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0 Sports Robert Tonyan agreed to a 1-year-deal with Chicago after spending the first five years of his NFL career with the rival Green Bay Packers. Jeff Arnold , Patch Staff Posted | Updated Reply CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — Robert Tonyan embraces the fact that one's journey to a destination doesn’t always have to follow a traditional or similar path that others may choose to follow. After all, for someone who has never wanted to compare himself to anyone else, taking a unique route to his dreams always made the most sense. So, when the McHenry native and former McHenry High School star quarterback set his eyes on an NFL career years ago, Tonyan was willing to get there by any means necessary. But for a 28-year-old veteran tight end who on Thursday signed a one-year free agent deal with the Chicago Bears, the fact that he is now at the place where he always envisioned being one day after spending four years on the other side of … [Read more...] about McHenry’s Tonyan Signs With Bears: ‘I Know I Made The Right Decision’

0 Politics & Government Village trustees talk about a drop in the police pension account. David Giuliani , Patch Staff Posted | Updated Reply BURR RIDGE, IL – A couple of Burr Ridge trustees expressed concerns last week about the decrease in the money on hand in the village's police pension account. According to village numbers, the account is expected to drop by more than $2.5 million from 2021 to the next budget year, which starts May 1. That would leave the fund at $21 million. Speaking about the pension fund, Trustee Russell Smith noted the gap between next year's projected $1.3 million in income and the $1.5 million in spending. That is happening even though the village is adding $84,000 more in village money to the account more than what state law requires, officials said. "That tells me that we're not doing that great of a job," Smith said at a Village Board meeting. Pointing to what's in … [Read more...] about ‘Our Checkbook Is Declining’: Burr Ridge Official

0 Crime & Safety The cause of the fire does not appear to be suspicious, fire crews said. Emily Rosca , Patch Staff Posted Reply OSWEGO, IL — A barn in the 3300 block of Minkler Road in Oswego is "a total loss" after it caught fire early Monday morning, officials said. The KenComm 911 center received a report of the fire just before 4 a.m. from an on-duty Kendall County Sheriff's Office deputy. When firefighters arrived, they found a "fully involved fire" in a barn; the house on the property was untouched, according to the Oswego Fire Protection District. Crews used a defensive attack and were able to bring the fire under control, but the structure was destroyed. The cause of the fire, which does not appear to be susicious, officials said, remains under investigation. Plainfield, Bristol-Kendall, Little Rock-Fox fire departments helped Oswego firefighters by supplied water tenders, and Sugar Grove crews brought … [Read more...] about Barn ‘A Total Loss’ In Monday Morning Fire: Oswego FD

0 Traffic & Transit The project should wrap up this fall. Andrea Earnest , Patch Staff Posted | Updated Reply ROMEOVILLE, IL — The Interstate 55 and Weber Road interchange project is expected to wrap up by the end of fall, but projects are still finishing up on the diverging diamond project. Overnight paving of surface course at the ramps for the north contract ended Tuesday, according to the Village, which gave an update on the project on Sept. 19. Striping will now begin. A fence is also being placed along right-of-way ramps and light poles are being placed. Sidewalks are finishing up, with a sidewalk placed between Windham to Remington and ADA ramps at Lakeview Drive and Windham Parkway. Lastly, a shared use path and topsoil south of Normantown and north of the interchange to Windham Parkway and on Windham Parkway and on Lakeview Drive is not yet finished. The project added a third lane to each … [Read more...] about I-55, Weber Road Project Wrapping Up

0 Traffic & Transit Occasional lane closures will continue as miscellaneous items on the project are completed. Andrea Earnest , Patch Staff Posted Reply ROMEOVILLE, IL — State, county and local officials celebrated the opening of the improved Weber Road and Interstate 55 interchange on Monday. The project was part of a $96.7 million investment to improve safety and mobility, according to a release from the state. “After years of construction and tens of millions of dollars, I’m thrilled to announce that improvements to the Weber Road interchange have been completed,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a release. “This is a win for motorists, bikers, and pedestrians who will see added lanes and modernized traffic signals—simultaneously improving safety and efficiency. Investments, like the one along Weber Road, are what our Rebuild Illinois capital plan is all about: making sure we have good jobs and the roads to get there and … [Read more...] about Officials Celebrate Weber Road, Interstate 55 Interchange Opening

4 Traffic & Transit Naperville police will be ramping up their patrols leading up to and during St. Patrick's Day weekend Lisa Marie Farver , Patch Staff Posted Replies NAPERVILLE, IL — As St. Patrick's Day weekend approaches, Naperville police are urging drivers to stay sober and vigilant. Police will be ramping up patrols ahead of and during the weekend to help keep drivers and pedestrians safe during a holiday that is considered "one of the nation's deadliest," a news release from Naperville police said. “This year, St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Friday, which means we expect to see more parties throughout the weekend," Naperville Police Sgt. Derek Zook said in a statement. "If you’ve been drinking, using cannabis or any other impairing drug, make the smart choice and plan for a sober driver to get you and your friends home safely. Remember that Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving, and we’ll be out looking for impaired … [Read more...] about Naperville Cops Urge Sober, Safe Driving For St. Patrick’s Day