🌱 How a $30M early childhood center could reshape Zion’s future
Zion, Illinois Patch AM: a 4 min readHello again Zion! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How a $30M early childhood center could reshape Zion’s future
- Which familiar faces were hiding behind Elmwood’s Masked Reader costumes?
Also on today's calendar: Let's Talk SNAP.
Today's riddle: what do you call a rabbit with fleas? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Wednesday: Becoming windier and cooler, with a high of 58 and low of 41 degrees.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 59, low: 49.
- Friday: A morning shower; warmer, with a high of 74 and low of 57 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Nonprofit to bring early education to childcare ‘desert': ‘Every kid … should have the same opportunity' (chicagotribune.com) — A new $30 million Educare Lake County early childhood center is under construction on 27th Street in Zion, between Shiloh Park and Zion Central Middle School, and could open by the 2027-28 school year. The nonprofit-run school will serve 174 children from six weeks to age 5, offer full-day, year-round programming, and aims to address Zion’s long-standing childcare shortage while strengthening the local education pipeline. 
• Elmwood holds third annual Masked Reader event for students (lakecountygazette.com) — Elmwood Elementary students in Zion District 6 just wrapped up their Third Annual Masked Reader event, where mystery staff read aloud in costume and were later revealed at a school-wide assembly. The literacy-focused activity highlights how Zion’s elementary schools are using playful, community-building events to get kids more excited about reading while sharing updated district demographics and spending figures.
📸 Around Zion
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🗓
Upcoming Events in
Zion
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
Zion Township Board Meeting — Zion Township →
Zion City Hall, 2828 Sheridan Rd, Zion
6:00 pm
Tuesday May 19
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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Let's Talk SNAP →
Zion-Benton Public Library, 2400 Gabriel Ave, Zion
3:00 pm -
ISA Certification Exams →
Shiloh Center, 2600 Emmaus Ave, Zion
6:00 pm
Thursday May 21
Tuesday June 9
📣 Zion Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
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RFU Community Care Connection Mobile Clinic
Holy Family Food Pantry, 912 8th St, Waukegan
10:00 am -
Park on Park
GLMV Chamber of Commerce, Park St. & Seymour Ave., Mundelein
4:00 pm -
Tennis: Boys Varsity (Rescheduled to 05-08-26) vs. Johnsburg High
Johnsburg High School
4:30 pm -
Baseball: JV Game vs Round Lake (Home)
North Chicago High School
4:30 pm -
D6 Fine Arts Fest (Band) @ Christ Community Church
Zion Elementary School District 6 Zion, IL 60099
5:00 pm -
NJHS Bingo Bash
River Trail School, 333 O'Plaine Rd, Gurnee
6:00 pm -
LBMS Spring Chorus Concert
Lake Bluff School District, 121 E. Sheridan Place, Lake Bluff
7:00 pm -
Senior Picnic
Foss Park, 1901 Foss Park Ave, North Chicago
1:00 pm -
Tennis: Boys Varsity vs. GrantGrayslake CentralGrayslake NorthNort
D117 Tennis Facility
4:00 pm
Wednesday May 13
Thursday May 14
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Looking to do my garage floor in epoxy.
Standard 2car garage .. throw me your price on here With materials and labor included . Thanks (Nextdoor Zion Precinct Four O Three)
- Kentucky Fried Chicken posted a job opening for Team Member in Zion. Apply here.
- Murphy USA, Inc. posted a job opening for Cashier in Zion. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Zion here.
🗞 Nearby News
Beach Park
- How much did Beach Park households pay in property taxes for police and fire pensions in FY 2024? (lakecountygazette.com)
Waukegan
- Giant teddy bear draws thousands to Waukegan beach: ‘It's simply magnificent' (chicagotribune.com)
- Waukegan Public Schools to launch new website and communication tools this summer (lakecountygazette.com)
- Highwood's new restaurant, Pelago Cafe, to feature cuisine inspired by Emilia-Romagna (chicagotribune.com)
Grayslake
- Volo Museum Gets $50 Ticket for Car That Hasn’t Moved in Years: Report (patch.com)
Ok Zion! 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: Bugs Bunny ! (Thank you bruce A. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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