Good Morning Neighbors! 👋
We hope everyone had a meaningful Memorial Day weekend and had a chance to relax, recharge and spend time with family, friends and loved ones. As we move into the unofficial start of summer, there is a lot happening across the Northwest Suburbs.
In this week’s Northwest Neighbor, we’re highlighting:
• A major local win in the newest Best Places to Live in Illinois rankings
• The latest buzz around Arlington Heights and the possible Bears stadium project
• Quick community updates from several Northwest Suburbs
• New and upcoming local businesses worth checking out
• A fun local fact with a surprising connection to the birth of the cellphone
• Weekend events, markets, live music, comedy and more things to do nearby
• Our quote of the week 🙂
Thanks for reading!. We’re excited to help you stay connected to the people, places and stories that make the Northwest Suburbs feel like home.
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Northwest Nuggets - Did You Know? 💡
The birth of the cellphone has a local connection. Motorola, which had a major presence in Schaumburg, helped create the first handheld mobile phone. In 1973, inventor Martin Cooper made the world’s first cellphone call from a street in New York using the Motorola DynaTAC, a bulky device later known as “the brick.”
Pretty cool to think that a piece of everyday technology has roots right here in the Northwest Suburbs.
Top Local Stories 🔥
Northwest Suburbs Shine in New Best Places to Live Report!
The latest U.S. News & World Report rankings gave the Northwest Suburbs plenty to celebrate. Buffalo Grove earned the top spot as the No. 1 Best Place to Live in Illinois, with several nearby communities also landing in the top 10.
Local standouts include Arlington Heights at No. 3, Palatine at No. 4, Elgin at No. 6, Schaumburg at No. 8, Des Plaines at No. 9 and Skokie at No. 10.
It is a great reminder of what makes this area so special: strong communities, great local amenities and a high quality of life close to Chicago!
Arlington Heights Stadium Buzz Heats Up
Arlington Heights is back in the spotlight as Illinois lawmakers continue debating a “megaprojects” bill tied to the Chicago Bears’ potential stadium at the former Arlington Park site. Mayor Jim Tinaglia says he is optimistic the bill will pass, even if it comes down to the final hours of the legislative session.
The bill could help provide long-term property tax certainty for major developments like the Bears stadium, while Indiana continues making its own push to bring the team to Hammond. For now, all eyes remain on Springfield and Arlington Heights.
Quick Local Updates 📢
Buffalo Grove continued work on its BG 2050 Comprehensive Plan, focusing on future redevelopment, transportation, and housing growth. (Source)
Elgin officials highlighted ongoing downtown redevelopment and mixed-use investment projects as part of the city’s 2026 development pipeline. (Source)
Palatine officials joined neighboring suburbs in requesting involvement in future traffic and infrastructure planning tied to the proposed Bears stadium redevelopment. (Source)
Schaumburg Village Board approved the Loeber Farm residential PUD in January 2026 (Nitti Development's 122-unit for-sale housing project on 33 acres), and the developer is now working to obtain permits with the goal of breaking ground in spring/summer 2026. (Source)
Niles zoning boards pushed forward with structural review assessments regarding The Pinnacle, a major 215-unit multi-family mixed-use transit center on Touhy Avenue featuring a planned arts commission gallery space on the first level. (Source)
Local Business Spotlight 🌟
Jet’s Pizza Opens in Wheeling
Jet’s Pizza officially opened its new Wheeling location earlier this year at 1065 E. Lake Cook Road, bringing its popular Detroit-style deep-dish pizza to the area. The new spot offers the brand’s signature square pizzas, including its famous 8-corner pizza, along with Jet’s Bread, wings, salads and more.
A tasty new option for local families, businesses and pizza lovers in Wheeling & nearby towns. (Source)
Bell House Books Coming to Barrington
Bell House Books, a woman-owned independent bookstore, is preparing to open its first brick-and-mortar location at the Ice House Mall in downtown Barrington in Summer 2026. The new shop will offer curated book selections for all ages, along with community-focused events and programming designed to bring local readers together. (Source)
Hideaway Brew Garden Soft Opening in Hoffman Estates
Hideaway Brew Garden is kicking off the season with a soft opening on Friday, May 29 from 6 PM to 11 PM. Guests can enjoy live music from Exit 147, check out the new spaces and get an early taste of the summer atmosphere before opening weekend officially begins.
A fun local spot to welcome back just in time for summer. (Source)
Things to do This Weekend 🎟️
Local Markets, Fairs & Rummages 🛍️
Skokie Community-Wide Garage Sale (Link)
Date: Friday, May 29th to Sunday, May 31st
Time: 8 AM to 7 PM daily
Location: Various homes throughout Skokie
Address: Community-wide event across Skokie, IL
Price: Free to browse
Details: Skokie’s Community-Wide Garage Sale returns for a full weekend of bargain hunting, with hundreds of local households participating. It is a great chance to explore the neighborhood, find hidden treasures and support local residents.
Palatine Farmers Market (Link)
Date: Saturday, May 30th (Every Saturday through October)
Time: 7 AM to 1 PM
Location: Palatine Train Station Parking Lot
Address: 137 W. Wood Street, Palatine, IL 60067
Price: Free to attend
Details: Stop by this weekly regional farmers market featuring local agricultural vendors, fresh goods, street food setups and live acoustic background music. It is a great Saturday morning stop for families, neighbors and anyone looking to shop local.
