[{"id":1884,"title":"25th Anniversary - 9/11 Remembrance Events in Kane County ","byline":"Kane County Connects Staff ","urlSlug":"KaneCounty-911-2026","imageUrl":"KCC/PublishingImages/780422309_963013553486684_9083444780453408180_n.jpg","imageDescription":"St. Charles Fire Department 9/11 event from 2025","content":"September 11, 2026, marks the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which claimed nearly 3,000 lives in New York City, Virginia and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Several Kane County communities will host public events to honor the victims and heroes of that day.
Aurora
9/11 Memorial Ceremony
The Aurora Police and Fire Honor Guard will present a 9/11 Memorial Ceremony honoring those who lost their lives and the first responders who answered the call.
Time: 7:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11
Location: Front parking lot of the Aurora Police Department, 1200 E. Indian Trail, Aurora
Elgin
25th Anniversary Patriot Day Remembrance Ceremony
Elgin will mark the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, with a remembrance ceremony honoring those who lost their lives, first responders and others who answered the call.
Time: 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11
\nLocation: West steps of City Hall, 150 Dexter Court, Elgin
Inclement weather location: The Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way.
Huntley
25th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony
The Huntley community will gather at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at Huntley Town Square to mark the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001.
The remembrance ceremony will include remarks from community leaders, traditional observances and a moment of silence honoring those who lost their lives and the first responders who answered the call.
Rain location: Huntley Fire Protection District Station 1, 11118 Main St.
Elburn
25th Anniversary Remembrance & Open House
The Elburn & Countryside Fire Protection District will host a remembrance ceremony and community open house on Sept. 11.
Remembrance Ceremony: 8–9:30 a.m.
The ceremony will include the Elburn & Countryside Fire District Honor Guard.
Community Open House: 10 a.m.–noon
Residents can meet District members, enjoy coffee and conversation, and visit the firehouse.
Location: ECFPD Station 1, 200 E. Route 38, Elburn
Carpentersville
25 Years: Remember 9/11 in a New Light
The Village of Carpentersville will host an evening ceremony at the new Riverfront Park.
The event will feature two beams of light rising into the sky, American flags and images from Sept. 11 along the park paths. Guest speakers, moments of reflection and candle votives also will be part of the ceremony.
Time: 7:30–8:30 p.m.
Location: New Riverfront Park, 155 S. Washington St., Carpentersville
St. Charles
9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
The St. Charles Fire Department will hold its annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at 7:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11.
The approximately 20-minute ceremony will include remarks from Fire Chief Jeremy Mauthe, the posting of the Memorial Flag, placement of a wreath and a moment of silence.
The ceremony is open to the public and will be held rain or shine.
Location: Fire Department Memorial Monument, 2 E. Main St., St. Charles
Rain location: Fire Station No. 1, 112 N. Riverside Ave., St. Charles
To add an event that is not listed, please email kanecountyconnects@kanecountyil.gov
The Kane County Health Department (KCHD) is reporting the first two human cases of West Nile virus in Kane County for the 2026 mosquito season. Both individuals are Aurora residents and developed the more serious, neuroinvasive form of West Nile virus requiring hospitalization.
“These cases are a reminder that West Nile virus is present in our community and that mosquito bite prevention remains important throughout the remainder of the mosquito season," said Michael Isaacson, KCHD Executive Director. “While most people infected with West Nile virus do not develop symptoms, the virus can cause serious illness, particularly in older adults and people with weakened immune systems."
West Nile virus is most commonly spread to people through the bite of an infected Culex mosquito, commonly known as a house mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on birds carrying the virus and can then transmit the virus to people and other animals.
KCHD conducts ongoing mosquito surveillance and works with local partners to monitor and reduce the risk of West Nile virus in the community. There were five human cases of West Nile Virus in 2025 and four in 2024.
The best way to prevent West Nile virus is to avoid mosquito bites:
- Use insect repellent. Apply an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol according to label directions.
- Wear protective clothing. When outdoors, particularly from dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are most active, wear long sleeves, long pants, socks and shoes.
- Eliminate standing water. Empty water from flowerpots, buckets, birdbaths, children's pools, pet dishes, tires and other containers at least once a week.
- Maintain screens. Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens and repair any holes or tears.
- Keep grass and weeds trimmed. Mosquitoes can use vegetation around homes as resting areas.
Most people infected with West Nile virus do not develop symptoms. About one in five people develop a fever and other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. A small number of people develop severe illness that can affect the brain and nervous system, including encephalitis or meningitis. Adults age 60 and older and people with weakened immune systems are at greatest risk for severe disease.
