👋 45+ November Events + Bears Stadium Update

November is Native American Heritage Month, so we thought it was a good time to look at some of the history beneath the communities we call home today.

Long before the Northwest Suburbs were filled with homes, roads and shopping centers, this region was home to several Native nations. The Forest Preserves of Cook County recognizes these lands as the ancestral homelands of the Ojibwa, Ottawa and Potawatomi, along with the Miami, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Peoria, Sauk and Meskwaki peoples.

The Des Plaines River Valley was especially important, with Potawatomi, Ottawa and Chippewa communities living throughout the area before European-American settlement expanded during the 1800s.

Native trails also crossed parts of what are now our northern and Northwest Suburbs, connecting villages, rivers and important travel routes long before today’s roads existed.

So while our suburbs may feel relatively modern, the history of this area goes back much further than many of us realize.

November is packed with holiday markets, tree lightings, live entertainment, seasonal displays and some of Chicagoland’s biggest annual traditions. Here are 45+ events worth putting on your calendar this month!

• Arlington Heights: The village’s proposed 2027 budget keeps the property tax levy flat while continuing investments in public safety, infrastructure, long-term planning and community programs. Public review meetings are scheduled for Nov. 9 and Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. at Village Hall.

• Bartlett: Route 59 will be closed at the railroad crossing north of Schick Road from Nov. 2 at 9 a.m. through Nov. 7 at 9 a.m. for railroad track repairs. Drivers should expect detours and allow extra travel time.

• Des Plaines: The Chamber of Commerce & Industry is hosting a Career Fair on Nov. 4 from 3–6:30 p.m. at the Des Plaines Public Library, with employers hiring in fields including administration, customer service, manufacturing and more.

• Elgin: Mayor David J. Kaptain has been named the first mayor to receive the Champion of Metro West Award, recognizing his leadership and contributions to the region.

• Elk Grove Village: Construction is underway on Phase II of The Vue, a mixed-use development at Arlington Heights and Higgins roads. The current concrete walls will form the interior parking garage, which will eventually be surrounded by apartments.

• Palatine: American Legion Post 690 is seeking donations for its annual Adopt-A-Sailor Thanksgiving dinner, which gives recruits from Great Lakes Naval Station a holiday meal, activities and time to call home.

• Park Ridge: The city has been selected for ComEd’s EV Readiness Program, which will help Park Ridge plan for future electric vehicle charging infrastructure, review local policies and prepare for growing EV adoption.

• Schaumburg: The village has earned the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 12th consecutive year, recognizing its 2026-27 budget for clarity, transparency and strong financial planning.

• Skokie: Families in Evanston/Skokie School District 65 are threatening legal action over a proposal to close Lincolnwood and Dewey elementary schools as the district works to address a roughly $5 million deficit. The school board is expected to vote on the plan Nov. 9.

• Wheeling: The township is collecting donations for Operation Support Our Troops – America Inc. through Dec. 9, helping send care packages and support to deployed U.S. service members.

Arlington Heights: Recreation Park | Nov. 7th | newly updated and modernized Community Center | Link

Crystal Lake: Fox River Glass & Mirror | Home Decor Shop | Link

Elgin: Elgin Lanes | Bowling Alley | Link

Elgin: Jamaica One Love Kitchen | Nov. 7th | Restaurant | Link

McHenry: CLUBS McHenry | Social Space | Link

Morton Grove: 404 Burgers | Restaurant | Link

Park Ridge: IV Nutrition | IV Therapy | Link

Schaumburg: Bonjour Paris | French-inspired dessert café | Link

Halloween may be over, but we wanted to share a few of the spooky setups we came across last week!

My wife and I take an evening walk every day, and we spotted some really impressive Halloween decorations around the neighborhood. A few were too good not to share, so we snapped some photos of our favorites.

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“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” ― Thomas A. Edison

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