News
Call for Artists: “The City of Good Energy” Mural to Welcome Visitors to Downtown Batavia
BATAVIA, IL – The Batavia Public Art Initiative (BPAI), a subcommittee of Water Street Studios, is seeking qualified artists to submit their portfolios for a vibrant new mural project titled “The City of Good Energy.” This mural will serve as a creative and colorful gateway into Batavia’s thriving downtown and celebrate the community’s spirit of inclusion, energy, and civic pride.This call for Request for Qualifications (RFQ) invites artists to submit samples of their work that best showcase their artistic
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Wednesday Evening Batavia Farmers’ Market Returns to Downtown Batavia
BATAVIA,IL- Batavia MainStreet is thrilled to announce the return of the Wednesday Evening Batavia Farmers’ Market, beginning June 4, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on North River Street between Wilson and State Streets. Now in its second season, this smaller, more intimate market offers a relaxed shopping experience featuring approximately 20 vendors each week—many of them returning favorites, along with exciting new additions.Shoppers can look forward to homemade baked goods from Gather Bakery, The Cookie
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Area High School Students Awarded Scholarships
Batavia, Ill.: The resident association of Covenant Living at the Holmstad recently awarded scholarships to eight graduating seniors during a recent celebration dinner. All the recipients are employed at the senior living community in Batavia. The major source of scholarship funds comes is proceeds from the sale of merchandise at the community’s annual Bazaar held each fall. Recipients of the scholarships submitted applications detailing their work experience, school and community involvement, and future
New Events Added to Flag Day Celebration
BATAVIA, Il (May 20, 2025) – The community is invited to attend the annual Batavia Flag Day Celebration on Saturday, June 14. This year’s event commemorates 250 years since Paul Revere’s ride, the Battles of Lexington and Concord, and the founding of the United States Army. The celebration includes three events scheduled throughout the day:New! Presentation on Father of Flag Day, 1 to 2 p.m. City Council Chambers, Batavia City Hall, 100 N. Island Ave. Illinois author Tom Emery will present his research on
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ROAD CLOSURES ANNOUNCED FOR McKEE STREET AND VAN NORTWICK AVENUE DUE TO INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
BATAVIA, IL – The City of Batavia is notifying residents and motorists of upcoming road closures related to a critical infrastructure improvement project tied to the Pulte Ashton Ridge Development. Beginning May 27, full road reconstruction and watermain replacement will take place on portions of McKee Street and Van Nortwick Avenue, requiring both streets to be closed to through traffic for the duration of the work. The project is expected to conclude in early August. This City-directed project involves
Batavia Hardwoods Celebrates Anniversary with a Spring Open House
Batavia Hardwoods is celebrating their one-year anniversary with a spring open house. Please join the owners, Doug, Steve, John and Kersten on Saturday, May 31, 2025 between the hours of 8AM and 3PM at their store located at 330 McKee St. in Batavia, IL. 60510. The days festivities are family friendly and, weather permitting, will include demonstrations by the Batavia Woodcarvers Club and the Windy City and Chicago Woodturners Clubs. Food and beverages will be served during lunchtime until the food runs
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Celebrate 100 Years of Nature: Join the Forest Preserve District of Kane County's Centennial Celebration
GENEVA, IL — Everyone’s invited to a special Centennial Celebration marking 100 years of conservation, recreation, and environmental education with the Forest Preserve District of Kane County. Join community leaders, staff, volunteers and neighbors on Sunday, June 8, at noon at Johnson’s Mound Forest
Batavia Public School District 101’s Music Education Program Receives National Recognition for the Eleventh Time
Batavia, IL—Batavia Public School District 101 (BPS101) has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. BPS101 has received this award eleven times in the last twelve years, and it is one of only 29 districts in Illinois to receive the designation this year. Now in its 26th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in
