Chicago White Sox continues to surprise already seeing major improvement coming into the week the Sox are 17 and 21 a vast improvement over last season. So, what’s making the difference on the South Side is the reason for this transformation is the new players developed by the farm system and the young talent the Chris Getsky got in return for the over priced veterans that the Sox decided to part with when beginning the rebuild. Players like Colson Montgomery, Noah Schultz, and Tristian Peters. At the age of 25 or less they form a nucleolus that is helping to set the tone of the south side. The off season signing of Munetaka Murakam from Japan and you have a turnaround that is making fans of the South Side want to return to 35th and Sheilds. White Sox manager Will Venerable has also done a great job in focusing on putting players in the right position to succeed and not fail. Yes, the Sox have gone 3 straight seasons of 100 losses and the collapse of what was promising to be a World Series Contender in 2022. Four years later and after all the Drama the South Side sees new signs of life.

Brush Collection - Zone BBrush collectionZone A brush collection is wrapping up this week, which means Zone B, you’re up next!

Cubs Continue to just roll winning another 7 in a row and can continue to do this through having injuries. However, with depth in the pitching rotation and the Cubs defense the team has not missed a beat. Greg Counsel manager has been a wizard in how he juggles the lineup and the pitching staff to ensure that the Cubs will not have players tired and overused in the first month of the season. The Focus will continue to play through the injuries and with ace Justin Steele set to return later this month the Cubs need to focus on what they are doing successfully. Cubs need to continue to develop a strong offense and key to getting going is Pete Crow Armstrong who has started out slow but is poised to start hitting and getting on base. Armstrong has a uniqueness of being a stolen base threat and hitting the ball out of the park so let’s see if he can set the table and help the Cubs through finishing the Reds and then on to Texas to take on the Rangers. Cubs also need Dansby Swanson to come online when all the lineup is scoring runs the Cubs have one of the best offenses in the National Leage to go along with pitching and defense. Right now, the Cubs are five games ahead of the Reds and need to continue to build an early season lead. Cubs will continue to improve and gain 2 games this week and will continue to wait for Justin Steele to return. Go Cubs!

Old Town South Neighborhood ImprovementsA Public Information Meeting/Open House for the Old Town South project will be held on May 6, from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m., at the Village Hall. Please feel free to attend, see exhibits and details of the proposed improvements, and provide feedback. The project area includes the following streets: Hartong, Chicago, Ottawa, Miles, Park, Lakeside, Dillman, Corbin, Union Street, and Union Place. More information.

Brush CollectionFriendly reminder for Zone A that brush collection begins next week on May 4. With warmer weather here, it is the perfect time to clear out those fallen branches and leftover storm debris and get your yard back in shape.

Chicago Bears draft is in the books, and they failed to address the biggest concern heading into the draft which is the defensive line that was last in pass rush and 25th against the run. Below are the list players selected by the Bears in this year’s draft. Ryan Poles chose instead to add depth at positions that were addressed with free agency and trades in which draft capital was invested. The thinking of the common people was that the Bears would focus on the Defense and in particular the Defensive Line. Bears added a a safety, cornerback and a long shot defensive lineman. So how would you grade this draft for me it is a C. Bears added some fine players but failed to address the biggest concern and that is getting an edge Rusher to Montez Sweat and get some fresh legs to rotate on the defensive interior line that cannot stop the run. In Dennis Allens 3-4 scheme to work Pressure needs to be put on the Quarterback and rely on the linebackers and safety to come up and clean up the field. Last season Dennis Allen, instead of the Bears, relied on takeaways to stop drives and the offense to make last minute heroic plays to win ball games and arrive at 11 and 6 and one play away from being in the NFC Championship Game. This is not a good formula for being successful long term in the NFL and with the upcoming season the Bears have one of the toughest schedules.

Brush CollectionBrush collectionIs yard work on your list for spring cleanup?

City of Aurora Hosts First-Ever Citywide Clean-Up Day on Saturday, April 25!Citywide Clean Up EventThe City of Aurora is set to host the first-ever Citywide Clean-Up Day on Saturday, April 25 from 9 A.M. to 12 P.M. throughout all 10 of the City's Wards!Each Ward will have one specific clean up location, as hundreds of volunteers are expected to come together in beautifying the community. The day of service will kick off at 8:30 A.M. on the Water Street Mall, located in front of Aurora City Hall, as volunteers will be greeted with coffee and donuts, plus pick up materials to begin the clean-up effort. “This event is an exciting opportunity for residents and staff to come together, celebrate neighborhood pride, and make a lasting, meaningful impact across Aurora while helping build a cleaner, stronger, and more connected community,” Community Engagement Manager Iliana Rivera-Núñez said. Those interested in volunteering can sign up utilizing the City’s new volunteer portal at volunteers.aurora.il.us.

State of the Village AddressOn May 28, Mayor Argoudelis will share highlights from 2025 and a preview of 2026 during the State of the Village. This year's event, hosted by the Plainfield Junior Woman's Club, will be held at The Farmhouse. For more information on the event and to register, click here.

Cubs have won 6th straight games and are now in a series against the Phillies. The Cubs turnaround comes from the fact that they are playing solid defense, strong starting pitching, and timely hitting. Greg Counsel has the Cubs bought into the concept of team baseball and focuses on advancing the runners. The Cubs players are not worried about their stats but rather care about winning. This is something the Club learned last year as they made the post season and went on to lose to the Brewers in the post season. Coming into the season, the focus was on how to get to the next level and try and get to the World Series. Starting the season, the Cubs lost key players like Mathew Boyd and Cade Horton to season ending injuries.

City of Aurora Hosts First-Ever Citywide Clean-Up Day on Saturday, April 25!Citywide Clean Up EventThe City of Aurora is set to host the first-ever Citywide Clean-Up Day on Saturday, April 25 from 9 A.M. to 12 P.M. throughout all 10 of the City's Wards!Each Ward will have one specific clean up location, as hundreds of volunteers are expected to come together in beautifying the community. The day of service will kick off at 8:30 A.M. on the Water Street Mall, located in front of Aurora City Hall, as volunteers will be greeted with coffee and donuts, plus pick up materials to begin the clean-up effort. “This event is an exciting opportunity for residents and staff to come together, celebrate neighborhood pride, and make a lasting, meaningful impact across Aurora while helping build a cleaner, stronger, and more connected community,” Community Engagement Manager Iliana Rivera-Núñez said. Those interested in volunteering can sign up utilizing the City’s new volunteer portal at volunteers.aurora.il.us.