Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Which powerhouse spoiled Hersey’s title hopes at Elgin’s Holiday Hoops Fest?
Also check out Happy New Year's Eve! ~ Building Closed on the Elgin Patch calendar
Coffee in hand, Elgin? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Which powerhouse spoiled Hersey’s title hopes at Elgin’s Holiday Hoops Fest?
- How a local Elgin idea became a statewide lifesaving library law
- Elgin remembers former U-46 superintendent José Torres among 2025 losses
Today's riddle: The world champion tongue twister just got arrested! 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Elginfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Tuesday: A little snow in the p.m., with a high of 26 and low of 21 degrees.
- Wednesday: A little snow in the p.m., temps: high: 29, low: 5. ⛄️ Brr!
- Thursday: Sunshine and bitterly cold, with a high of 17 and low of 14 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Boys basketball: Hersey heads back to Elgin, takes second to Waukegan (dailyherald.com) — Hersey’s boys basketball team brought its winter-break schedule back to Elgin for the Holiday Hoops Fest, reaching the championship game at Chesbrough Fieldhouse. The Huskies fell 63-55 to defending champ Waukegan, taking second place and their first loss of the season. Elgin fans still saw standout performances, including a 22-point, 10-rebound night from Hersey’s Jake Nawrot. 
Find out what's happening in Elginfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
2. New law requires public libraries across Illinois to carry opioid OD reversal medication (chicagotribune.com) — A new Illinois law taking effect Jan. 1 will require every public library, including those in Elgin, to stock free opioid overdose reversal medication and have trained staff on hand. The idea came from a student whose family uses an Elgin library, working with Elgin state Rep. Anna Moeller. Local libraries won’t have to pay for the medication or training, which the state will supply.
3. Those we lost: Local leaders, former governors and a conservative activist among notable deaths of 2025 (dailyherald.com) — Elgin readers are reminded of the loss of former U-46 superintendent José Torres, who led the district for six years before moving on to head the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. This year-end remembrance also notes the passings of other influential suburban figures, from former governors to local mayors, educators, and community leaders whose work shaped towns across the region.
4. New IL law permanently legalizes to-go cocktails, aids distilleries (wcia.com) — A new Illinois law backed by State Sen. Cristina Castro of Elgin will permanently allow bars and restaurants to sell cocktails to-go and creates a new license to help craft distilleries expand. Taking effect July 1, 2026, it also removes a tax bond requirement for liquor license applicants, aiming to make it easier for local businesses to grow and hire.
📸 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!
- Happy New Year's Eve! ~ Building Closed
Elgin Calendar Elgin, IL 60120-5570 - Happy New Year! ~ Building Closed
Elgin Calendar Elgin, IL 60120-5570 - First Fridays Improv with GreenRoom Productions
Elgin Calendar , 45 Symphony Way Lower Level , Elgin
8:00 pm - Celebración de los Reyes Magos / Three Kings Celebration
Main Library - Meadows Community Rooms ABC
1:00 pm - Preschool Storytime
Main Library - Story Room - North
9:15 am - Story Mix for Birth-6
Main Library - Meadows Community Rooms ABC
10:00 am - Evening Chess Club
Main Library - 2nd Floor - Behind Elevators
5:30 pm - Planning and Zoning Commission
Elgin Calendar , 150 Dexter Court City Council Chambers, Second Floor, North Tower , Elgin
7:00 pm
Wednesday December 31
Thursday January 1
Friday January 2
Saturday January 3
Monday January 5
📣 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
- BBC Micro:bits Series for Grades: 5 & 6
South Elgin Branch - South Elgin - Shales Children's Activity Room
2:00 pm - Noon Year’s Eve Party for all ages at Adrenaline Monkey West Dundee
Adrenaline Monkey Adventure Park , 999 W Main St , West Dundee
11:00 am - New Year's Eve Celebration at Mockingbird Bar + Garden
Mockingbird Bar + Garden , 217 Barrington Ave , East Dundee
5:30 pm - Galaxy Adventures: A Sci-Fi Celebration
South Elgin Branch - South Elgin - Hoffer Meeting Room
11:00 am
Tuesday December 30
Wednesday December 31
Friday January 2
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 Elgin PatchAM possible:
- Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
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
- Does anyone have an outdoor type of warming shelter for a cat?
We have a cat that keeps coming around and we are unable to bring it in. We already have 4 cats and can’t have another one. I’m afraid it’s going to… (Nextdoor Eagle/Burnidge Park/Valley Creek) - Hello Neighbors!
I recently move into the area! I would love to offer my service! I do automotive services! From maintenance to honest inspections! Batteries, oil… (Nextdoor Parkwood Farms)
- OTTO Engineering posted a job opening for Injection Mold Maker in Carpentersville. Apply here.
- McDonald's posted a job opening for Bucciferro McDonald's Assistant Manager in Carpentersville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Elgin here.
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 hear they’re giving him a really tough sentence.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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