[{"id":1782,"title":"Meet the New Asst. Director of Transportation in Kane County ","byline":"Kane County Connects Staff - KDOT Social Media Post ","urlSlug":"KaneCounty-KDOT-2026","imageUrl":"KCC/PublishingImages/667633927_1288610390116546_9031746464973807120_n.jpg","imageDescription":"Jennifer O'Connell ","content":"
The Kane County Division of Transportation (KDOT) has promoted Jennifer O’Connell to Assistant Director of Transportation – Project Implementation/Assistant County Engineer.
O’Connell joined KDOT in 2014 as a Project Manager and most recently served as Chief of Design. She has played a key role in delivering major infrastructure projects, including leading the design of the Bliss Road, Main Street, and Fabyan Parkway realignments.
She is currently overseeing the Kirk Road bridge reconstruction over the Union Pacific Railroad, as well as the Randall Road and Hopps Road intersection realignment and grade separation. In her new role, O’Connell will continue to help guide the county’s transportation projects and advance key infrastructure initiatives.
Learn more about the work at KDOT by clicking here.
","blurb":"The Kane County Division of Transportation (KDOT) has promoted Jennifer O’Connell to Assistant Director of Transportation – Project Implementation/Assistant County Engineer...","tinyBlurb":"The Kane County Division of Transportation (KDOT) has promoted Jennif...","guid":"85dd0f6d-4e81-495c-9da1-4b538faffe7d","slideshow":null,"publishDate":"2026-04-09T12:00:00-05:00","modified":"2026-04-09T11:07:44-05:00","created":"2026-04-09T11:06:36-05:00","categoryIds":[9,5]},{"id":1779,"title":"Historic WWII Scrapbook Helps Preserve Stories of Kane County's Fallen","byline":"Kane County Connects Staff ","urlSlug":"KaneCountyVeteransAssistanceCommission-KaneCounty-WWII-St.Charles","imageUrl":"KCC/PublishingImages/WWII%20scrapbook%203.jpg","imageDescription":"World War II-era scrapbook documenting local service members killed in action ","content":"
A World War II-era scrapbook documenting local service members killed in action is helping preserve and expand the historical record of Kane County's fallen.
The existence of the scrapbook was mentioned during a regularly scheduled meeting of Veterans organizations in Kane County, where it was offered to the Kane County Veterans Assistance Commission for review.
The collection, compiled by the auxiliary of American Legion Post 342 beginning in May 1941, contains newspaper clippings honoring individuals from St. Charles and surrounding communities who died during World War II. Members of Post 342 also took part in most, if not all, of the funerals for those whose remains were repatriated during and after the war.
KCVAC Superintendent Jake Zimmerman reviewed the scrapbook and compared its contents with county records, identifying missing details and helping fill gaps in official accounts. He also used the information to update federal records for service members still listed as missing in action.
The scrapbook reflects the global scope of the war, with local service members killed in locations including Hawaii, Belgium, France, the Philippines and the Solomon Islands. Among them was Leslie Delles, who died aboard the USS Oklahoma during the Attack on Pearl Harbor.
It also documents personal stories, including cousins Keith Jennings and George Hanmer, who were honored in a joint funeral, and twin brothers Clarence and Conrad Johnson, who enlisted together in 1941 and were both killed in North Africa in 1943. There is also a monument in France that marks the site where Jennings crashed his P-47 Thunderbolt, serving as a lasting tribute to his service.
Five of the individuals in the pages of the scrapbook remain missing in action. Their cases continue to be investigated by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, and additional photos and details from the scrapbook have been submitted to help complete their profiles. They are:
Chester E. Abrahamson, lost in the Java Sea on the USS Houston
John “Jack" L. Wagner, lost on the B-17 Flying Fortress “Sugar Foot"
Donald J. Driessen, lost over Italy on a P-47 Thunderbolt
Joseph “Roy" R. Lund, lost over Austria on the B-24 Liberator “Baff'ling Brat"
Warren “Pete" C. Burgess, lost at an unknown location over the Pacific Ocean on a TBM Avenger
“In the digital age, it's easy to overlook something like this as just an old scrapbook, but it really holds deeply personal stories that could otherwise be lost to time," said Zimmerman. “Having the chance to go through it not only helps improve the accuracy of our historical records, but also helps preserve the sacrifices of those who served for generations to come."