Working – and Still Falling Short: 3 in 8 Workers in Illinois’ Most Common Jobs Struggle to Get By
New research zeroes in on households living paycheck to paycheck, yet often with income that’s too high for assistance BATAVIA, ILLINOIS – In 2023, 37% of workers in Illinois’ 20 most common jobs lived in households that couldn’t afford basics, according to new data from Batavia United Way, Fox Valley United Way, and their research partner United For ALICE. These workers – the backbone of every community – include personal care aides, cashiers, cooks, waiters/waitresses, and fast food/counter
Four 2025 Batavia High School Seniors Awarded Inspire Scholarships from the Batavia Chamber of Commerce
The Batavia Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the winners of their Inspire Scholarships for 2025. The scholarship categories are motivated by the makeup of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce membership. All winners are members of the 2025 graduating class of Batavia Public School District 101. The $1,000 financial award will be paid directly to the institute the recipient will be attending. According to Margaret Perreault, president and CEO of Batavia Chamber of Commerce, the program received the
Batavia Chamber awards 'Citizen of the Year,' also honors Peace Bridge and Batavia MainStreet
Bob Hubbard commended for work with CASA Kane County and Batavia Rotary Club Article by Joey Weslo, Shaw Media Bob Hubbard was named Citizen of the Year award given during the Batavia Chamber of Commerce's Inspire Celebration Awards Ceremony on Thursday, April 24, 2025 at Revelry 675 in Batavia. (Photo by Sandy Bressner)With gratitude measured by the number of lives touched, Batavia gave a standing ovation to Bob Hubbard for all the lives he’s helped lift up. While being honored as Batavia’s 2024
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The Batavia Farmers' Market Celebrates 30 Years Downtown
BATAVIA, IL- The Saturday Morning Batavia Farmers’ Market returns May 17, 2025, for its milestone 30th outdoor season, running every Saturday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM through October 25 on North River Street. With nearly 60 vendors each week, the Saturday Market offers an expansive selection of locally grown produce, farm-raised meats and eggs, fresh baked goods, honey, and more. Vendors are required to grow, harvest, or produce at least 75% of the products they sell.Returning favorites include Flat Tire
VFW Post 1197 to Host Veterans Benefits Fair and Memorial Day Ceremony
Batavia, IL – The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1197 is proud to announce two significant upcoming events aimed at honoring our veterans and providing essential resources. Veterans Benefits FairWhen: May 2, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Where: VFW Post 1197, 645 S. River St., Batavia, IL 60510 Join us for the Veterans Benefits Fair on May 2nd, where veterans and their families can access vital information and resources. With over 50 vendors, including representatives from the Veterans Administration,
Dressing the Digital Window: How Local Boutiques Can Win with Stunning Visuals Online
In the battle for attention online, local boutiques often feel like they're shouting into a canyon while big-box retailers and algorithm-trained influencers echo louder with every scroll. Yet the digital space doesn’t only reward the loudest—it rewards the best visuals. For small, independent boutiques, elevating their aesthetic presence online isn’t just about keeping up appearances; it’s about building identity, trust, and emotional resonance with the customer who’s looking for something that feels
Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners Announce New Scholarship
The Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners have established a scholarship for a graduating high school student who plans to pursue a career requiring an Associate or Bachelor's degree in Horticultural Science fields such as Agriculture, Botany, Conservation, Ecology, Environmental Science, Forestry, and Land Management. The scholarship amount is $2,000 and applicants must currently reside within the boundaries of Batavia Public School District 101. The application must be completed and submitted to Batavia Plain
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The Batavia Boardwalk Shops are Back for the 2025 Season!
