The City of Aurora's Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Military Museum, in collaboration with the Aurora Historical Society, recently unveiled a 100-year-old time capsule, revealing a treasure trove of historical artifacts. The capsule, discovered before the 2019 demolition of the Lincoln Masonic Temple, contained 15 items, including a blueprint of the 1922 Lincoln Masonic Lodge, photographs, and Masonic documents. Museum Director Eric Pry expressed excitement over the well-preserved artifacts, which will soon be displayed to the public (City News Articles).
In Naperville, the city is conducting a special citywide brush collection following severe weather on August 11. Residents are encouraged to dispose of yard waste and debris through bagged, bundled, or loose collection options. Groot will collect bagged and bundled waste on regular garbage days without requiring stickers until August 31. Public Works crews will handle loose brush in a single-pass collection starting August 17 (City News).
Water and Infrastructure Improvements
The City of Aurora is actively addressing elevated lead levels in drinking water, following a Lead Action Level Exceedance Notice issued in July. The city's Water Production Division is leading public education efforts, emphasizing that water from the treatment plant complies with state and federal standards. Actions include ongoing sampling, public education, and lead service line replacements. Since 2018, Aurora has replaced 3,549 lead service lines, with more planned (City News Articles).
Additionally, Aurora residents affected by July flooding can apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBA has declared Kane County a disaster area, providing assistance to residents and businesses in Kane and surrounding counties. Applications are open until October 5 for residents and May 5, 2027, for businesses (City News Articles).
Community Engagement and Safety
Naperville is inviting high school students to engage in local government through two programs: serving as student representatives on city boards and commissions or participating in the KidsMatter Mayor's Chief of Staff internship. Applications are due by September 4, offering students valuable civic engagement experiences (City News).
In a recent public safety incident, Naperville police arrested a 35-year-old man, Daniel O’Neill, for wielding a machete and threatening apartment employees. The situation was resolved without injuries after police deployed a drone and a distraction device. O’Neill faces multiple charges, including aggravated assault and criminal damage (City News).
Environmental and Cultural Initiatives
Aurora is set to begin the Mastodon Lake Dredging and Shoreline Restoration Project, with a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for August 20. The project, supported by a $4 million state grant, aims to clear sediment, enhance recreational activities, and improve water quality. The initiative will involve reshaping the lake bottom, installing aeration fountains, and creating emergent wetlands (City News Articles).
Meanwhile, the City of Naperville is accepting applications for 2027 grant programs, offering over $2 million for community development, arts, social services, and opioid remediation projects. Workshops will guide applicants through the process, with deadlines in October (City News).