","blurb":"A World War II-era scrapbook documenting local service members killed in action is helping preserve and expand the historical record of Kane County's fallen...","tinyBlurb":"A World War II-era scrapbook documenting local service members killed...","guid":"15a4b097-76ef-46bf-8ef4-1b11277d8891","slideshow":null,"publishDate":"2026-04-08T08:00:00-05:00","modified":"2026-04-08T13:17:16-05:00","created":"2026-03-31T15:28:07-05:00","categoryIds":[2,14,15,25,9]},{"id":1780,"title":"Kane County Economic Development Corporation to Drive Regional Growth and Opportunity","byline":"Kane County Connects Staff - Kane County Economic Development Corporation ","urlSlug":"KaneCountyEconomicDevelopmentCorp-KaneCounty-2026","imageUrl":"KCC/PublishingImages/Kane%20County%20development%20discussion%20in%20action.png%20AI%20GENERATED%20image.png","imageDescription":"Kane County Economic Development Corporation is a business-led, public-private partnership dedicated to advancing coordinated economic growth across the region.","content":"
The Kane County Economic Development Corporation (Kane County EDC) is officially up and running. The organization is a business-led, public-private partnership dedicated to advancing coordinated economic growth across the region. Based in downtown Batavia, Kane County EDC is focused on helping existing businesses thrive, attracting new investment, improving site readiness, connecting employers to workforce resources and expanding opportunities across all 29 municipalities.
“The Economic Development Corporation represents a major step forward in how we position Kane County for long-term success," said Kane County Board Chairman Corinne Pierog. “By bringing together the private sector, municipalities and educational partners, we are creating a two-fold approach to economic growth which supports our existing businesses and attracts new investment."
Kane County EDC's focus will be on delivering value for site selectors, investors, municipalities, and regional partners. Its Site Readiness System will provide standardized, decision-ready site profiles, clear infrastructure and permitting pathways and a coordinated concierge experience. The EDC will also offer speed-to-market coordination, partnering with municipalities, utilities, workforce organizations and regional partners to reduce friction and streamline projects. Additionally, targeted growth will focus on advanced manufacturing, food and beverage production and packaging, transportation and logistics, life sciences, and business services, all aligned with workforce partnerships and talent pathways.
Kane County EDC is led by Chief Executive Officer, Michael Cassa, a seasoned economic development professional with 33 years of experience. Cassa has previously held senior level economic advancement roles in Downers Grove, Oswego, and Sugar Grove, and served as Chairman of the Illinois Economic Development Association.
“I am honored for the opportunity to lead the Kane County Economic Development Corporation," said Cassa. “My focus is to make decision makers aware of the advantages of locating or expanding their business in Kane County, and to create a county-wide team that will foster a streamlined site selection experience."
Residents, businesses, and partners can learn more about Kane County EDC, explore opportunities and stay connected through the EDC's website and social media channels:
","blurb":"The Kane County Economic Development Corporation (Kane County EDC) is officially up and running...","tinyBlurb":"The Kane County Economic Development Corporation (Kane County EDC) is...","guid":"1f1c38b3-5507-4733-8957-2e7cf4f94ec0","slideshow":null,"publishDate":"2026-04-01T13:00:00-05:00","modified":"2026-04-01T14:12:59-05:00","created":"2026-04-01T14:10:01-05:00","categoryIds":[2,16,15,21,9]},{"id":1778,"title":"Kane County Animal Control Invites Licensed Illinois Rescues to Join Online Network","byline":"Kane County Connects Staff ","urlSlug":"KaneCountyAnimalControl-RescueGroups-2026","imageUrl":"KCC/PublishingImages/602419793_1332332238939488_98044996438409932_n.jpg","imageDescription":"Kane County Animal Control Welcomes Licensed Illinois Rescues to Join Online Network","content":"
Kane County Animal Control is inviting licensed animal rescue organizations across Illinois to join its online Rescue Group to learn more about animals available for transfer and to strengthen collaboration in placing animals in need.
The Rescue Group page provides participating organizations with access to additional photos, videos, and detailed information about animals currently housed at the facility. The platform also offers an opportunity for rescues to better understand the transfer process and coordinate placements more efficiently.
To participate, organizations must hold a valid rescue license issued by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, agree to the group's rules and regulations, and complete an email verification process prior to acceptance.
","blurb":"Kane County Animal Control is inviting licensed animal rescue organizations across Illinois to join its online Rescue Group to learn more about animals available for transfer and to strengthen collaboration in placing animals in need...","tinyBlurb":"Kane County Animal Control is inviting licensed animal rescue organiza...","guid":"4b31129b-7ff7-4e0c-9f42-439e679b7388","slideshow":null,"publishDate":"2026-03-30T12:00:00-05:00","modified":"2026-03-30T13:16:24-05:00","created":"2026-03-30T11:24:10-05:00","categoryIds":[29,14,19,26,32,9]}]
![\"WWII](\"../img/medium/KCC/PublishingImages/Lists/Articles/AllItems/WWII%20scrapbook%205.jpg\")
![\"WWII](\"../img/medium/KCC/PublishingImages/Lists/Articles/AllItems/WWII%20scrapbook%204.jpg\")