Issues
Building on Strength
State of the Village highlights Oak Brook’s financial stability, business growth and long-term vision. For the second consecutive year, the Greater Oak Brook Chamber of Commerce sponsored the State of the Village presentation featuring Village President Larry Herman. Held in May, the annual forum brought a robust crowd of local business leaders to Butler Government…
Read MoreThe Rebirth of Butterfield Road
A long-term vision to reimagine one of Oak Brook’s most important commercial corridors For decades, Butterfield Road has been a key commercial corridor in the western suburbs. However, its south side between Meyers and Midwest roads is lined with aging, largely vacant office and quasi-industrial buildings that reflect declining demand for traditional suburban office space…
Read MoreBeyond the Front Desk
Inside Hyatt Lodge’s Guest Experience Photos courtesy of Hyatt Lodge Oak Brook Magazine caught up with Brent Hinton, Director of Sales & Marketing at Hyatt Lodge, to learn what sets the property apart and what it takes to deliver the guest experience behind the scenes. From its peaceful natural setting to the teamwork required to…
Read MoreRemembering 9/11
New York City native Adrienne Cirigliano reflects on witnessing history unfold and the lasting impact it left on her life By Sophia Schiappa | Photo by Jesse Mills As the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks approaches, schools teach students about the tragedy, parents share its history with their children, and survivors reflect on…
Read MoreThen & Now
The familiar places of Downers Grove, seen across generations By Julia Mazurek | Photos courtesy of Greg Elisha, the Downers Grove Historical Society, the Downers Grove Park District and Michelle Lytle It’s easy to forget that many Downers Grove streets have served as the backdrop for community life for well over a century. …
Read MoreReading Ready
Two former District 58 students turned teachers take literacy instruction to the next level By Valerie Hardy As students at Fairmount Elementary School, Beth Hatlen and Karla O’Brien learned to read together. Today, these childhood friends run a business that helps thousands of other students learn to read. Hatlen and O’Brien co-founded…
Read MoreHome Court Advantage
DGN alum Charlie Rohlf connects passions for sports, technology, and statistics into a career with the NBA By Julia Mazurek | Photos courtesy of District 99 Downers Grove native Charlie Rohlf leads one of the National Basketball Association’s most important teams. He’s not a coach, scout or general manager. Instead, as…
Read MoreFrom One Fire Truck to 8,000 Calls
Downers Grove Fire Department evolves to protect a growing community By Julia Mazurek | Photos courtesy of Downers Grove Fire Department Tucked inside the Downers Grove Museum sits a piece of local history: Engine 1, the fire department’s first motorized truck. The 1920 pumper engine manufactured by the White Motor Company is a symbol of…
Read MoreBuilt to Last
How Andrew Carnegie’s vision helped shape the Downers Grove Public Library By Maureen Callahan A local library is something every community needs. Although it’s importance and relevance can sometimes be overlooked, it’s meant to be a place for everyone. The idea of steel and railroad billionaire Andrew Carnegie was to make education – at both…
Read MoreA Legacy of Love
Annual family run honors, celebrates Sean Richards By Anna Hughes Sean Richards left a lasting impression on everyone he met. In his 14 years, he embraced each day with a joyful spirit, a fervent faith, and a genuine love for others. He was known to be selfless, generous, friendly, kind, cheerful, and loyal. The Love…
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