http://www.kcchronicle.comRSS from www.kcchronicle.comen-usIn the next month, thousands of area high school seniors will receive that coveted document that essentially says their childhood is over.http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/05/15/our-view-congratulations-to-class-of-2013/aelzcqq/http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/05/15/our-view-congratulations-to-class-of-2013/aelzcqq/Sat, 18 May 2013 10:30:00 GMTKane County Board Chairman Chris Lauzen won the election in November, preaching that every penny counts, differing with his Democratic opponent on fundamental issues, such as his desire to freeze the property tax levy and his opposition to hiring a county administrator.http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/05/10/our-view-new-county-position-could-be-a-tough-sell/a6wqkc7/http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/05/10/our-view-new-county-position-could-be-a-tough-sell/a6wqkc7/Sat, 11 May 2013 10:30:00 GMTState Sen. Jim Oberweis’ proposal to raise the speed limit by 5 mph in Illinois could put the state in the fast lane for a change. Oberweis’ legislation would allow drivers on certain tollways and interstate highways to legally go 70 mph, something they already can do in many other states.http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/05/03/our-view-putting-illinois-in-the-fast-lane/a49zvt0/http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/05/03/our-view-putting-illinois-in-the-fast-lane/a49zvt0/Sat, 04 May 2013 10:30:00 GMTTeenage boys and girls join high school athletic programs for many reasons, including to enhance skills in a particular sport, to experience the camaraderie of being on a team and to enjoy the thrill of winning.http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/04/24/our-view-some-members-of-water-polo-team-need-reminder-about-respect/aheln2g/http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/04/24/our-view-some-members-of-water-polo-team-need-reminder-about-respect/aheln2g/Sat, 27 Apr 2013 10:30:00 GMTThe outcry against a proposed arch, to be built in downtown Batavia, has been significant.http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/04/19/our-view-too-late-to-turn-back-on-batavia-arch-vote/aosg6oi/http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/04/19/our-view-too-late-to-turn-back-on-batavia-arch-vote/aosg6oi/Sat, 20 Apr 2013 10:30:00 GMTThumbs up to the beginning of a new era of Kane County Cougars baseball, with the team being a Cubs affiliate. The Cougars have long been a jewel of the area’s entertainment scene, a popular option for both baseball-lovers and more casual fans looking to enjoy a summer day in a family-friendly setting. The vibe around Fifth Third Bank Ballpark in Geneva is even more exciting this season – especially for the area’s many Cubs fans – as evidenced by the plethora of red and blue gear fans wore during the team’s recently completed opening homestand. This is just the beginning of what promises to be a great partnership. Darwin Barney, the Cubs’ starting second baseman, likely would have been Kane County-bound for a rehabilitation stint this weekehttp://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/04/12/our-view-thumbs-up/ar8v8bx/http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/04/12/our-view-thumbs-up/ar8v8bx/Sat, 13 Apr 2013 10:30:00 GMTThumbs down to the conduct of the ownership at The House Pub in St. Charles. The downtown bar was recently issued a three-day liquor license suspension for poor treatment of police officers who entered the bar March 15 to discuss the behavior of a visibly intoxicated man. Bar ownership reportedly argued with police, using obscenities, and ordered police to leave. In discussing the punishment, St. Charles Mayor Don DeWitte said such behavior “will not be tolerated.” Nor should it be. Regardless of the details that led police into The House Pub, police officers have a difficult job to do and deserve to be treated with respect. Such a public dust-up is especially regrettable considering the ongoing concerns the city has with rowdy, late-night http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/04/12/our-view-thumbs-down/asht0fh/http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/04/12/our-view-thumbs-down/asht0fh/Sat, 13 Apr 2013 10:30:00 GMTOn the surface, the proposal to create the Illinois Virtual Charter School at Fox River Valley appears as shiny as an apple on a teacher’s desk.http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/04/03/our-view-very-little-confidence-in-online-charter-school/ab5930l/http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/04/03/our-view-very-little-confidence-in-online-charter-school/ab5930l/Sat, 06 Apr 2013 10:30:00 GMTRecently, the social media website Twitter celebrated its seventh birthday. Twitter has around 500 million total users. While this might not be as impressive as social media giant Facebook’s billion users, Twitter still packs a punch. I would estimate that over half of the kids at my school have a Twitter account, even those who vehemently said, for years, “I will never, ever get a Twitter.”http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/04/02/phelan-twitter-an-easy-way-to-monitor-whats-happening/a4ggdlt/http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/04/02/phelan-twitter-an-easy-way-to-monitor-whats-happening/a4ggdlt/Thu, 04 Apr 2013 10:30:00 GMTVisiting a space where nature is king can bring such joy to the heart.http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/03/28/our-view-oh-the-glory-of-open-space/a54ljz0/http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/03/28/our-view-oh-the-glory-of-open-space/a54ljz0/Sat, 30 Mar 2013 10:30:00 GMTLess than three months ago, the Sugar Grove Village Board voted to legalize video gambling within the village, overturning a previous decision.http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/03/22/our-view-gaming-not-safe-bet/ayzzdfa/http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/03/22/our-view-gaming-not-safe-bet/ayzzdfa/Sat, 23 Mar 2013 10:30:00 GMTOn April 9, voters in Blackberry Township will be asked whether