Violent crimes down, but Naperville sees increase in identity thefts, domestic calls A spike in identity thefts fueled a 71.5% rise in serious crime in Naperville in 2020, according to a report released Monday by the Naperville Police Department. Daily Herald file photo
Updated 2/1/2021 7:31 PM
Naperville saw an overall reduction in violent crimes last year, officials say, but the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to blame for a jump in reports of identity theft and calls related to domestic violence.
The Naperville Police Department on Monday released its 2020 crime figures, which Chief Robert Marshall said are used to develop future goals, address trends and enhance public education efforts. Law enforcement officers and community members faced a slew of unprecedented challenges last year, as evidenced by sections of the report, he said.
Naperville park board approves resolution urging Pritzker to veto police reform bill
Updated 1/29/2021 2:23 PM
The Naperville Park District board of commissioners is urging Gov. J.B. Pritzker to veto a major criminal justice reform bill, saying the legislation as it stands would directly affect park police and their ability to keep the community safe.
The board on Thursday unanimously approved a resolution denouncing the General Assembly s passage of House Bill 3653 in the final hours of a lame-duck session earlier this month. In the measure, park officials contend the legislative process was fatally flawed and lacked adequate input from law enforcement and municipal organizations statewide.
Updated 1/27/2021 6:17 PM
The construction of a self-storage facility is the focus of a developer s plan to revitalize a Naperville shopping center, sparking concerns among nearby residents that the use is incompatible with surrounding properties.
The Shorewood Development Group is under contract to purchase the Market Meadows Shopping Center at Naper Boulevard and 75th Street, where vacancy rates have grown and infrastructure has been deteriorating for years, attorney Vince Rosanova said.
Plans to redevelop the retail hub, anchored by Jewel-Osco, include constructing a new multi-tenant outlot building, completing architectural and engineering upgrades, reconfiguring the parking lot and improving pedestrian access. To support the nearly $50 million project, he said, developers have proposed transforming an antiquated courtyard with challenging retail space into a self-storage business, operated by Northfield-based The Lock Up.
Naperville District 203 to rebate taxpayers $10 million in surplus funds Naperville Unit District 203 is giving some property tax money back as a result of a budget surplus resulting from the pandemic. daily herald file photo, 2014
Updated 1/22/2021 6:21 PM
Faced with an unexpected surplus after schools shut down last spring, Naperville Unit District 203 plans to repay taxpayers a total of $10 million to help ease the financial burden of the COVID-19 crisis.
The statewide stay-at-home order halted in-person operations from March through the end of the 2019-20 academic year, saving the district money in areas of utilities, transportation, food service and staffing, Chief Financial Officer Michael Frances said.
Naperville council won t call on Pritzker to veto criminal justice reform bill The Naperville City Council narrowly shot down a proposed resolution that would have urged Gov. J.B. Pritzker to veto a sweeping criminal justice reform bill. Daily Herald file photo
Updated 1/20/2021 9:26 PM
A resolution that would have urged Gov. J.B. Pritzker to veto a sweeping criminal justice reform bill was narrowly shot down by the Naperville City Council, despite entreaties from local law enforcement leaders.
Council members Paul Hinterlong, Patty Gustin and Kevin Coyne brought forward the proposal Tuesday denouncing the General Assembly s passage of House Bill 3653 in the final hours of a lame-duck session last week.