Top DuPage County stories of 2016

Here's a quick look back at some of the stories that made headlines this year in DuPage County ...

January

<h3 class="leadin">Looking to consolidate:

Gov. Bruce Rauner and Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti come to Oak Brook to release a report with more than two dozen recommendations for ways to consolidate governments and make those that remain more efficient.

<h3 class="leadin">Wheaton College professor:

Wheaton College triggers a firestorm by moving to fire political science professor Larycia Hawkins after she says on Facebook that Christians and Muslims worship the same God. After much controversy and debate, the two sides announce in February they've reached a confidential agreement to part ways.

<h3 class="leadin">Lisle church honors Bland:

Leaders of the DuPage African Methodist Church in Lisle rename their Diversity Institute in honor of Sandra Bland, a 28-year-old Naperville woman who "grew up" in the church and died in 2015 in a Texas jail cell after being pulled over by a state trooper for a traffic stop.

<h3 class="leadin">Taste of Glen Ellyn stays put:

A proposal to move the Taste of Glen Ellyn to a Metra parking lot to keep it out of the way of planned construction downtown is rejected after neighbors and business owners complain. The celebration continues at a lot near the old Gische Shoes.

<h3 class="leadin">Kids flee bus, win competition:

One of two buses carrying members of the Wheaton Warrenville South High School Espirit Show Choir catches fire en route to a competition in Onalaska, Wisconsin. No one is hurt, but the blaze destroys the girls' costumes and makeup. Faculty advisers, parents and even strangers rally to provide the girls with costumes and the necessary accessories and the choirs go on to be named Grand Champions of the women's division.

February

<h3 class="leadin">Marijuana dispensary opens:

Naperville joins the list of towns to have a medical marijuana dispensary open within its borders. Even as the dispensary opens, however, owners of other such facilities say they're seeing fewer than expected customers, at least partially because the state has not yet approved the drug's use for managing chronic pain.

<h3 class="leadin">Consolidation to save money:

Naperville unveils a plan in which it would take over maintenance of 16 miles of roads in Naperville Township, saying the proposal would save taxpayers an average of $800,000 a year. Most township officials appear ready to go along with the proposal, but township Highway Commissioner Stan Wojtasiak says the city is overselling the benefits. The year ends with a push to instead consolidate the road districts in Naperville Township and Lisle Township into one unit of government with a possible referendum question on the spring 2017 ballot.

<h3 class="leadin">New COD trustee:

The December 2015 resignation of Kathy Hamilton as chairwoman of the College of DuPage board leaves the deeply divided six member panel deadlocked at 3-3 on most issues and three trustees, Dianne McGuire, Erin Birt and Joseph Wozniak launch a boycott to force the chairman of the Illinois Community College Commission, Laz Lopez, to select Hamilton's replacement. In mid-February - two days after the board misses its deadline for choosing its own trustee - Lopez picks David Olsen, a 27-year-old village council member from Downers Grove.

<h3 class="leadin">Naperville teen top volunteer:

A 17-year-old Naperville girl, Jungin Angie Lee, is named the state's top youth volunteer by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. A junior at Metea Valley High School, Angie and a friend, Kyra Scadden, co-founded a group to raise awareness and find a cure for a rare neuromuscular disease called spinal muscular atrophy that affects Angie.

<h3 class="leadin">New Elmhurst College prez:

Elmhurst College introduces Troy VanAken as the 14th president in the school's history that dates to 1871. VanAken takes the reins over the summer after arriving from Thiel College in Greenville, Pennsylvania, where he served in the same role.

March

<h3 class="leadin">Park district pleads for slots:

Bensenville Park District officials consider asking DuPage County to lift its nearly seven-year ban on video gambling to allow slot machines at the district's White Pines Golf Course. Park leaders say the machines, which would be installed in the clubhouse, could boost revenues at a time when many golf courses are struggling.

<h3 class="leadin">Not such a grand old flag:

A group of Naperville high school students launch a campaign to design a new city flag to "enrich the culture of Naperville." The city's current flag was designed 42 years ago. A new flag is unveiled late in the year, but the city says it's too expensive to change the current one.

<h3 class="leadin">Dist. 41 drops classrooms:

Glen Ellyn Elementary District 41 announces plans to return to assigning students to traditional grade levels, shifting course from creating "multi-age classrooms" that drew criticism from parents, teachers and several school board members. Superintendent Paul Gordon says test scores, a survey of parents and teachers, and discussions with teachers led to the decision.

