🌱 Patch AM: Why were federal agents using chemical irritants in an Elgin neighborhood?

What's up Elgin! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Why were federal agents using chemical irritants in an Elgin neighborhood?
• How a Larkin transfer is transforming St. Edward’s season in Elgin
• How an Elgin student helped change overdose response in Illinois libraries

Also on today's calendar: A Collector's Dream Auction - General Antiques - ONLINE ONLY and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Mostly cloudy and very cold, with a high of 25 and low of 17 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Friday: Cloudy, flurries; very cold, temps: high: 26, low: -1.
• Saturday: Frigid with snow and flurries, with a high of 6 and low of -8 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. 'Chemical Irritants' Used By Federal Agents, 7 Receive Medical Care: Police (patch.com) — Elgin police and firefighters treated seven people after federal agents used “chemical irritants” during enforcement activity near Maple Lane, prompting about 30 calls to 911 on Saturday. Officers repeatedly encountered federal agents but emphasized they are barred by the Illinois Trust Act from assisting with federal immigration enforcement, and say they’ll keep responding to residents’ calls in the area.
   

2. Larkin transfer Sanaii McPherson returns from knee injury while settling in at St. Edward. ‘A natural leader.' (chicagotribune.com) — St. Edward senior guard and Larkin transfer Sanaii McPherson is back from a knee injury and already leading the Green Wave in Elgin, scoring 15 points in an 80-14 conference-opening win over Chicago Christian. She’s quickly meshing with longtime friends and teammates, giving St. Edward added depth and leadership for a promising season.
   

3. Illinois public libraries authorized to administer opioid overdose reversal drugs - KBSI FOX23 News Cape Girardeau News (kbsi23.com) — Illinois public libraries will soon be allowed to stock and administer opioid overdose reversal drugs like naloxone under a new statewide standing order, and an Elgin high school student helped inspire the legislation. Starting January 1, 2026, trained staff at many libraries will be required or permitted to keep these medications on hand, potentially offering another safety net for Elgin residents who visit libraries across the state.
   

4. Feds accuse man detained in Elgin of gang ties, slamming into officer's car (fox32chicago.com) — Federal immigration officers detained a man in Elgin after an hours-long standoff in which authorities say he rammed an agent’s car into a tree and later barricaded himself in an apartment. Elgin police and federal officials offer sharply different accounts of how the tense crowd outside was handled, and local officers stress they must follow Illinois’ limits on assisting immigration enforcement.
   

📸 Around Elgin

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Elgin

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Thursday December 11

• A Collector's Dream Auction - General Antiques - ONLINE ONLY
  Donley Auctions, 8512 S Union Rd, Union
  9:00 am

Saturday December 13

• Guns! Accessories! and Ammo! Auction!
  Donley Auctions, 8512 S Union Rd, Union
  10:00 am
• Merry Moments at Algonquin Commons
  Algonquin Commons, 1900 S Randall Rd, Algonquin
  11:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Thursday December 11

• Retirement Strategies
  Main Library - Elgin Room
  6:30 pm
• MS Word Series
  Main Library - Computer Training Room
  7:00 pm

Friday December 12

• Dinosaur Explorer Exhibit
  Main Library -
  9:00 am
• Crisis Management 1 Day Workshop | Elgin, IL
  Training Institute of Elgin , 620 Wing St #9 , Elgin
  9:00 am

Saturday December 13

• Dinosaur Explorer Exhibit
  Main Library -
  9:00 am
• French Conversation Group
  Main Library - Grove Room
  10:30 am
• Three Bees at Elgin Holly Days Market
  Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley , 56 S Grove Ave , Elgin
  12:00 pm

Tuesday December 16

• Take a Bough Creative Morning
  Oak Crest Residence & Atrium Apartments , 204 S State St , Elgin
  10:30 am

Friday December 19

• Free Holiday Gift Wrapping at Algonquin Commons
  Algonquin Commons , 1900 S Randall Rd , Algonquin
  9:00 am

📣 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!

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

• Reposting from Ring-
  This sweet Dark grey kitty was found on plato road. Very hungry and super sweet! He does not have a chip . Does anyone recognize him? https:/… (Nextdoor Providence)
• Please share & repost to help reunite this stray cat!
  FOUND on December 8, 2025 in Plato Center, IL 60124 near Plato road elgin i Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the… (Nextdoor Providence)

• Illinois School District U-46 posted a job opening for Teacher BIL CC(0.8 Honors Spanish Lang Arts/ 0.2 LatinX) in Elgin. Apply here.
• Diocese of Rockford posted a job opening for Teacher - Music in Elgin. 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 could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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