to approve raising the limiting tax rate for the township road district.http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/03/22/our-view-time-not-ideal-for-road-referendum/aq63ujs/http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/03/22/our-view-time-not-ideal-for-road-referendum/aq63ujs/Sat, 23 Mar 2013 10:30:00 GMTGeneva Mayor Kevin Burns fell short in his bid for Kane County Board chairman last year, absorbing a decisive defeat in the Republican primary race against Chris Lauzen. The good news for Geneva residents – Burns remains motivated to serve as the city’s mayor. We endorse Burns in his April 9 quest for a fourth term as Geneva mayor against challenger Bob McQuillan. Burns boasts a long line of achievements during his tenure. About 700,000 square feet of new commercial business has been added; the city’s industrial corridor has been enhanced; and staffing concessions have been made because of the economic downturn. Despite a few high-profile losses, Geneva’s downtown remains the envy of most communities in the west suburbs. Burns is ambitious;http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/03/21/endorsement-geneva-mayor-burns/ay0u9hw/http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/03/21/endorsement-geneva-mayor-burns/ay0u9hw/Fri, 22 Mar 2013 10:30:00 GMTFour candidates – each with a meritable skill set – are competing to be the next mayor of St. Charles. Jake Wyatt, a retired U.S. Army colonel and former executive with Sears who also has started his own small businesses, wants to preserve and enhance the community, in part, by taking a collaborative approach to development. Jotham Stein, a business lawyer and author, lists bringing businesses to St. Charles as a top priority and, if elected, would propose an ordinance that states, “The mayor shall do no business with anybody who does business with the city.” John Rabchuk, who provides management consulting for construction material producers and has started and owned two national software companies related to the construction industry, hashttp://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/03/21/endorsement-st-charles-mayor-rogina/al6xaiu/http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/03/21/endorsement-st-charles-mayor-rogina/al6xaiu/Fri, 22 Mar 2013 10:30:00 GMTIt has been less than a year since Rick Peck took over as Kaneville’s interim village president. He was chosen by his peers and deserves an opportunity to serve a full term. “It’s been a great experience so far, and I want to continue forward,” he said during an endorsement interview with the Kane County Chronicle Editorial Board. Peck was selected to be interim village president after the death of Bob Rodney in July. Prior to becoming interim village president, he served as a Kaneville trustee. Both Kaneville village president candidates – Peck and Trustee Pat Hill – are leaders and have demonstrated a desire to do what’s best for Kaneville. Both recognize the need for new sidewalks in town, and both say they will strive to maintain the vihttp://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/03/20/endorsement-kaneville-village-president-peck/avrgfwe/http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/03/20/endorsement-kaneville-village-president-peck/avrgfwe/Thu, 21 Mar 2013 10:30:00 GMTSean Michels has skillfully guided the village of Sugar Grove through what often has been a challenging economic time during his three terms as village president. He has demonstrated an ability to attract businesses – such as the Rush-Copley Convenient Care facility and Jimmy John’s – to the town, and he has more goals, including completing the interchange at Route 47 and Interstate 88. He understands and would prioritize Sugar Grove signing on to an impact fee agreement with Kaneland School District 302, something other Kaneland communities already have done. His opponent in the race for Sugar Grove village president, Kevin Geary, certainly has played a key role in the village’s success. Geary has been a trustee for about 13 years and has http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/03/20/endorsement-sugar-grove-village-president-michels/ay1cbz3/http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/03/20/endorsement-sugar-grove-village-president-michels/ay1cbz3/Thu, 21 Mar 2013 10:30:00 GMTKane County has one of the highest local tax burdens in the nation.http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/03/14/our-view-needing-to-think-longterm-for-taxpayers/a25epgt/http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/03/14/our-view-needing-to-think-longterm-for-taxpayers/a25epgt/Sat, 16 Mar 2013 10:30:00 GMTDetailing out-of-control spending from former Geneva Superintendent of Streets and Fleet Stephen LeMaire on the city’s dime. Scrutinizing the county’s hiring history after regime changes. Or, as demonstrated in today’s paper, analyzing how effective Geneva’s red-light cameras have been at deterring accidents.http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/03/07/our-view-sunshine-week-reminds-all-about-open-government/aqpsnbp/http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/03/07/our-view-sunshine-week-reminds-all-about-open-government/aqpsnbp/Sat, 09 Mar 2013 11:30:00 GMTAmong athletic achievements for youth athletes, those of wrestlers are among the greatest. Wrestlers must work hard on technique and strength, and to maintain their weight to fit into their team’s lineup. They are tasked to emerge victorious in a one-on-one battle with another wrestler who has been working on the same goal.http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/03/01/our-view-thumbs-up/a6x0j3a/http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/03/01/our-view-thumbs-up/a6x0j3a/Sat, 02 Mar 2013 11:30:00 GMTAfter a relatively short period of mild sacrifice, there are indications those in the education field believe the rest of us are ready to tolerate a return to business as usual.http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/03/01/our-view-thumbs-down/a1nljbz/http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/03/01/our-view-thumbs-down/a1nljbz/Sat, 02 Mar 2013 11:30:00 GMT