<h3 class="leadin">Cruz, Kasich in DuPage:

The GOP presidential primary brings two candidates, Ted Cruz of Texas and John Kasich of Ohio, to DuPage County for separate rallies. Both perform well in the Illinois vote, but still fall behind front-runner Donald Trump.

<h3 class="leadin">Driver services facility saved:

The state's budget crunch almost leads to the closing of a popular express driver services facility in downtown Wheaton after administrators fail to pay the rent on the building at 128 W. Liberty Drive for six months. But just days before the facility is scheduled to close, the downtown Wheaton landlord agrees to allow it to keep operating, even as the state delays its payments.

<h3 class="leadin">Roselle Dist. 12 referendum:

In one of the biggest surprises of the spring primary election season, voters in Roselle Elementary District 12 approve a referendum proposal that will raise property taxes about $500 a year for the average home. The revenue will help pay for repairs in the district's two 1960s-era schools and help fix its finances after years of budget deficits. Even district officials admit they're surprised.

<h3 class="leadin">The winter that really wasn't:

After several years of bitterly cold and snowy winters, forecasters promised an El Nino winter of 2015-16 that would bring warmer temperatures and less snow and ice. They're right. Temperatures remain warmer than normal almost all winter and the seasonal snowfall hovers around 30 inches - safely below normal. That's good news for municipalities that save lots of cash normally used for snow and ice removal. Naperville alone saves roughly $700,000, officials say.

<h3 class="leadin">Ackerman litigation ends:

The Glen Ellyn Park District board approves a $250,000 settlement with contractors that resolves a lengthy legal battle over a leaky roof at the Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center. Five firms agree to split the payment.

<h3 class="leadin">Museum makeover:

Officials at the First Division Museum in Wheaton's Cantigny Park announce plans for a $7 million makeover that will update existing exhibits spanning the period from the division's beginnings in 1917 through the Vietnam War and create new ones highlighting its more recent history. The museum closes on Veterans Day for the work to begin and will reopen in summer 2017.

April

<h3 class="leadin">Aurora boy sets records:

A 10-year-old Aurora boy, Jaeddan Gamilla, finishes first in all 10 races at the National Age-Group Swimming Association Elite Showcase Classic in Clearwater, Florida, and becomes the top-ranked 10-and-younger swimmer in America. "I feel really happy and really proud of what I have achieved," he says.

<h3 class="leadin">2 win races after recount:

Two Republican precinct committeeman candidates are declared winners of the March 15 primary after a court-ordered recount finds errors in vote totals compiled by the DuPage Election Commission. Election judges failed to properly count write-in votes for the two - Joan Mruk and Jeff Posadzy - on paper ballots. The recount doesn't help three other committeeman write-in candidates, who still don't amass the 10 necessary votes.

<h3 class="leadin">Wrestler falls short of dream:

Addison Trail High School alumna Veronica Carlson falls short in her second effort to make the U.S. Olympic team in women's wrestling.

<h3 class="leadin">Candidate secures nomination:

Moon Khan of Lombard is vindicated in April when a court-ordered recount of write-in votes from the March 15 Democratic primary reveals he did indeed receive the 844 votes needed to secure his party's nomination to run for DuPage County recorder in the November general election. He winds up losing in the fall.

<h3 class="leadin">Mazzochi chosen chairwoman:

The College of DuPage Board elects Deanne Mazzochi as it chairwoman during its annual reorganizational meeting in April, but the divisions on the seven-member panel remain obvious with two trustees voting "present" and a third not showing up.

<h3 class="leadin">203 board member resigns:

Longtime Naperville Unit District 203 school board member Suzyn Price announces she'll step down in May, saying a clash of personalities on the board reveals a need for new blood. Price had questioned the leadership of board President Terry Fielden and the board's ability to function effectively.

<h3 class="leadin">New form of alcohol:

Naperville becomes one of the first towns in the suburbs to place bans on powdered alcohol and smoking alcohol, both new trends designed to increase the potency of liquor.

May

<h3 class="leadin">Rondeau gets COD job:

A monthslong search for a new president at College of DuPage ends with the selection of Ann Rondeau, a retired Navy vice admiral who describes herself as a nontraditional candidate. The final vote to hire Rondeau: four vote yes, two vote present and one votes to abstain.