There is no specific treatment or vaccine for West Nile virus in people. Prevention of mosquito bites is the most effective way to reduce the risk of infection.
For more information about West Nile virus, mosquito surveillance and prevention, visit the Kane County Health Department's West Nile virus webpage.
Five major Illinois Department of Transportation projects totaling more than $242.5 million are planned for the Kane County area as part of the state’s Rebuild Illinois infrastructure program.
The projects, which are scheduled to begin between spring and summer 2027, will improve safety, mobility and traffic flow along several important Kane County transportation corridors. Construction is expected to be completed between 2027 and 2030.
The five projects include:
- Illinois 47 from Jericho Road to south of Galena Road: Reconstruction is anticipated to begin in summer 2027 and be completed in 2028. One lane of traffic will remain open throughout construction.
- Illinois 47 from Cross Street to Jericho Road: Reconstruction is anticipated to begin in spring 2027 and be completed in 2028. One lane of traffic will remain open throughout construction.
- Illinois 25 at May Lane, Courier Avenue and Seminary Road: Intersection improvements, channelization and culvert replacement are anticipated to begin in spring 2027 and be completed in fall 2027. One lane of traffic will remain open throughout construction.
- U.S. 20 from Illinois 31 to east of Grace Street: Bridge replacement is scheduled to begin in spring 2027 and be completed in 2030. One lane of traffic will remain open throughout construction.
- U.S. 20 west of Randall Road to east of Shales Parkway: Noise wall construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2027 and be completed in 2028. One lane of traffic will remain open throughout construction.
“The state’s Rebuild Illinois investments are essential to addressing Kane County’s growing traffic congestion,” said Kane County Board Chair Corinne Pierog. “With a growing population of approximately 526,000 and continued development along the Illinois 47 and U.S. 20 corridors, the $61 million in Rebuild Illinois projects along these key corridors will improve safety, strengthen transportation and support the growth of our communities and developing economy.”
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The projects are part of Rebuild Illinois, a $33.2 billion, six-year investment in the state’s transportation system. The program supports improvements across multiple modes of transportation, including roads and bridges, transit, waterways, freight and passenger rail, aviation, and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.
Through its seventh year, Rebuild Illinois has funded $25.6 billion in improvements statewide, including work on 24,498 miles of highways, 959 bridges and 1,475 additional safety improvements.
For more information and highlights of Rebuild Illinois projects throughout Illinois, visit IDOT’s Rebuild Illinois webpage.
September is Hunger Action Month, a time to raise awareness about food insecurity and connect individuals and families with resources that can help put nutritious food on the table.
In Kane County, that work is supported by the Kane County Hunger Relief Network, a collaborative partnership convened by the Kane County Health Department and University of Illinois Extension. Established in 2018, the network brings together food pantries, hunger relief organizations and community partners to share resources, identify solutions and strengthen food access efforts throughout Kane County.
“Food insecurity is about more than having enough food. It's also about making sure people can find and access nutritious food and the other resources they need," said Christine Birns, Food and Health Systems Educator with the University of Illinois Extension. “The partnerships we've built through the Hunger Relief Network allow us to work together, share ideas and connect residents with support in their own communities."
Through its work, the network is helping expand the role of food pantries, which are increasingly becoming places where residents can connect with a variety of resources. In addition to food, some pantries offer services such as energy assistance, health screenings and career-readiness programs.
Access to fresh produce is another important focus. Birns said local farmers and community gardens have helped pantries provide more fresh fruits and vegetables. Several pantry gardens have been established with assistance from the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener program.
These gardens require ongoing volunteer support and coordination to remain productive. Birns works with community partners to help sustain the gardens and ensure they can continue providing fresh produce to neighbors.
Residents seeking food assistance can use the Find Food IL Map, an online resource that helps people locate nearby food pantries, meal programs and other food resources throughout Illinois.
The map also includes information about WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) and Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) offices, as well as free and reduced-price school meal programs, summer meal sites and resources for older adults. It also includes community food resources that may not be affiliated with a traditional food bank, including church-based food pantries.
University of Illinois Extension is also piloting the Find Food Illinois Navigators program, which takes a more personalized approach by helping people identify and connect with resources that fit their individual needs.
According to Feeding America, 11.1% of Kane County residents and 10.5% of children experienced food insecurity in 2023. In addition, 37.1% of Kane County households were below the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold, meaning many working households continue to face challenges meeting basic needs, including food.
Residents and organizations interested in learning more or getting involved with the network can contact the Kane County Health Department through its website.
Find food assistance near you: Find Food IL