Palatine’s Little City breaks ground on children’s village

Leaders, board members, donors and friends of Little City in Palatine gathered Friday for the new Duffey Family Children’s Village groundbreaking ceremony.

A $1 million donation by John and Becky Duffey allowed the delayed project to move forward. Ultimately, six houses for 48 young people with autism will be built using an innovative design that includes sensory rooms, therapeutic playgrounds, soothing paint colors and textures that promote tactile stimulation.

The first 16 residents are expected to move in by early December, while construction on the four remaining buildings will depend on future funding.