The Latest Breaking News from Downers Grove

Chicago-area contractor goes missing in sewer as he is swept away during heavy storms

A Chicago-area contractor working in a sewer pipe was swept away by stormwaters Monday afternoon and still has not been found.

The Independent UK · Jul 28

Willis Johnson, co-founder of largest Illinois-based theaters, dies at 86. He loved ‘being part of the fun’ with movie-goers

The co-founder of Classic Cinemas was a lifelong Downers Grove resident. Willis Johnson spent his life finding historic, pushed aside buildings and turning them into downtown movie theaters and community hubs.

Chicago Sun-Times · Aug 19, 2023

Bella Notte is leaving Chicago, citing crime and business-killing bureaucracy

One of the city’s oldest Italian restaurants announced it would be closing its Chicago location and moving to Downers Grove.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jul 19, 2023

First babies of 2023 born at Chicago-area hospitals

Aalora Vyas was born about 12:37 a.m. at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jan 1, 2023

After big losses last week, Illinois GOP vows big changes with new legislative leaders: ‘We certainly have a lot to rebuild’

House Republicans chose state Rep. Tony McCombie as their leader. The former Savanna mayor told the Sun-Times last week that the election showed “those that are on the extreme” are “not what Illinois wants.” Senate Republicans selected state Sen. John Curran of Downers Grove to guide their caucus.

Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 16, 2022

US Rep. Sean Casten says his teen daughter died of sudden cardiac arrhythmia

CHICAGO — U.S. Rep. Sean Casten’s 17-year-old daughter died in June of sudden heart failure in the family’s Downers Grove home, the congressman said Friday.

Chicago Tribune · Oct 8, 2022

Tyson Foods will move about 500 corporate employees in Chicago and suburbs to Arkansas headquarters

Meat processor Tyson Foods will move about 500 corporate employees based in its Chicago office and Downers Grove, Illinois, innovation center to its Springdale, Arkansas, world headquarters, the company said in a news release Wednesday.

Chicago Tribune · Oct 5, 2022

Tyson moving 500 Chicago, Downers Grove employees to Arkansas HQ

“There are no layoffs associated with this announcement,” a Tyson spokesman said. “We will be offering relocation assistance and severance will be determined on an individual basis for those who choose not to relocate.”

Chicago Sun-Times · Oct 5, 2022

Threats that shut down Downers Grove library drag bingo show included envelope with a letter — and a bullet: ‘More to come’

Downers Grove Commissioner Greg Hosé said he regretted not speaking out at a Village Council meeting earlier this month over the library. At that meeting, he said, the chambers were filled with “hateful, anti inclusive rhetoric.”

Chicago Sun-Times · Oct 1, 2022

Public libraries are essential. Don’t let those who oppose inclusive values target them.

There are some who would rather do away with libraries and the freedom of public space altogether. We now see this happening in Downers Grove where a drag queen bingo event was canceled due to threats of violence.

Chicago Sun-Times · Sep 14, 2022