Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How Des Plaines’ new 40-bay EV hub could change local driving
Make time for Willow Hill Lights - Open nightly thru Jan 4 on the Des Plaines Patch calendar
Good morning Des Plaines! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How Des Plaines’ new 40-bay EV hub could change local driving
- Why Maine West’s Des Plaines sign is fueling Park Ridge debate
- Why a former Des Plaines educator now faces termination downstate
Also on today's calendar: Willow Hill Lights - Open nightly thru Jan 4.
Find out what's happening in Des Plainesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Des Plainesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Wednesday: Cooler; afternoon mist, with a high of 44 and low of 36 degrees.
- Thursday: Low clouds, temps: high: 41, low: 38.
- Friday: A couple of morning showers, with a high of 49 and low of 36 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Electric Vehicle Charging Hub Opens In Des Plaines (journal-topics.com) — A major new 40-bay BP Pulse electric vehicle charging hub has opened next to the Holiday Inn Express on Mannheim Road in Des Plaines, giving local drivers and airport travelers fast-charging options with canopies and free Wi‑Fi. Supported by ComEd and state funding, the site positions Des Plaines as a key EV corridor near O’Hare and, according to the mayor, as a city preparing for future transportation needs. 
• Park Ridge Elected Officials Debate Relaxing Electronic Sign Ban (journal-topics.com) — A Park Ridge committee is debating whether to relax its ban on electronic signs, with one alderperson pointing to Maine West High School in Des Plaines already having a digital sign while Maine South and Maine East cannot. Officials are weighing communication and safety benefits against concerns about changing neighborhood character, especially near schools in residential areas. The proposal is tabled for now, but could resurface with more input from local districts.
• PDR superintendent saga continues - Republic-Times (republictimes.net) — A school superintendent who recently moved from Des Plaines to Prairie du Rocher is now facing a termination hearing after being suspended shortly into the school year. The Prairie du Rocher School Board has issued dismissal charges and set a Jan. 15 pre-termination hearing, while residents question procedures and an interim superintendent oversees the district.
📸 Around Des Plaines
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Des Plaines
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Willow Hill Lights - Open nightly thru Jan 4
Willow Hill Golf Course, 1350 Willow Rd, Northbrook
5:00 pm
Saturday January 3
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- This week, food events delivered to you from Brindille, George's Deep Dish, Frontera Grill, & more!
3:00 pm - Master Bespoke Tailor Launches Hands-On Fashion Classes at E.W.S. Fashion Academy, est. 1995
137 N Oak Park Ave , Oak Park
9:00 am
Friday December 26
Saturday January 3
📣 Des Plaines Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Snow Buddies !
Bottle & Bottega by Painting with a Twist , 424 W Touhy Ave , Park Ridge
12:00 pm - Puzzlemania for Adults
Chicago Bee Branch Library , 3647 South State Street , Chicago
9:30 am - Stay and Play
Canaryville Branch Library , 642 West 43rd Street , Chicago
10:00 am - Film Screening: A Wrinkle in Time (2018)
Back of the Yards Branch Library , 4650 South Damen Avenue , Chicago
10:00 am - Public Skate — Nicholas Sportsplex
Nicholas Sportsplex , 1501 Feehanville Dr #6012 , Mt Prospect
12:00 pm - Northwest Chargers-Parent & Child Learn To Skate — Nicholas Sportsplex
Nicholas Sportsplex , 1501 Feehanville Dr #6012 , Mt Prospect
5:10 pm - Holiday Winter Glow
Bottle & Bottega by Painting with a Twist , 424 W Touhy Ave , Park Ridge
7:00 pm - Open Art Studio with Ericka Soto
McKinley Park Branch Library , 1915 West 35th Street , Chicago
9:30 am - Grab and Go Kits: New Year's Eve Craft
Canaryville Branch Library , 642 West 43rd Street , Chicago
10:00 am - Impermanence: The Art of Letting Go - Guided Meditation Retreat
Kadampa Meditation Center Chicago , 13 Harrison St , Oak Park
10:00 am
Wednesday December 24
Friday December 26
Saturday December 27
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Des Plaines PatchAM possible:
- Appliance Repair Park Ridge — (847) 449-5310
Local Same Day Appliance Repair in Park Ridge
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- "Best of the Best" Awards were held in the Orland Park Civic Center by the American Arab Chamber of Commerce —Syed Khalil Ullah Read on Patch
- Du Page Democrats hosted the annual holiday party. —Syed Khalil Ullah Read on Patch
- Illinois Muslim Civic Coalition Successfully Hosts “Annual State of the Coalition Brunch” —Syed Khalil Ullah Read on Patch
- The Illinois Muslim Chamber of Commerce has formally established a new office in Glen Ellyn —Syed Khalil Ullah Read on Patch
- A civic event was held at the Vernon Hills by the Unified Civic Engagement Forum (UCEF). —Syed Khalil Ullah Read on Patch
- A fuel spill from both wing tanks of Frontier Flight 2445 from Chicago to LAX is being contained by Chicago Fire Department Squad 7 at O'Hare Terminal 5 Gate M29.
5:57PM on Dec 22: Hazmat response is underway for a fuel spill from both wing tanks at Terminal 5 Gate M29 at O'Hare Airport. (Nextdoor ) - Police activity at station in Chicago, Illinois.
2:35AM on Dec 23: Chicago police activity on the Pink Line at the Washington/Wells station prompts warnings to avoid the area. (Nextdoor )
- Dave & Buster's Restaurant posted a job opening for Janitorial Maintenance in Des Plaines. Apply here.
- O'Reilly Auto Parts posted a job opening for Assistant Store Manager in Des Plaines. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Des Plaines here.
🗞 Nearby News
Mount Prospect
- Village Board Adds Speed Bumps To Hatlen Heights Traffic Calming Project (journal-topics.com)
Park Ridge
- Brent Bays (johnsoncountypost.com)
- Cook County property tax troubles trigger school district losses, reform demands (chicagotribune.com)
Rosemont
Ok Des Plaines! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I got tired of the hole business.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
