Local Politics
Elections, city councils, school boards, and the people who shape local government.
Naperville Township Board Votes to Explore Dissolution, Shift Services to County
Naperville Township trustees voted 4-1 Tuesday to commission a feasibility study on dissolving the township and transferring services to DuPage County.
Geneva City Council Passes Ethics Ordinance With Campaign Contribution Caps
Geneva aldermen voted 7-3 Monday to impose contribution limits and a revolving-door policy on former officials seeking lobbying work.
Batavia City Council Deadlocks on Police Body Camera Expansion Funding
A 7-7 tie vote leaves Batavia's $1.2 million body camera program in limbo as aldermen clash over funding sources and oversight provisions.
Kane County Board Votes to Place Ranked-Choice Voting Referendum on November Ballot
Kane County Board members voted 14-10 Tuesday to place an advisory referendum on ranked-choice voting before voters this November.
Elgin School Board Votes to Close Two Elementary Schools in Consolidation Plan
The U-46 board voted 5-2 Thursday to close Hillcrest and Coleman Elementary schools at the end of the 2026-27 school year, citing enrollment declines and deferred maintenance costs.
Former Alderman Files for St. Charles Mayor, Citing Overdevelopment Concerns
Ray Montoya, a former District 4 alderman, filed a nominating petition Friday to challenge Mayor Lori Sheridan in the April 2027 consolidated election.
Kane County Board Votes to Place Quarter-Cent Sales Tax Hike on November Ballot
Kane County Board members voted 16-8 Tuesday to let voters decide on a 0.25% sales tax increase to fund infrastructure repairs.
Kane County Board Votes to Place Half-Cent Sales Tax Hike on November Ballot
Kane County Board members voted 16-8 Tuesday to let voters decide on a half-cent sales tax increase to fund transportation infrastructure.
Aurora City Council Approves Affordable Housing Overlay for East Side
Aurora aldermen voted 8-4 Monday to create a new affordable housing overlay district along East New York Street corridor.
Candidates Face Off in First Fox Valley Mayoral Forum of 2026
Candidates from three Fox Valley municipalities squared off Wednesday on housing affordability, public safety staffing, and development incentives in a forum hosted by the Fox Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Special Election Called for State House District 49 After Resignation
Rep. Colleen Conway's departure to take a position in the governor's office triggers a vacancy the parties will fill through their own selection processes before a general election.
St. Charles City Council Approves Controversial Downtown Zoning Changes in 4-3 Vote
The narrow vote allows mixed-use buildings up to six stories on four parcels along First Street, overriding a planning commission recommendation to cap heights at four stories.
Three Contested School Board Races Will Shape District Futures This Spring
Contested seats in Districts 101, 303, and U-46 feature sharp disagreements over curriculum, budget priorities, and administrative accountability.
Kane County District 2 Supervisor Contest Heats Up with Challenger Announcement
Former St. Charles alderman Patrick Dunne announced his candidacy Tuesday, setting up a fall contest against 12-year incumbent James Harrington.
Elgin Mayoral Race Draws Four Candidates as Filing Deadline Passes
Incumbent Mayor David Kaptain faces three challengers in the November municipal election, the most competitive mayoral field Elgin has seen in 16 years.