Park Ridge Farmers Market (Link)
Date: Saturday, May 30th (Saturdays, through the end of October)
Time: 7 AM to 1 PM
Location: Wooster Park / Park Ridge Farmers Market area
Address: Park Ridge, IL
Price: Free to attend
Details: Enjoy a rain-or-shine seasonal market featuring fresh regional produce, local baked goods, artisan vendors and more. It is a great Saturday morning stop for fresh finds and local shopping.
Summer Makers Market (Link)
Date: Saturday, May 30th
Time: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Location: Friendship Park Conservatory
Address: 395 W. Algonquin Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016
Price: Free to attend
Details: Shop 30+ local vendors at this indoor and outdoor makers market featuring merchandise created and curated by small businesses in the community. It is a fun way to kick off summer, explore the conservatory and support local artisans.
Live Music 🎵
JBC Presents: ChiTown Popes / Mellenium / 3 If By Air (Link)
Date: Friday, May 29th
Time: Doors open at 6:15 PM | Show starts at 7:15 PM
Location: Durty Nellie’s
Address: 180 N. Smith Street, Palatine, IL 60067
Price: $10 in advance | $13 day of show
Details: Enjoy a high-energy night of live music featuring ChiTown Popes, Mellenium and 3 If By Air. This multi-band regional rock showcase brings a mix of classic and modern alternative hits to one of Palatine’s favorite live music venues.
The Resonance of Form: A Live Music & Dance Performance (Link)
Date: Friday, May 29th
Time: 7 PM
Location: The Storefront
Address: 4051 Main Street, Skokie, IL 60076
Price: Free, reservation recommended
Details: Experience an immersive live performance blending modern music, dance and interactive technology. Skokie Artist Fellows Tim Corpus and Rachel Molinaro use movement, digital sound and visual response to create a one-of-a-kind performance environment.
Bourbon ’N Brass: Live Jazz, Blues, Pop & Reggae (Link)
Date: Friday, May 29th
Time: Doors open at 6:30 PM | Show starts at 8:30 PM
Location: Bourbon ’N Brass Speakeasy at Des Plaines Theatre
Address: 1476 Miner Street, Des Plaines, IL 60016
Price: $10 entertainment fee
Details: Enjoy an intimate cabaret-style evening of jazz, blues, pop and reggae with the Bourbon ’N Brass Trio featuring vocalist Justyna Biala. Food and hand-crafted cocktails will be available for purchase, with seating offered on a first-come, first-seated basis.
Infinity: Current to Classic Ultimate Rock Experience (Link)
Date: Friday, May 29th
Time: 8 PM
Location: Des Plaines Theatre
Address: 1476 Miner Street, Des Plaines, IL 60016
Price: Tickets required
Details: Get ready for a high-energy night of classic and current rock hits with Infinity, one of the Midwest’s longtime favorite live cover bands. Expect big arena-rock energy, powerful vocals and crowd-favorite songs from bands like Journey and more.
Karaoke Night with The Brothers Sinatra (Link)
Date: Saturday, May 30th
Time: 8 PM to 11 PM
Location: Sports Shack Bar & Grill
Address: 1904 S. Elmhurst Road, Mount Prospect, IL 60056
Price: Free to attend
Details: The Brothers Sinatra return to Sports Shack Bar & Grill for a fun night of karaoke, music and local entertainment. Guests can grab the mic, sing their favorite songs and enjoy a lively Saturday night out in Mount Prospect.
Blackened: Metallica Tribute Concert (Link)
Date: Saturday, May 30th
Time: 8 PM
Location: Durty Nellie’s
Address: 180 N. Smith Street, Palatine, IL 60067
Price: Tickets required
Details: Rock fans can catch Blackened live at Durty Nellie’s for a high-energy tribute to Metallica. The show brings the sound, intensity and stage presence of classic Metallica performances to one of Palatine’s best-known live music venues.
Something Different 🎭
An Evening of Improv Comedy with The Second City (Link) *
Date: Friday, May 29th
Time: Early Show at 7 PM | Late Show at 9 PM
Location: Barrington’s White House
Address: 145 W. Main Street, Barrington, IL 60010
Price: Tickets required
Details: Enjoy a night of live comedy as performers from The Second City bring unscripted improv and original sketch comedy to Barrington. The show is fueled by audience suggestions, making each performance unique, fast-paced and full of laughs.
Hitz Boxing Presents: Fight Night at the Belvedere (Link) *
Date: Friday, May 29th
Time: 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM
Location: Belvedere Events & Banquets
Address: 1170 W. Devon Avenue, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
Price: Tickets required
Details: Enjoy a high-energy night of live boxing presented by Hitz Boxing at Belvedere Events & Banquets. The evening will feature a lineup of professional fights, making it a lively local option for sports fans and anyone looking for something different to do on Friday night.
Quote of the week ✨
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
- Helen Keller
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More neighbors = More fun!
We’ll see you next Tuesday! Have a wonderful week!