<h3 class="leadin">Nature center closes:

Budget woes force Oakbrook Terrace Park District officials to close their Lake View Nature Center and cancel community events for the rest of the year. Executive Director Cathy Fallon says the district's revenue sources are "under pressure" and the district needs to take action "to be responsible with the revenue we receive."

<h3 class="leadin">Funding for cleanup:

The federal government comes through with $17.6 million for the ongoing environmental cleanup at the former Kerr-McGee factory site in West Chicago. Officials have spent decades and roughly $1.2 billion cleaning up West Chicago sites polluted with radioactive thorium waste from the former factory.

June

<h3 class="leadin">Aurora library makes cuts:

The Aurora Public Library announces it will lay off 11 employees, leave 10 vacant posts unfilled, close a satellite location and reduce hours at another branch - all part of a strategy to fill a $1.7 million budget hole.

<h3 class="leadin">$2 million donation:

Former DuPage County judge and county board member Ken Moy of Hinsdale announces he will donate $2 million to the DuPage County Convalescent Center and a few weeks later the county board votes to name the center in the Hinsdale resident's honor.

<h3 class="leadin">New leadership at Edward:

Naperville's Edward Hospital introduces Bill Kottmann of Naperville as its new president and CEO. Kottmann, 62, replaces Pam Davis, who late in the year announces her retirement scheduled for June 30, 2017, as CEO of Edward Elmhurst Health, which includes Edward Hospital and Elmhurst Hospital.

<h3 class="leadin">Oak Brook cheating scandal:

Two Oak Brook families file lawsuits against Butler Elementary District 53 in a months-old cheating scandal in which kids' parents are accused of buying answers to tests. The parents say their kids are being unfairly punished by being banned from future academic competitions in the district, but school officials say they need to protect the district's integrity.

<h3 class="leadin">Spike in heroin deaths:

A spike in drug-related deaths has DuPage County officials again warning about the dangers of heroin and, increasingly, fentanyl, a painkiller that can be 100 times more potent than morphine.

July

<h3 class="leadin">Walking to fight slavery:

A Nebraska history teacher, Barry Jurgensen, stops in Lombard as part of a 527-mile trek to raise awareness about modern-day slavery and human trafficking. Jurgensen says he visited the Peck Homestead because it was part of the Underground Railroad during the Civil War,

<h3 class="leadin">Setting a winning course:

The DuPage Drones, a wooden bat league team featuring some of the country's top college baseball players, plays its first season in DuPage County, with its home games at the Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex.

<h3 class="leadin">New trash system in Wheaton:

Wheaton crafts a contract with a new garbage collector that uses radio frequency identification technology to replace one-time-use stickers. The new system continues the city's pay-as-you-go approach by tracking how often garbage containers are tipped into trucks.

<h3 class="leadin">Store noise bugs residents:

Some homeowners living behind a new Mariano's grocery store in Naperville complain about noisy conditions at the store, focusing their complaints primarily on the use of a gas-powered refrigerated trailer behind the store that provides extra food storage. The residents saying living by the store is like "living next to a truck stop."

<h3 class="leadin">Now is Sandy's time:

Friends and family gather in Chicago's Federal Plaza to remember and honor Sandra Bland, a former Naperville woman who died a year earlier in a Texas jail cell after a routine traffic stop quickly escalated. Authorities say Bland hanged herself in her cell, but family members doubt that version and the case becomes deeply entwined with the Black Lives Matter movement. Roughly 200 people hold candles and balloons in memory of Sandra.

<h3 class="leadin">Saying goodbye to The Barn:

Naperville Park District tears down its 51-year-old Barn Recreation Center to make way for a new $7.8 million central maintenance facility.

<h3 class="leadin">No more golf course:

Officials at Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale announce plans to close their golf course and conference center as part of a $4 million renovation. They say the course is no longer sustainable.

<h3 class="leadin">Sandack resigns:

State Rep. Ron Sandack, a Downers Grove Republican, unexpectedly resigns citing "cyber security issues." A staunch ally of Gov. Bruce Rauner, Sandack stops short of explaining what those issues are. David Olsen, a member of the Downers Grove village council and vice chairman of the College of DuPage board of trustees, is tabbed as his replacement. Sandack later will say he was trying to avoid disclosure of "inappropriate online conversations" he had with a woman who asked to be his Facebook friend.