BATAVIA, IL – The highly anticipated 2025 season of the Batavia Boardwalk Shops kicks off on Friday, May 9, marking the sixth season of this beloved program. This unique shopping experience brings together 10 diverse retail shops in one location, offering everything from globally inspired goods to handcrafted home décor.Nestled in the heart of downtown Batavia, these charming micro-shops are a hub of creativity, culture, and community. Visitors can explore a unique mix of vendors offering high-quality,
BFEE Announces Hall of Honor Inductees for 2025
March 24, 2025 (Batavia, IL) - On Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, the Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence (BFEE), in partnership with Batavia Public Schools (BPS101), will welcome eight inductees into its Hall of Honor at Batavia High School. Inductees were chosen from a list of individuals that were nominated in three categories; BHS Graduate, BPS101 Employee, and Friend of BPS101. These recognitions are to honor and commemorate the individuals who have excelled and provided our students with examples
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“Time Flies” Exhibit and Watershed Programs Celebrate Fly-Fishing Heritage at Creek Bend Nature Center
GENEVA, IL — In celebration of the Forest Preserve District of Kane County’s 100th anniversary, Creek Bend Nature Center will open a special exhibit highlighting the heritage of the sport and art of fly-fishing. The “Time Flies: A Centennial Celebration” exhibit will be on display from April 8 to June 8, 2025, and will showcase the evolution of fly-fishing during the formative years of the Forest Preserve District. Explore this customized collection of historical fly fishing rods, reels, flies, artwork and
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Sponsor a tree to help launch the Forest Preserve District’s next century
Forest Preserve District Extends the Centennial Grove Sponsorship Deadline GENEVA, IL — The Forest Preserve District of Kane County is excited to celebrate its first 100 years of public land conservation and invites you to help us celebrate as we embark on our next century of conservation in Kane County. On June 8, the Forest Preserve District will celebrate this monumental milestone with the unveiling of the Centennial Grove Project at Johnson’s Mound Forest Preserve in Elburn. Johnson’s Mound was
Batavia Chamber of Commerce Kicks Off Chamber Eats
The ongoing program will feature a different Batavia Chamber restaurant member each month. Batavia, IL – The Batavia Chamber of Commerce is pleased to launch Chamber Eats, a new program designed to highlight our local restaurant members and encourage the community to support them. Each month, the Batavia Chamber will feature a different Chamber-member restaurant. Diners can enter a drawing for $25 in Chamber Bucks and a $25 restaurant gift card by dropping a business card or contact information card
From Train Station to History Preservation, Batavia Depot Museum Celebrates 50 Years in the Community
BATAVIA, IL – In 1855, a depot on Batavia’s east side began welcoming rail travelers. In 1975, it began a new life as the community’s history museum. In 2025, it is Batavia’s history hub and a fixture on the Riverwalk.Batavia Depot Museum’s spring exhibit, “The Museum a Community Built,” celebrates its 50th anniversary, telling the story of the community uniting to create and raise funds for a museum, acquire and move the old east-side depot and restore it to house Batavia’s history museum as a Batavia Park
FinCEN Requires Batavia, IL Businesses to File BOI Reports by 01/01/2025: Avoid $500 Daily Penalties
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) requires businesses in Batavia, IL, to file Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reports with FinCEN by January 1, 2025, to improve transparency and deter financial misconduct. As of today, 11-26-2024, Batavia business owners have 36 calendar days (or 27 business days) left to submit their BOI reports to FinCEN—act promptly to avoid fines of $500 per day. Action Steps for Compliance1. Confirm If Your Business Must File Deadline: ASAP"Reporting companies"
Real Estate Success Begins with Smarter Client Engagement
Success in real estate hinges on skillfully managing both operations and client relationships. Complex documentation and shifting client expectations are constant demands in this field. Yet, these challenges can open doors for growth and efficiency when approached strategically. With a focus on optimizing operations, there’s potential to streamline processes and deepen client trust. Embracing effective strategies helps create lasting connections that drive ongoing success.Revolutionizing Real Estate
Empower Your LLC with the Right Business Banking Choices
Starting an LLC is a defining step that carries a lot of energy and promise. A crucial decision early on is opening a business bank account tailored to your needs. This decision extends beyond separating personal and business funds—it can unlock several opportunities that drive your LLC forward. Access to modern banking tools and services plays a vital role in navigating the complexities of managing business finances. Thoughtful banking choices provide the foundation for long-term growth and financial
Boss Moves: How Adobe Acrobat Helps Women Entrepreneurs Get It Done
Being an entrepreneur is all about juggling, innovating, and growing—but what if you had a secret weapon to make it easier? Enter Adobe Acrobat, a powerful ally that streamlines your day-to-day, helping you work smarter while leaving more room for what truly drives your business forward. This Women’s Small Business Month, we’re celebrating the ways Adobe Acrobat is empowering women entrepreneurs to elevate their hustle, simplify workflows, and realize bigger dreams. Acrobat AI Assistant: Check out
Create a Future-Ready Business by Switching to a Paperless Workflow
Imagine a world where your desk isn’t cluttered with towering stacks of paper, where finding a document takes seconds instead of hours, and where your business operations flow smoothly without manual errors and inefficiencies. Transitioning your business to a paperless workflow can make this a reality. This digital transformation not only enhances operational efficiency but also aligns with sustainable practices, reducing your carbon footprint. By leveraging modern technology, you can secure your data and
