Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why Downers Grove delayed a decision on the busy Ogden Dutch Bros

Spotted on the Downers Grove calendar: Hoptoberfest at Hopvine Brewing

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Friday August 21st Patch AM
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Good morning Downers Grove! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why Downers Grove delayed a decision on the busy Ogden Dutch Bros
  • Why District 58 parents are fighting to keep full-time librarians
  • How a Downers Grove-based Tollway vote will hike your 2027 tolls

Also on today's calendar: Hoptoberfest at Hopvine Brewing and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What is full of holes but still holds water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: A heavy t-storm in the p.m., with a high of 80 and low of 64 degrees.
  • Saturday: A t-storm around in the p.m., temps: high: 81, low: 61.
  • Sunday: Sunshine; nice, less humid, with a high of 78 and low of 56 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Vote On Dutch Bros. Proposal Delayed In Downers Grove (patch.com) — Downers Grove's Village Council has postponed its vote on a proposed Dutch Bros drive-thru and retail project at Ogden and Saratoga, citing unresolved traffic and safety concerns near Herrick Middle School and Downers Grove North. Commissioners want more data on car stacking, school pickup changes, and possible safety conditions before deciding at the Sept. 8 meeting, while residents remain sharply divided over the project's location.
   

2. District 58 parents to rally in favor of full-time middle school librarians at Thursday forum (shawlocal.com) — Parents in Downers Grove District 58 are organizing to push back against a new plan that has middle school librarians at Herrick and O'Neill teaching tech classes for half the day instead of staffing libraries full time. At a Thursday 6 p.m. forum at the Downers Grove Civic Center, families plan to argue the change will weaken student support, equity, and the value of newly renovated library spaces.
   

3. Illinois Tollway Approves Major Toll Increase (1023thecoyote.net) — Based in Downers Grove, the Illinois Tollway Board has approved a 15-year, $26.5 billion capital plan that will raise I-PASS passenger tolls about 57 percent starting Jan. 1, 2027. The Driving Connections program will fund major upgrades on I-88, I-90, I-355 and other Tollway roads, with rates also tied to inflation every two years beginning in 2029.
   

4. Steve Soucie's Week 1 games to watch: No waiting required for some big in-season matchups (shawlocal.com) — High school football fans will see several marquee Week 1 matchups across Illinois, and Downers Grove gets a nod with Morgan Park visiting Downers Grove North. The statewide preview highlights multiple top-25 clashes, giving local fans a sense of how their program fits into an opening weekend packed with powerhouse showdowns and early-season tests.
   

📸 Around Downers Grove

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Oakwood Construction Services Builds Johnnie-O Store in Wilmette —edible ink Read on Patch
  • Found this this morning.
    It's on a stalk of corn the squirrels buried. I have another one on a leaf of a Mexican sunflower, but this one is more visible. And you can see it's… (Nextdoor Downers Grove - Hillcrest)
  • I missed the event and I was very saddened.
    I was told to protect it from harm, grabbing netting I ran to drape around it and it was gone! I was upset but saw a monarch butterfly sitting on a… (Nextdoor Downers Grove - Hillcrest)
  • KBP Brands posted a job opening for KFC Shift Manager in Downers Grove. Apply here.
  • Staff Management | SMX posted a job opening for CNC Machinist in Downers Grove. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Downers Grove here.

Ok Downers Grove! 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: A sponge (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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