What to watch out for in Kane County in 2025

Big things are in store for Kane County in 2025. Here are some of the headlines we expect this year.

Whole Foods to open in St. Charles this spring

A new grocery destination will open in downtown St. Charles this spring.

Whole Foods bought the former Blue Goose Market in June 2023 and renovations to the building at 300 S. Second St. and adjacent parking lot have been underway since the summer.

The parking lot renovation is complete, signs have been installed and interior renovations are ongoing. The store is expected to open its doors this spring.

The Ludwig case in Wayne

Joe Petit’s dog Ludwig was shot by a neighbor in 2021. Petit filed a lawsuit in 2023 seeking more than $500,000 in damages plus attorney’s fees. Petit’s neighbor Hall Phipps is married to Wayne Village President Eileen Phipps. The shooting started a movement called Justice for Ludwig. Feb. 11 is the next court date.

Election in St. Charles

Nine St. Charles seats are up for election in April, including mayor, city clerk and treasurer.

Voters also will have choices for several City Council seats during the consolidated election April 1.

St. Charles Mayor Lora Vitek will face off against challenger and former judge Clint Hull.

Every incumbent alderperson filed to run for reelection. Four races drew challengers. Several incumbents are unopposed, but voters will see contested races in Wards 1, 2, 3 and 5.

Assault on Marklund resident

Isaiah S. Fields was indicted on three counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault of a developmentally disabled woman living at Marklund Hyde Center near Geneva. The crime was discovered when the resident went into labor with his child. Jury trial is set for Feb. 6.

Fire Station No. 3

The Fox River and Countryside Fire Rescue District in St. Charles Township is building Fire Station No. 3, which broke ground in September. The project is the result of a successful $13 million bond issue in 2022. The station is expected to be completed sometime this summer.

Schielke’s possible 12th term in Batavia

Will Jeff Schielke continue to make history as one of the nation’s longest standing mayors? He has served as Batavia’s mayor since 1981, making him the 11th longest standing mayor in the U.S. Another term could move him into the top 10.

Batavia voters will have choices for their next mayor and four City Council members in the consolidated election April 1. Batavia has 10 City Council seats up for election, along with seats for mayor and city clerk. Only five races will be contested.

Schielke is running for reelection for what would be his 12th term and will face off against former Alderman Thomas Connelly.

Connelly was voted in to fill a vacancy in Ward 4 in 2021 and ran unopposed in 2023 but resigned shortly after that election.

Third Rail project

Construction started in 2022 for the Union Pacific/Metra’s Third Main Line project, also known as the Third Rail project. It will provide six new miles of track from Geneva to West Chicago. The new rail will be set 20 feet south of the current tracks from Peck Road to Route 25. Completion is expected in the spring.

Fox Haven Square and pickleball facility

East side development in St. Charles will be underway this summer and plans are to have businesses operating by fall.

St. Charles approved plans for Fox Haven Square in June 2024. The development will include four buildings around a central plaza that will house a mix of restaurants, stores and an indoor pickleball complex on a vacant 7.5-acre parcel at the corner of Kirk Road and Route 64 between the Jewel Osco and Old Second National Bank.

Developers are hoping to have the first businesses operating in Fox Haven Square by September.

Businesses may include notable Chicago-based restaurants Parlor Pizza Bar and Hampton Social, as well as a Mexican restaurant and a Burger Local.

St. Charles power contract

Amid a national push toward clean, renewable energy, St. Charles faces a decision to either agree to a long-term contract extension with its coal-reliant energy provider or explore other options.

Illinois Municipal Electric Agency is a nonprofit power supply agency that provides power to 32 municipalities in Illinois.

St. Charles has been sourcing its power from IMEA since 2004 and is under contract with the energy provider until Sept. 30, 2035.

With more than 10 years left on the contract, IMEA is urging St. Charles and other Illinois municipalities including Naperville and Winnetka to enter into a new power sales contract that would extend the agreement through May 2055.

Many residents and St. Charles City Council members are hesitant to support the extension mainly because of concerns over sustainability, coal reliance and unclear plans for future clean energy production.

The city is expected to make a final decision by April.

Batavia’s first cannabis dispensary

While plans still are in early review stages, Dutchess Cannabis could be open in Batavia this summer should the owners receive City Council approval.

The city is reviewing a proposal from Boston-based applicant Rubino Ventures requesting a conditional use permit to operate a recreational cannabis dispensary called Dutchess Cannabis out of the former Arby’s restaurant at 144 S. Randall Road.

Should they receive approval, owners plan to begin construction in February and open in June.

The proposal will be reviewed by the Committee of the Whole at their Jan. 14 meeting.