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- 🏆 St. Charles $12M Improvements Recognized & More!
🏆 St. Charles $12M Improvements Recognized & More!
Stay updated on Chicagoland's local trends, developments, and market insights.
Brandon Blankenship
February 06, 2026
Happy Friday!
St. Charles just got a double win. The city’s new $6.4M First Street Plaza and the Kautz Road reconstruction both picked up Public Works Project of the Year honors. From riverfront concerts to smoother freight routes, these upgrades are turning smart infrastructure into real-life perks for locals. 🏆
🌨️ Today’s weather:
Light snow with a high of 37°F. A 25% chance of precipitation, 80% humidity, and winds at 15 mph. Not quite spring, but not deep winter either—just dress for the in-between.
📺 NEWEST Developments Coming to Chicago’s O’Hare Airport: In today’s video, I break down the biggest changes on the way at O’Hare—from new terminals to updated amenities—and what travelers can expect in 2026 and beyond.
🍴 Check out The Foodie’s Guide for this week’s best eats, and scroll down for WHAT'S HAPPENIN' IN THE 'BURBS? — your weekend events roundup.
Let’s dive in!
—Brandon Blankenship, Founder of Living Chicago Suburbs / Realtor with Keller Williams Premiere Properties
Events
💭 WHAT'S HAPPENIN' IN THE 'BURBS?
This Weekend Events…
Naperville Restaurant Week
Explore special menus, prix-fixe deals, and unique offerings from restaurants across Naperville during this citywide dining celebration.
📍 Location: Naperville
🗓️ Date & Time: Feb 2 – 8 | Varies by restaurant
🎟️ Tickets: Free to attend (dining costs vary)
🔗 More Info
Cirque Kalabanté
Experience an electrifying Afro-Contemporary circus performance blending acrobatics, music, dance, and powerful storytelling.
📍 Location: Belushi Performance Hall, College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn
🗓️ Date & Time: Feb 7 | 7:30 PM
🎟️ Tickets: $45 - $60
🔗 More Info
Valentines Arts and Craft Show
Shop handmade gifts, art, and crafts from local vendors at this Valentine’s-themed market inside Fox Valley Mall.
📍 Location: Fox Valley Mall, Aurora
🗓️ Date & Time: Feb 7–8 | Sat 10 AM–9 PM, Sun 11 AM–6 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Free
🔗 More Info
Nothing in this section is sponsored, I will let you know when it's sponsored
Free Home Buying Seminar in March
Join us for The House Pour — Home Buying Seminar Edition at Brewpoint Coffee in Elmhurst!
Jesse Furrow and I are hosting a free home-buying seminar on March 7 at Brewpoint Coffee in Elmhurst. You’ll get practical tips, market updates, and answers to your questions. Coffee and bagels are on them. A great chance to learn, meet people, and feel confident about your next move.
Learn how to buy a home in Chicagoland in a relaxed, easy way.
News
🏆 St. Charles’ Kautz Road and Plaza Projects Honored
Driving the news: St. Charles just picked up two Public Works Project of the Year awards for two major infrastructure projects completed in 2025: one for community gathering, the other for regional transportation.
Details:
First Street Plaza earned honors for transforming downtown into a walkable, scenic destination with solar-topped trellises, decorative pathways, and open space for events and live music. The $6.4M project was backed by $1.5M in grants and private funds.
Kautz Road reconstruction, a $6.2M joint effort with Geneva, upgraded pavement, drainage, and freight access while connecting key regional trails.
Why it matters: These award-winning projects aren't just about aesthetics or roadwork, they improve day-to-day life. The plaza draws both locals and visitors downtown, while the road project boosts safety, freight movement, and trail access. Together, they make St. Charles more connected and more vibrant.
The big picture: This brings St. Charles’ total to eight awards from the American Public Works Association since 2011, a track record of consistent infrastructure improvements that blend form and function.
The bottom line: Whether it’s live music by the river or smoother drives through town, St. Charles is turning smart infrastructure into real community wins.
🎉JOIN THE FUN ON INSTAGRAM 🎉
Find us on Instagram @LivingChicagoSuburbs where 90,000+ people love the content! ⤵️
🍔 The Foodie's Guide
BREAKFAST
Amerikas (Oak Park)Amerikas celebrates the spirit of American cuisine as a true melting pot. Blending Latin roots with global flavors, the restaurant creates a unique, evolving menu that reflects the diverse cultures shaping food in America today. |
LUNCH
Rustico (Oak Park)Rustico, located in Oak Park’s Hemingway District, serves Spanish-Italian Mediterranean fusion in a rustic-chic setting. The menu features pizza, pasta, paella, seafood, and tapas, complemented by a full bar and a relaxed neighborhood vibe. |
DINNER
A Toda Madre (Glen Ellyn)A Toda Madre, from the team behind Bien Trucha, offers modern Mexican cuisine inspired by street food and local markets. With seasonal ingredients, creative cocktails, and an extensive agave spirits selection, it delivers a vibrant, hospitality-driven dining experience. |
Watch This
🎥 NEWEST Developments Coming to Chicago’s O’Hare Airport
📦 Moving to the Chicago Suburbs or thinking about buying or selling a home?
We’d love to help!
Just send us an email at [email protected] or fill out the form here!: https://livinginchicagosuburbs.com/contact/
Market
📊 Real Estate Insights
The real estate market in the Chicago suburbs (especially Naperville, Elmhurst, Wheaton, and Glen Ellyn) remains active and competitive. Whether you're planning to buy or sell, having the right local expert makes all the difference.
Thinking of selling? I’ll craft a strategic marketing plan and help you price your home to attract serious buyers and get the best return.
Ready to buy? With today’s interest rates and available inventory, now could be the perfect time to make your move. I’ll help you find the right home and navigate every step of the process with confidence.
🏠 Are you thinking of buying, selling, or investing in the Chicago Suburbs? We’d love to be your Real Estate Resource of Choice. Get started here!
 | Brandon Blankenship Real Estate Broker The #1 Solo Agent with Keller Williams Premiere Properties call or text @ 630.923.9535 |