Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why Elgin’s tornado sirens can sound even without a tornado warning

And on the Elgin Patch calendar - YWCA Elgin to Honor Betty Brown with Legacy Award at 125th Celebration

Thursday August 20th Patch AM
Thursday August 20th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Good morning Elgin! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why Elgin's tornado sirens can sound even without a tornado warning
  • Why an Elgin lawmaker's drug discount law is facing a court challenge
  • How Elgin Community College students can tap new U of I transfer help

Also on today's calendar: YWCA Elgin to Honor Betty Brown with Legacy Award at 125th Celebration and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)


Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Mostly sunny and less humid, with a high of 81 and low of 58 degrees.
  • Friday: A heavy t-storm in the p.m., temps: high: 76, low: 62.
  • Saturday: Humid with a stray t-storm, with a high of 80 and low of 56 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Did you hear that? Suburban Chicago tornado sirens 'accidentally' go off in middle of night (nbcchicago.com) — Overnight tornado sirens accidentally blared across DuPage County, echoing confusion Elgin residents felt this spring when sirens sounded during storms without a tornado warning. Elgin officials clarify that local sirens activate whenever the National Weather Service issues any severe weather warning, and they're meant to alert people outdoors, not serve as an indoor notification system.
   

• Pharma companies seek to block state expansion of discount drug program (vandaliaradio.com) — An Elgin-based state representative, Anna Moeller, is at the center of a legal fight after drug manufacturers sued to block her law expanding Illinois' use of the federal 340B drug discount program. The companies argue the state overstepped its authority, while the law aims to help safety-net hospitals and clinics secure lower-cost medications for patients across Illinois.
   

• Parkland College, UIS partner on transfer drive program (jg-tc.com) — Elgin Community College students now have a clearer path to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign through a new Transfer Drive partnership that adds advising and up to $2,000 in performance-based aid. The broader U of I System initiative links several community colleges with its three universities, aiming to boost graduation rates for low-income Illinois students through coordinated support and financial help.
   


📸 Around Elgin

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Elgin

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Fox Valley Beaux Arts presents "Brushstrokes of America" luncheon and fashion show —Pat Szpekowski, APR Read on Patch
  • Nominations Open for 2026 Elgin Image Awards —Pat Szpekowski, APR Read on Patch
  • Chicago Poet Laureate to Kick Off Fall 2026 Reading Series at ECC —Elgin Community College Read on Patch
  • Kudos to LITH Costco.
    I left a water bottle there Sunday, and asked to see if it was turned in. It wasn't. They asked for my name and phone number, and told me they… (Nextdoor Century Oaks)
  • So back from visiting my wife in IN and look who followed me home!
    The one and only Little Miss Dani…the doggy dynamo! She's high energy and very smart so we find things to do to keep her mind and body busy. One of… (Nextdoor Cobblers Crossing)
  • ProAmpac Holdings, Inc. posted a job opening for Material Handler - 3rd Shift in Elgin. Apply here.
  • ITW posted a job opening for Extruder Operator in Bartlett. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Elgin here.

🗞 Nearby News

Carpentersville

  • Entry List: 2026 FloRacing Night In America At Marshalltown (floracing.com)

St. Charles

  • Giving back together: family edition (shawlocal.com)
  • Vintage RC planes take flight at Rockford event (rrstar.com)

Algonquin

  • Huntley Woman, 30, Killed In Crash: Authorities (patch.com)

Ok Elgin! 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: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!


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