August

<h3 class="leadin">Home for Music Conservatory:

Wheaton College begins work to create a new home for its Conservatory of Music. The first phase of the project, which is expected to be complete in fall 2017, includes renovations to Armerding Hall. The second phase focuses on the construction of a new 550-seat concert hall that could open in fall 2019.

<h3 class="leadin">Aurora mayor steps down:

Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner announces he'll step down at the end of October, with months left on his third term as the head of the state's second-largest city. Weisner, who has been battling cancer for years, says he no longer believes he can fulfill all of his duties. Longtime Alderman Robert O'Connor is named acting mayor.

<h3 class="leadin">Fort Hill Activity Center opens:

Naperville Park District's Fort Hill Activity Center opens as the most-expensive project in the district's history. The 79,575-square-foot, $24 million facility features basketball courts, a track, treadmills, cycles, weight machines, playground equipment and a gymnastics foam pit.

<h3 class="leadin">New home for DuComm:

A 911 dispatch center that serves dozens of police and fire departments in DuPage County announces plans to move into the county's former youth home by 2018.

<h3 class="leadin">Forest district adds 24 acres:

Salt Creek Marsh near Itasca grows by more than 24 acres when a landowner donates the property to the DuPage County Forest Preserve District. Donna K. Bass of Lake Forest agrees to donate the 24 acres south of Thorndale Avenue between Wood Dale Road and Prospect Avenue as long as the district pays roughly $27,000 in costs related to the transaction.

<h3 class="leadin">New Glenbard science wing:

Glenbard West High School opens its new science wing in a 28,000-square-foot addition, the first to the original building since 1963. The addition and renovation of former science classrooms cost about $10.5 million. Mechanical, electrical and plumbing work for the addition totals another $4.5 million.

September

<h3 class="leadin">COD enrollment drops again:

Enrollment at the College of DuPage declines for the second straight year. The 6.2 percent drop to 26,901 full- and part-time students is blamed on multiple factors, including more competition from 4-year institutions and negative media attention.

<h3 class="leadin">19 ways to make COD better:

A 14-month probe by the state's top auditor reveals a significant lack of oversight by the former board of trustees and administration at the College of DuPage. The audit makes 19 recommendations for improving oversight at the school, including evaluation of the college president; handling of construction contracts; overall transparency; and members' understanding of their elected roles. The college agrees with all 19 recommendations.

<h3 class="leadin">Open Meetings in Lisle:

The Illinois Attorney General rules Lisle's village board violated the Illinois Open Meetings Act when it held a closed-door session in June to talk about plans to refinance debt from the construction of the Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex. The binding opinion directs the board to release the verbatim recording of the June 6 closed session where the bond sale was discussed. It also directs the board "to conduct its future meetings in full compliance with OMA."

<h3 class="leadin">Fischer Farm improvements:

Bensenville Park District officials outline a two-year plan for improvements at the historic Fischer Farm along Grand Avenue, including new gardens, lighting and handicapped-accessible ramps.

October

<h3 class="leadin">Carol Stream village hall:

Carol Stream's plans for a growing expansion of village hall could push the cost of the project and a temporary relocation of employees to roughly $19 million. The village board sends architects back to the drawing board to develop detailed designs of an addition for the combined village hall and police station along Gary Avenue. The building's footprint would jump from 40,400 square feet to 68,750 square feet.

<h3 class="leadin">Mexican man seeks refuge:

A Mexican man facing deportation seeks refuge with his wife and daughter in a newly opened West Chicago church. Roughly two dozen supporters rally around Lorenzo Solorzano-Morales of Elgin during a news conference at Faith Life Hope Mission and St. Peter the Apostle Mission at 900 E. Roosevelt Road.

November

<h3 class="leadin">COD administrator steps down:

The administrator who oversaw daily operations at the College of DuPage as acting interim president "during a period of turbulence and transition" announces his retirement. Joseph Collins, 58, the Glen Ellyn school's vice president of academic affairs, will step down Dec. 30.

<h3 class="leadin">Forest preserve boss quits:

Michael Hullihan, executive director of the DuPage Forest Preserve District, resigns after less than 15 months on the job. His last day with the district will be in February. Ed Stevenson, the district's director of business enterprises, is appointed to serve as acting executive director.

