Diversity Discussion:
Last night community members gathered at the Naperville Municipal Center to have a conversation about diversity and inclusion in Naperville. Six panelists shared some of their experiences with the full house. City councilman Benny White hosted the event – a forum he’d been thinking of having for some time, but spurred on by an online comment in January by State Representative Anne Stava-Murray, saying Naperville has a “history of white supremacist policies.” A presentation from Naper Settlement’s Donna Sack rounded out the event, taking a historical look at the struggles blacks faced when trying to settle here, up until the anti-discrimination housing ordinance in July of 1968. The meeting concluded with a chance for questions and concerns. White hopes to make these community conversations an ongoing event, and plans on having another next month.
Planning and Zoning:
A new low-density subdivision will be coming to town. Last night the Planning and Zoning Commission approved the annexation and rezoning of a 4.5-acre vacant property on the corner of Book Road and Hassert Boulevard. McNaughton Development, Inc. looks to bring a low-density single-family subdivision of ten age-restricted homes to the spot. Last May the commission saw the same petition for the subdivision but with eight homes instead of ten, and they weren’t age-restricted. Once the builders started planning construction, they decided to adjust the plans to address the empty nester/senior housing market. The unanimous approval from the plan commission now goes to city council.
Second Healthiest County:
DuPage County has been ranked the second healthiest county in Illinois. A report, put out by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, says DuPage ranks high in overall health factors like clinical care and good health behaviors. It also rates well in health outcomes, like length of life and how people feel while they are alive. DuPage was second in health only to Monroe County. Will County came in twelfth.
Benet Grad in Women’s NCAA Tournament:
As the NCAA basketball tournaments tip off over the next two days, keep an eye out for Benet Academy graduate Kathleen Doyle in the women’s tournament. Doyle was named Illinois’ Ms. Basketball in 2016 after leading the Redwings to back-to-back state championships. She is now a first team All Big Ten selection as the point guard for the University of Iowa. The Hawkeyes are a 2 seed in the tournament and will face Mercer in the first round tomorrow at 1pm on ESPN2.
