The Secret Forest of Elk Grove: Busse Woods and Its Famous Elk

Elk Grove Village is home to one of the Northwest Suburbs’ best outdoor gems: Busse Woods, officially known as the Ned Brown Preserve.

The preserve spans more than 3,500 acres and is a favorite spot for walking, biking, boating and picnics. It’s also home to Elk Grove’s famous elk pasture, where visitors can see a small herd of elk near Arlington Heights Road and Higgins Road.

The herd has been part of the area’s story since the 1920s, making it a fun piece of local history right in our own backyard. (Link)

Illinois Universities Earn Global Recognition

Eleven Illinois universities were ranked among the best in the world in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities rankings.

That includes Northwestern University in Evanston at No. 26 globally, the University of Chicago at No. 25 and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign at No. 98.

Rankings are not everything, but it is still pretty cool to see so many Illinois schools recognized on a global stage, with some of the world’s top academic institutions right here in our own backyard.

Illinois Tollway Proposes First Passenger Toll Increase in Over a Decade

The Illinois Tollway is proposing its first passenger-vehicle toll increase since 2012. If approved, the changes would begin January 1, with I-PASS users seeing an average increase of about 45 cents per toll and non-I-PASS drivers seeing about 90 cents more.

The Tollway says the added revenue would help fund road, bridge and interchange improvements across the system. Public hearings are expected to begin in July before a final decision is made. (Link)

Arlington Heights Is Hosting Its First-Ever Drone Show at Frontier Days

The show is happening Thursday, July 2 at 9:35 PM at Recreation Park and will feature 400 drones creating patriotic displays synchronized to music in honor of America’s 250th Anniversary.

With Frontier Days, food, music and now a drone show lighting up the sky, this sounds like a fun local summer night worth checking out.

• Arlington Heights: The Police Department is hosting its first “Night in the Heights” on Wednesday, July 29, from 5:30 to 8:30 PM at North School Park. The free community event will feature live music, K9 demos, food trucks, games and family-friendly activities. (Link)

• Des Plaines: A former 1927 bank building in downtown Des Plaines is being transformed into “The Dime”, a new restaurant planned for 2027. The project will include dining space on multiple levels, private event areas and even seating inside the old bank vault, creating what city leaders hope will become a major downtown destination. (Link)

• Elgin: The city has launched a new online Construction Projects Hub where residents can track road and infrastructure projects, view an interactive map, and sign up for email updates on specific projects, neighborhoods or travel routes. (Link)

• Hoffman Estates: The village is moving forward with replacement fire stations for Stations 21 and 22. Fire Station 21 on Flagstaff Lane is substantially completed, while construction on the new Fire Station 22 near Governors Lane and Higgins Road is expected to begin in July. (Link)

• Lake Zurich: The village is continuing its commitment to 100% clean, renewable energy through its Green Power Choice Program partnership with MC Squared Energy Services. Lake Zurich also remains an EPA-certified Green Power Community and is ranked No. 1 in Illinois for renewable energy. (Link)

• Rolling Meadows: District 214 approved a new solar energy project at Rolling Meadows High School that is expected to save more than $3.5 million over 25 years. The project will also create student internship opportunities and scholarship funding tied to renewable energy career exploration. (Link)

This week, we’re introducing our neighbors to PulsePoint IV, a local wellness business founded by Isalie Dominguez, RN. PulsePoint IV offers mobile IV hydration and wellness services throughout the Northwest Suburbs, with options designed around hydration, recovery, energy, beauty-focused wellness and general support.

As always, we encourage our readers to ask questions, review services carefully and consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any wellness or IV therapy service.

Northwest Neighbor readers can get 10% off with code “northwestneighbor.”

Learn more about PulsePoint IV & book your mobile IV therapy session here.

