How polluted is the Des Plaines River with hidden microplastics?
How did Des Plaines stack up in a new national livability ranking?
Which Des Plaines firms just won big Illinois Tollway contracts?
Also on today's calendar: IKEA Family Kite Festival..Celebrating America May 23 and May 24 and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: Why did the weatherman's cheeks turn pink? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Weather forecast:
Friday: Considerable clouds, with a high of 64 and low of 55 degrees.
Saturday: A shower in the a.m.; cloudy, temps: high: 67, low: 56.
Sunday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 76 and low of 57 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Lake Michigan, Chicago River polluted with harmful microplastics (audacy.com) — Des Plaines residents should know that new testing found microplastics in the Des Plaines River, nearby Busse Lake and Skokie Lagoons, as well as Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. Advocates warn these tiny plastic particles may threaten human health and wildlife, and they’re pushing for stronger state and local policies to curb plastic pollution at its source.
• This Illinois village named among the top 15 best places to live in US. Here's why (bnd.com) — Des Plaines ranks 144th in U.S. News & World Report’s new list of the 250 best places to live, one of 13 Illinois communities to make the cut. Buffalo Grove leads the state at No. 15 nationally, with rankings based on affordability, jobs, education, healthcare, environment, and quality-of-life factors.
• Illinois Tollway awards nearly $19.8 million in Construction Contracts in May 2026 (suburbanchicagoland.com) — Two Des Plaines-based contractors just landed multimillion-dollar Illinois Tollway jobs, including bridge and systemwide structural rehabilitation as part of the Move Illinois and Bridging the Future programs. While the work is spread across the region, it represents new investment and job support tied directly to firms headquartered in Des Plaines.
📸 Around Des Plaines
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🪧 Patch Classifieds
Buscas asegurar el futuro de tu familia? ¿Sabes que pasaría con tus seres queridos, tus hijos ó el pago de tu casa si mańana llegarás a faltar? Proteger el patrimonio de tu familia es más... (More info)
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
Wheeling Township Recognizes Older Americans Month —St. Steven PR Read on Patch
Village Treasure House honored by Hunger Resource Network as 2026 Corporate Hunger Hero of the Year —Alan Blitz, Volunteer Media Writer Read on Patch
I found someone's missing bird at the Rosemont Ice Arena at 7115 Barry Street. I caught him and am holding him in a safe place until I can take him to the vet after work. Please contact me if this is your bird, I'd hate for… (Nextdoor Lee St)
We need concrete work done on our driveway. Would appreciate recommendations from the group who have used a professional in this area and had a good experience with the concrete work being done… (Nextdoor Golf Des Plaines)
Dollar Tree Family Dollar - Dollar Tree, Inc. posted a job opening for Customer Service Associate I in Des Plaines. Apply here.
AutoZone, Inc. posted a job opening for Retail Sales Associate - Part Time in Des Plaines. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Des Plaines here.
🗞 Nearby News
Mount Prospect
Village, Library Close On New Community Connections Center (journal-topics.com)
Rising Cost Of Materials, Railroad ‘Complexity' Push Up Cost Of Northwest Highway Pedestrian Bridge (journal-topics.com)
Park Ridge
Rabid Bat Found In Park Ridge Neighborhood: IDPH (patch.com)
Rosemont
The 2026 Sports Card Convention Circuit: A Strategic Guide to the Year's Biggest Hobby Events (cardboardconnection.com)
Chicago Wolves Advance To Calder Cup Playoffs' Western Conference Final (nhl.com)
Ok Des Plaines! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: He saw the climate change! (Thank you Gary M. for sending it in!)Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!