Naperville District 203 approves updated design to transportation facility
The Naperville District 203 school board recently approved the final design for its new transportation facility.
The original 11,200-square-foot facility at 605 W. Fifth Ave. was initially approved in August. It has been modified into a 12,400-square-foot design which offers long-term financial savings and environmental benefits, district officials said.
The design, which includes sustainability features, geothermal-powered mechanicals and rooftop solar, is expected to cost between $19 million and $20 million, which is about $2 million more upfront, officials said. However, the district projects saving about $4.3 million in energy costs through 2050.
The sustainability features were not present in the original model, Superintendent Dan Bridges said.
The board approved the design Monday with six board members voting in favor of it and member Melissa Kelley Black abstaining.
Board member Joseph Kozminski said the design helps the environment, aligns with the district’s carbon action plan and offers a good return on investment.
Board member Holly Blastic said she likes that the district has more control over its energy costs and does not have to budget for increasing energy expenses.
Will County Forest District approves balanced budget
The Forest Preserve District of Will County board has approved an $83 million balanced budget that includes new police vehicles, maintenance equipment, a computer network upgrade and projects for public access and restoration.
The district’s tax rate is estimated at 0.0815 per $100 of equalized assessed valuation, down about 6.78% from the 2024 levy, officials said.
The tax rate has been dropping in the past few years. The owner of a home valued at about $350,000 paid $126.75 to the forest district in 2023, about $95.17 in 2024 and will pay about $89.08 under the 2025 tax levy, officials said.
The budget includes HVAC replacement at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon, which is estimated to cost between $850,000 and $1.1 million.
Some of the other projects the district has planned include preserve improvements at Isle a la Cache in Romeoville, campground improvements at Hammel Woods in Shorewood and shelter installations at the Hidden Lakes Trout Farm in Bolingbrook.
Engineering is planned for the DuPage River Trail and Weber Road connection, the Wolf’s Crossing Road and Normantown Trail connection and for the Riverview Farmstead Preserve trail and amenities and Book Road conversion.
Restoration work will be done at the Sand Ridge Savanna Nature Preserve in Custer Township, McKinley Woods in Channahon Township and Forked Creek Preserve in Wilmington.
These projects are funded through property taxes, transfers from operating funds and fund balances, including proceeds from the 2024 bond sale, officials said.
Naperville safety officials to offer tips for the holidays
Naperville Police Chief Jason Arres and Fire Chief Mark Puknaitis will lead a presentation, “Keeping the Season Bright: A Holiday Safety Session,” at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1 at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St.
The program will provide tips on how to keep families safe during the holidays, including simple and effective strategies to prevent fires, burglaries, scams and more, a news release said.
Participants can ask questions during the session, which is free and open to the public, the release said.
Park District winter guide to be released Dec. 3
The Naperville Park District will release its program guide for winter activities, camps and special events on Wednesday, Dec. 3 in preparation for registration.
Registration for winter programs begins at 8:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 8 for residents and at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 11 for nonresidents. Registration for winter break camps is currently available, the district said.
The program guide will feature information on winter break and spring break camps, outdoor winter sports locations and special events such as the Community Job Fair and the January production of “Shrek: The Musical.”
The park district is offering new art programs for all ages this season including Elements of Art, Acrylic Landscapes, Intuitive Painting and Paint Like the Impressionist.
Children from kindergarten to 8th grade that are interested in trying lacrosse can register for Team ONE Intro to Lacrosse, the district said.
Information will also be available for the Naperville Youth Soccer and Naperville Premier Soccer League and the park district’s preschool programs for the 2026-27 academic year.
Registration for the spring season of Naperville Youth Soccer and Naperville Premier Soccer League begins at noon Tuesday, Dec.16 for girls’ soccer, at noon Wednesday, Dec.17 for boys’ soccer and at noon Thursday, Dec. 18 for nonresidents.
Preschool registration for the 2026-27 school year begins at noon Tuesday, Jan. 20 for residents and at noon Thursday, Jan. 22 for nonresidents.
The guide will be posted online at www.napervilleparks.org/programguides.
North Central College to present “The Skriker”
The Department of Theatre at North Central College in Naperville will present Caryl Churchill’s “The Skriker” as part of the Student Storefront Series, an advanced theatre class featuring student-proposed and student-produced pieces under faculty mentorship.
“The Skriker” is a highly theatrical, stylized fairy tale about an ancient shapeshifting fairy who seeks to lure two young mothers into her world by offering wishes, the college said in a news release. It contains mature themes and language.
The production is co-directed by seniors Rowan Brando, Megan Jaax and Aidan McGuire and stage managed by Ashley Chavez with assistant stage manager Sophie Thill.
“’The Skriker’ is a perfect mix of whimsical and horrifying,” Brando said in a statement. “Our play is a love letter to avant-garde theatre dating back to the 1940s, and we hope it honors Caryl Churchill’s legacy as a feminist writer and a champion of dance-theatre.”
Lily Barger, who plays the shapeshifting ancient character of the Skriker, said the show is special and takes on a new way of thinking about feminism.
Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4 and Friday, Dec. 5, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7 at the Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth St. Doors open a half hour before showtime.
Tickets are $14 and can be bought at https://www.northcentralcollege.edu/show/tickets.