👋 20 Can't-Miss Festivals, Fairs & Expos, O'Hare Name Origin & Top Things To Do!

Most of us have flown through O’Hare, driven past it, or sat in traffic near it countless times, but do you know where the name actually came from?

The airport is named after Lt. Cmdr. Edward “Butch” O’Hare, a U.S. Navy fighter pilot and Medal of Honor recipient from the Chicago area. In February 1942, O’Hare became a national hero after defending the aircraft carrier USS Lexington against a formation of Japanese bombers. He was credited with shooting down five enemy planes and became the Navy’s first flying ace of World War II.

O’Hare was later killed in action during a nighttime combat mission in November 1943. His aircraft and remains were never recovered.

Chicago’s new airport was originally known as Orchard Field, which is why its airport code is still ORD today. In 1949, the Chicago City Council renamed it Chicago O’Hare International Airport in his honor. There’s even a tribute to him inside the airport. A restored F4F Wildcat fighter aircraft painted in the markings of O’Hare’s Medal of Honor flight is displayed in Terminal 2 near Gate E1.

So the next time you see ORD on a boarding pass, there’s a little bit of Chicago and World War II history behind those three letters.

• Arlington Heights: The village is searching for its next police chief as the current chief prepares to retire. The position will oversee a department with about 110 sworn officers and a $35 million budget, with an anticipated hiring range of $200,000-$215,000.

• Buffalo Grove: The Park District officially renamed its Community Arts Center in honor of longtime commissioner Scott Jacobson, who has served on the board for 25 years. A dedication ceremony and new sign unveiling were held Sept. 19th.

• Des Plaines: The city’s Harvest Hoot returns Oct. 17th from noon-4 PM at Oakton College, with free admission, live entertainment, family activities, a 25+ vendor artisan market, food trucks and the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.

• Elgin: The Fire Department will install free smoke alarms in eligible owner-occupied homes Oct. 18th-24th as part of a statewide safety effort. About 100 alarms are available while supplies last, and residents can submit an installation request through the city.

• Hanover Park: The Fire Department is offering free smoke alarm installations Oct. 18th-24th as part of the statewide “Be Alarmed!” program. Residents can book an appointment to have alarms checked or installed, along with receiving fire safety information.

• Hoffman Estates: James B. Conant High School was named a 2026 School of Distinction by the Illinois Art Education Association, recognizing its art education program for the seventh year.

• McHenry: Downtown improvements are moving forward along the Riverside Riverwalk, with planned work aimed at enhancing the riverfront area and surrounding downtown corridor.

• Mount Prospect: Registration is open through Oct. 19th for the village’s annual Halloween Decorating Contest, with homes and businesses invited to participate. Entries will be featured on a community tour map, with winners announced Oct. 27th.

• Palatine: People Helping People will host its first Helen Roper-themed bar crawl fundraiser Oct. 17th in downtown Palatine, with costumes, raffles and proceeds supporting local families. (Link)

• Rolling Meadows: The Rolling Meadows Library joined a 34-library regional consortium on October 9, 2026, granting residents free reciprocal borrowing access to more than five million catalog items and expanded digital resources.

• Schaumburg: A Schaumburg toddler has become the youngest person to visit all 63 U.S. national parks, completing the milestone with her family at Denali National Park in Alaska.

Elgin: Celebrate Pathways Development Group | Oct. 13th | Housing Assistance & Community Support Services (Link)

Crystal Lake: Care Center Hub | Oct. 15th | Community Assistance & Family Support Center (Link)

Mount Prospect: MOM’s Organic Market | Oct. 16th | Organic Grocery Store (Link)

Wheeling: Korean Children's Museum | Oct. 17th | Interactive Korean Cultural Children's Museum (Link)

Buffalo Grove: COCO Nail Bar | Oct. 18th | Luxury Nail Salon & Spa (Link)

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