<h3 class="leadin">Blue Ribbon for Kennedy:

Kennedy Junior High is named a National Blue Ribbon School for the third time by the U.S. Department of Education.

<h3 class="leadin">Edward Hospital CEO:

Pam Davis, the longtime leader who helped transform Edward Hospital in Naperville from a small regional facility to a major medical center, announces plans to retire effective June 30, 2017.

<h3 class="leadin">Water Street District opens:

After almost 10 years and $93 million, a redevelopment effort massive even for Naperville and its vaunted downtown takes center stage when the Water Street District opens. It brings the downtown its first hotel in modern times, creating a hospitality destination with a wedding reception and banquet space. Overall, it offers five new restaurants, several shops, a new plaza with a fountain, a parking garage, public art and 500 more feet of Riverwalk path.

<h3 class="leadin">Hobson Oak comes down:

The 250-year-old Hobson Oak, a longtime landmark near Naperville and Woodridge, is cut down after officials become concerned the aging and sickly tree may fall on passing cars. The good news: Its wood will be turned into furniture and bowls.

<h3 class="leadin">Addison teachers contract:

Addison Elementary District 4 and its teachers union reach a contract agreement after a marathon bargaining session. The proposed three-year pact gives teachers salary increases of 5 percent in the first year and 4.5 percent in each of the next two years. It ends months of sometimes contentious negotiations.

<h3 class="leadin">Feel the Bern:

Bernie Sanders comes to Naperville's North Central College to talk about the presidential election and urge young people to get and stay involved. Roughly 4,000 fans turn out.

<h3 class="leadin">Plans for new Lombard library:

Lombard voters approve a tax rate increase for the Helen Plum Library that will fund construction of a new building. The library will borrow $22.3 million to replace its existing building at 110 W. Maple St. The loan will be repaid over a 20-year period.

<h3 class="leadin">County board race:

A hotly contested race for the DuPage County Board in District 2 takes several twists. On Election Night, it appears Republican challenger Richard Blass has unseated Democratic incumbent Liz Chaplin by roughly 300 votes. But two weeks later, when the county finishes counting provisional and mailed-in ballots, it turns out Chaplin kept her seat by 50 votes. Blass considers a recount but eventually concedes.

<h3 class="leadin">Village cooperation:

Carol Stream police announce they will move some of their operations to Glendale Heights village hall during the expansion of Carol Stream village hall. The 18-month lease will begin on March 1, 2017, for a token $10.

December

<h3 class="leadin">Oak Meadows improvements:

DuPage Forest Preserve officials say their new-look Oak Meadows Golf Preserve should be ready for play in summer 2017. The district spent nearly $16.8 million over 18 months to turn 27 holes into 18 with greater flood resistance and more stormwater storage capacity.

<h3 class="leadin">21 to buy tobacco:

Naperville votes to ban the sale of tobacco products to anyone younger than 21 beginning Jan. 1 with an eye toward protecting young people's health. The city also plans to ban the sale of e-cigarettes to those younger than 21 beginning in January 2018.

<h3 class="leadin">Bensenville mayor resigns:

Bensenville Mayor Frank Soto announces his resignation to take a state job as an arbitrator with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission. His last day comes roughly four months before the ene of his second term.

<h3 class="leadin">Naperville marathon on hold:

Naperville announces it will scrap its marathon after four years in favor of a half marathon and 5K. City officials say clogging roads for an extra 13 miles is too much of an inconvenience and organizers admit most entrants aren't running the full 26 miles anyway.

<h3 class="leadin">Tax increases in jeopardy:

A clerical error puts the results of four successful referendums in jeopardy after DuPage County officials say the questions were advertised three days too early in some local newspapers. Officials say they're certain the oversight can be corrected.

<h3 class="leadin">Oakbrook Terrace apartments:

A Northfield-based company breaks ground on a project that will bring 315 high-end apartments to a stalled mixed-use development near Oakbrook Terrace. Interforum Holdings will start construction of its Lakeside Village of Oak Brook luxury apartments as soon as the weather permits.

<h3 class="leadin">No more election commission:

DuPage County officials say they will ask state lawmakers to return election oversight power to the county clerk's office by merging it with the DuPage Election Commission. The proposal would combine the functions of both offices while maintaining bipartisan oversight of elections in DuPage.