WaterLink is taking shape across the western suburbs. The nearly $400 million project is building a 30-mile pipeline that will bring Lake Michigan water to Montgomery, Oswego, and Yorkville, creating a new long-term water source for these growing communities. 💧

🌦️ Today’s weather:
Light rain with a high of 80°F. A 15% chance of precipitation, 68% humidity, and winds at 9 mph. Warm and a little humid, with a slight chance of rain throughout the day.

📺 The Chicago Suburbs Are Splitting In Two (Here's Why): In today’s video, I break down the growing differences across Chicago’s suburbs—and why where people are moving, building, and investing is starting to tell two very different stories.

🍴 Check out the Local Gem of the Week 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

Spend a late-summer day beneath the century-old oaks at picturesque Lake Ellyn, where more than 80 juried artists showcase original work across mediums from painting to pottery. Live music, food trucks, a craft beer tent benefiting the Lions Club, and a kids' art area make it a favorite family outing to close out the season.
📍 Location: Lake Ellyn Park, Glen Ellyn
🗓️ Date & Time: Aug 22–23 | Sat & Sun, 10 AM – 5 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Free admission
🔗 More Info

Downtown Evanston's closed streets transform into an open-air gallery with 150 juried artists showing paintings, sculpture, jewelry, photography, and more. Take a break at The Big Fork food area with craft beverages and food trucks, catch live music, or visit the Kids Art Zone for hands-on fun.
📍 Location: Downtown Evanston, Evanston
🗓️ Date & Time: Aug 22–23 | Sat, 11 AM – 6 PM & Sun, 10 AM – 5 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Free admission
🔗 More Info

One of Chicagoland's longest-running beer festivals returns as the Midwest's largest zero-waste craft beverage event, with 40+ breweries pouring hundreds of beers, ciders, seltzers, spirits, and NA options. Four stages of live music and DJs plus local food vendors keep the energy going all afternoon.
📍 Location: South Marion Street, Downtown Oak Park
🗓️ Date & Time: Aug 22 | Sat, 2 PM – 6 PM (VIP entry from 12 PM)
🎟️ Tickets: From $71.21
🔗 More Info

NOT ENOUGH? SEE MORE EVENTS FOR THE WHOLE MONTH!→

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Driving the news
Construction is moving forward on the nearly $400 million WaterLink project, a roughly 30-mile pipeline that will eventually bring Lake Michigan water to Montgomery, Oswego, and Yorkville.

Details

Why it matters
Montgomery, Oswego, and Yorkville are growing, but their current underground water source faces long-term pressure.

Connecting these communities to Lake Michigan water will provide a more dependable supply for residents, schools, and businesses while supporting future growth across the area.

The big picture
The communities currently rely on the Ironton-Galesville deep sandstone aquifer, which the Illinois State Water Survey says is being used at roughly twice its natural replenishment rate.

Water officials have warned that some wells could face challenges much sooner than previously expected.

What’s next
Construction will continue along the pipeline route over the next two years.

Once the system is complete, Montgomery, Oswego, and Yorkville will transition to Lake Michigan water while keeping existing wells available for emergency backup.

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