🌱 Patch AM: Want one of just 150 copies of Elgin’s new library book?

Hey there, Elgin! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Want one of just 150 copies of Elgin’s new library book?
• How did an Elgin child abuse case lead to 20 years?
• Why a beloved West Dundee spot serving Elgin diners is shutting down

Also on today's calendar: The Giving Tree - Free Christmas Gift Giveaway and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: Last night I had a dream. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Saturday: A p.m. rain or snow shower, with a high of 41 and low of 13 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Sunday: Breezy in the morning; sunny, temps: high: 33, low: 21.
• Monday: Mostly cloudy and breezy, with a high of 45 and low of 37 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Elgin's Gail Borden Public Library produces book commemorating its 150th anniversary (chicagotribune.com) — Elgin’s Gail Borden Public Library is marking its 150th anniversary with a limited-edition, photo-rich history book that highlights how the system serves the Elgin area today. Only 150 copies of the $25 “snapshot” volume are available at the downtown library, tracing the library’s evolution from Gail Borden’s donated mansion to today’s multi-branch district.
   

• Woman Sentenced In Starving Case: Child, 7, Weighed 14 Pounds When Brought To Hospital (patch.com) — An Elgin child’s caretaker has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after prosecutors said a 7-year-old boy was brought to a local hospital in 2024 weighing just 14 pounds. Kane County authorities describe years of severe neglect and torture, and say the child survived but faces long-term medical and psychological challenges. Another defendant’s case remains pending.
   

• Bleuroot to close on New Year's Eve after seven years in downtown West Dundee (chicagotribune.com) — A well-known West Dundee restaurant popular with many Elgin diners, Bleuroot, will close on New Year’s Eve after rising utility and food costs made staying open unsustainable. Owner Maria Terry is helping staff find new jobs, planning consulting work, and staying active with nonprofits including Elgin’s Community Crisis Center, while the restaurant hosts free Christmas Eve meals and a final New Year’s celebration.
   

📸 Around Elgin

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 Elgin

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Tuesday December 23

• FREE WEBINAR | “A Renaissance Christmas - Remix”
  Online,
  11:30 am

Sunday December 21

• The Nutcracker
  Elgin Community College Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Dr Building H, Elgin
  2:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Sunday December 21

• Dinosaur Explorer Exhibit
  Main Library -
  12:00 pm
• The Giving Tree - Free Christmas Gift Giveaway
  Love Family Christian Foundation , 310 E Chicago St , Elgin
  3:00 pm

Monday December 22

• Brothers Rise Up
  Horizon Elementary Elgin, IL 60120
  8:30 am
• Dinosaur Explorer Exhibit
  Main Library -
  9:00 am
• Cardboard Creations: Free Build!
  Main Library - Meadows Community Rooms ABC
  2:00 pm

Tuesday December 23

• Dinosaur Explorer Exhibit
  Main Library -
  9:00 am

Wednesday December 24

• Happy Christmas Eve! ~ Building Closed
  Elgin Calendar Elgin, IL 60120-5570

📣 Elgin 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

Saturday December 20

• Merry Grinchmas Brunch
  Eastside Café - Coffee & Wine Bar , 311 Barrington Ave Unit A , East Dundee
  10:00 am
• Pullman Setup
  Valley Model Railroad , 11141 S Cottage Grove Ave , Chicago
  11:00 am
• Winfield Santa's Trolley Express
  Fox River Trolley Museum , 365 S La Fox St , South Elgin
  12:00 pm
• It's A Canadian Tuxedo Christmas Party — Plank Road Tap Room
  Plank Road Tap Room , 39W149 Plank Rd , Elgin
  12:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Elgin Community College’s Fire Science Program to Implement Electric Vehicle Teaching —Elgin Community College Read on Patch

• If anyone is looking for their German Shepherd, he’s circling my house on S Aldine for the past hour and a half.
  Can’t get close, can’t let him inside because of other pets. (Nextdoor Eagle/Burnidge Park/Valley Creek)
• Pretty night as the colors changed.
  Second picture was about 15 minutes after the first. Nature has a marvelous pallete. (Nextdoor Cobblers Crossing)

• Merry Maids posted a job opening for House Cleaner in Elgin. Apply here.
• Illinois School District U-46 posted a job opening for Long Term Substitute - Teacher Kindergarten DL in Elgin. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Elgin here.

🗞 Nearby News

South Elgin

• Ask an Angel: December 18, 2025 (mysundaynews.com)
• Boys basketball: Stevenson stymies South Elgin (dailyherald.com)

Carpentersville

• Illinois REALTORS® Supporting Carpentersville Fire Victims (illinoisrealtors.org)
• Carpentersville police chief retires Friday; deputy chief to be acting replacement (chicagotribune.com)

St. Charles

Ok Elgin! 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 dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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