Synchronicity Dance (Palatine) | Sat, June 27 | Celebrate the studio's grand opening with an exciting night of introductory classes, live performances, and dancing. (Link)

People's Prairie Native Garden (Niles) | Sat, June 27 | Explore a new wetland prairie at a grand opening featuring free food, kid-friendly crafts, and local guest speakers. (Link)

USA Laundromat (Skokie) | Sat, June 27 | Check out the area's newest laundry facility at a grand opening showcasing brand-new, high-speed commercial machines. (Link)

Piccolo Buco (Schaumburg) | Mon, June 29 | Taste a century-old Roman tradition at the grand opening of this pizzeria famous for its cloudlike crust cut tableside with scissors. (Link)

Chicagoland’s Best Hot Dog Has Been Crowned

After three weeks, 64 local hot dog spots and more than 45,000 votes, WGN Radio’s first-ever Chicagoland’s Best Hot Dogs Tournament has a winner: Rand Red Hots.

The Des Plaines favorite took the top spot over Cozzi Corner, giving local hot dog fans another reason to check out one of the area’s classic neighborhood stands.

O’Hare Eats Worth Knowing

Airport food has not always had the best reputation, but if you’re flying out of O’Hare this summer, there are actually some solid spots worth knowing about. A new NBC Chicago guide highlights traveler favorites like Tortas Frontera, Publican Tavern, The Dearborn, Garrett Popcorn and more.

For those of us heading through O’Hare soon, it’s a helpful reminder that there are better options than just grabbing whatever is closest to the gate. (Link)

Rock 'N' Run the Runway (Wheeling) | June 27th | Fireworks 9:15 PM | Chicago Executive Airport (Link)

Independence Day Community Fireworks (Des Plaines) | June 28th | Fireworks 9:15 PM | Oakton College (Link)

87th Annual Mount Prospect Lions Club Festival (Mount Prospect) | July 1-5th | July 1st, Fireworks 9-9:15 PM Approx | Melas Park (Link)

Northwest Fourth-Fest (Hoffman Estates) | July 1-5th | NOW Arena Grounds (Link)

See All 4th of July Events

Long Grove Strawberry Fest (Long Grove) | June 26-28th | $7 | Age 12 & Under Free | Historic Downtown Long Grove (Link)

Hawthorn Row: Street Eats & Summer Beats (Vernon Hills) | June 26th | 3-7 PM | Free | Hawthorn Row (Link)

St. Nectarios Greek Fest (Palatine) | June 26 - 28th | 4-11 PM | Free | St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church (Link)

German Beer Gardens & Summer Concerts (Schaumburg) | June 27th | 4-7:30 PM | Free | Heritage Farm at Spring Valley (Link)

Sounds of Summer: Matchbox 90s (Arlington Heights) | June 25th | 7-8:30 PM | Free | Harmony Park (Link)

Concerts in the Park: Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra (Hoffman Estates) | June 25th | 7-9 PM | Free | Village Green (Link)

Stars & Stories: Arlington Heights's Old Glory (Arlington Heights) | June 26th | 6-8 PM | Free | Arlington Heights Historical Museum (Link)

FREE Wellness Screenings (Streamwood) | June 25th | 10 AM–12 PM | Free | Poplar Creek Public Library (Link)

Arlington Heights Professional Job Fair (Arlington Heights) | June 26th | 10AM-12:30 PM | Free | DoubleTree by Hilton Arlington Heights (Link)

Masks & Masterpieces (Des Plaines) | June 27th| 7PM | $30 | Lakeview Center (Link)

Outdoor Movie Night: Zootopia 2 (Palatine)| June 25th | 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM | Free | Fred P Hall Amphitheater (Link)

Movies Under the Stars: Lilo & Stitch (Buffalo Grove) | June 26th | 8:30 PM | Free | Willow Stream Park (Link)

Movies in the Park: GOAT (Elk Grove Village) | June 26th | 8-10 PM | Free | Pavilion Field (Link)

View All Events

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts."
— Winston Churchill