewis, STC | A fun mix of cosmetics, skincare and delicious cocktails.

☑️ But Seriously, Folks… | Thurs 2/27, 7PM | Batavia Fine Arts Centre | A laugh-out-loud performance blending clever comedy and heartwarming stories.

🎟️ God of Carnage | Thurs 2/27 thru Sun 3/9, Various Times | Kane Repertory Theatre, STC | Performing the dramatic, dynamic story of two Brooklyn families.

☑️ Gather25 | Fri 2/28, 7PM - Sat 3/1, 8PM | Arcada Theatre, STC | Fox Valley Christians invite folks to celebrate the 25-hour worldwide event.

🌖 Weather snapshot

⛅️ Today: High 49F | Low 34F | Sun then clouds

🌤️ Tuesday: High 47F | Low 34F | Spring-ish

🌧️ Wednesday: High 48F | Low 34F | Wet + windy

☁️ Thursday: High 46F | Low 25F | Gray + gusty

📖 Thanks for reading

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