Hello Elgin! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Holiday fireworks and drone show, tornado cleanup, and uncaged in the zoo + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Holiday events and displays: Chicago-area skies will sparkle July 3 and 4, with fireworks at 10 p.m. on July 4 and a drone show sponsored by Elgin Kia and Weck Auto Group -- see what’s happening locally.
Storm recovery begins: After an EF-1 tornado struck Bartlett on Thursday, June 18, homeowners began clearing debris and assessing tremendous damage as storms battered the Chicago area, with cleanup ongoing near Elgin -- see the tornado cleanup.
Price pressures shift again: May’s Consumer Price Index for Chicago-Naperville-Elgin rose 1.1 percent, up 3.7 percent year over year. Food prices fell while energy costs jumped. June’s CPI is scheduled July 14 -- track Chicago price shifts.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
You've traveled abroad without being able to speak the local language. You can change that in just 10 minutes a day. Most people are holding real conversations within three weeks. In fact, 92% of users improved their proficiency in just two months, with 25 million subscriptions sold -- take 55% off.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Quick nature fix: Take a breather at Lords Park, with shady trails, picnic spots, the historic Pavilion, the Elgin Public Museum, and the small-but-charming Lords Park Zoo all in one place. Wrap it with a splash at the Lords Park Family Aquatic Center, no epic planning or long drive required.
Greener home, fewer sighs: If your spider plant looks more haunted than housewarming, Royal plant care pairs you with the right leafy roommate and the know-how to keep it thriving. Stop by this week, pick their brains, and upgrade your windowsill vibes without turning your living room into a jungle you regret.
Need a little nostalgia: Let Whatnots & Whimsies scratch that vintage itch when your home needs more character than a big-box run provides. Expect curated mid-century pieces, classic kitchenware, retro clothing, and jewelry sourced from local consignors, so your find tells a story and keeps Elgin’s treasures circulating.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Makeup for skin that's changed, now up to 65% off: Laura Geller has built its following on formulas made for mature skin, led by the baked foundations women over 40 keep coming back to. Right now, new email subscribers get up to 65% off plus an extra 22%. Enter your email on the page and the discount activates. *See the VIP pricing →
Need cash but can't take on another monthly payment? This gets you a lump sum from your home's equity with no monthly bill and no interest, because it isn't a loan. Use the funds for anything, whether that's home improvements, paying off debt, or a large purchase, and pay it back by the end of your 30-year term. Checking your offer is easy, fully online, and won't affect your credit score. *See your cash offer →
Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🚗 Cars on Wednesday @ One Twenty Live (Bartlett) | Wednesday (6/24) at 5:00 PM – Cruise night is rolling into 120 Live every Wednesday, a midweek pit stop for clean builds, classics, imports, exotics, bikes, and overlanders. Bring the kids, the dog, and your inner 16-year-old. Order first, ogle later, then call it therapy you didn’t have to co-pay.
🎶 Village of South Elgin Wednesday Night Summer Concert Series @ Panton Mill Park | Wednesday (6/24) – Wednesday nights in South Elgin mean lawn chairs, sensible shoes, and a singalong you pretend not to know. My Weekend Crush tears through Britney, Blink-182, Chappell Roan, and The Killers, so bring your best chorus voice, your favorite neighbor, and a forgiving back.
🧚 Illinois Finklepott Fairies @ Banbury Fair (Bartlett) | Friday (6/26) at 10:00 AM – Fairy Hair pop-up at Banbury Fair in Bartlett brings Finklepott's Fairies to sparkle up your locks with their Original Fairy Hair strands. It’s charming, not cheesy, and surprisingly sturdy, perfect for a little everyday magic. Cash only, because even fairies respect small-town reality.
🏃 Color Outside the Line 5k and Family Fair @ Panton Mill Park (South Elgin) | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – If your running shoes only see action at the farmer's market, this 5K and family fair is their comeback tour. New, more accessible location, walkers welcome, kid magic for all abilities via bounce house, face painter, and balloons, plus a performance. Community, inclusion, and fun.
🦁 Uncaged in the Zoo @ Lords Park | Saturday (6/27) at 12:30 PM – Skip the errands and get face to face with critters that hiss, swoop, and nap at Uncaged in the Zoo, select Saturdays. Expect reptiles, exotics, Anderson Humane, plus a celebrity cameo from Xena the sloth. Hands-on, low-stress, and guaranteed to delight the grandkids, and you.
🐾 Forever Homes & Summer Vibes Adoption Day @ Critters (South Elgin) | Sunday (6/28) at 11:00 AM – Head to Critters Pet Shop in South Elgin for the final Cat Adoption Sunday, and trade errands for purr therapy. Meet whiskered charmers ready for forever homes, soak up summer vibes, and bring a carrier, your ID, and enough willpower to adopt only one.
🎸 Rock 101 Camp @ School of Rock | Monday (6/29) – Rock 101 is a beginner-friendly music camp for kids 8 to 12, no experience, just enthusiasm. They explore instruments through games and activities, discovering rhythm, teamwork, and volume control, while you savor a little quiet, a coffee, and bragging rights.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Elgin report Weather forecastToday — High: 78°F — Low: 59°F — Precip: 48%
A chance of rain showers between 11am and 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. South southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10pm and 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. West southwest wind 0 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Tomorrow — High: 79°F — Low: 58°F — Precip: 15%
A slight chance of rain showers after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. West northwest wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Chance of precipitation is 30%. This house is wildThis brick-front, two-story showpiece is the community’s largest floorplan, with a versatile study, formal front rooms, and an open family hub anchored by a gourmet kitchen with GE Profile double oven, 36-inch cooktop, subway tile backsplash, and soft-close cabinetry. Upstairs offers four bedrooms, including an owner’s suite with a home office and giant walk-in closet, all in Elgin’s amenity-rich Ponds of Stony Creek.
Take a peek inside → |
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