Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why did Palatine District 15 need a $25 million emergency loan?
You won't want to miss Willow Hill Lights - Open nightly thru Jan 4 on the Palatine Patch calendar
Hey there, Palatine! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Why did Palatine District 15 need a $25 million emergency loan?
- How did Palatine’s wrestlers fare at the historic Berman Classic?
- What crucial student services is District 15 about to lose overnight?
Also on today's calendar: Willow Hill Lights - Open nightly thru Jan 4 and 4 more events.
Find out what's happening in Palatinefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Palatinefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Tuesday: Low clouds, with a high of 47 and low of 30 degrees.
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, afternoon mist, temps: high: 46, low: 37.
- Thursday: Cloudy with areas of drizzle, with a high of 42 and low of 38 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Cook County property tax troubles trigger school district losses, reform demands (chicagotribune.com) — Palatine School District 15 has been forced to borrow $25 million because Cook County has yet to distribute this year’s property tax revenues, racking up hundreds of thousands in interest and lost investment income. The county’s delayed technology upgrade is holding up payments to schools and other taxing bodies, leaving suburban districts scrambling to cover payroll and basic operations. 
2. Boys wrestling: Rappa brothers shine for Rolling Meadows at 70th Berman Classic (dailyherald.com) — Palatine wrestling fans just saw a big day at Palatine High School, where the host Pirates finished second at the historic Berman Holiday Classic and celebrated individual titles from freshman Dunamis Philip and senior Karl Bep. Rolling Meadows twins Josh and John Rappa repeated as champions, while strong showings from Lake Zurich, Stevenson, Zion-Benton and others rounded out this long-running Illinois tournament.
3. Districts 15, 33 losing federal funding for key supplemental programs (dailyherald.com) — Families in Palatine Township Elementary District 15 face the sudden loss of a $1 million-a-year federal grant that funds after-school care, counseling, and parent programs at Lincoln and Lake Louise Elementary. The U.S. Department of Education is ending the Full-Service Community Schools grant Dec. 31, forcing Districts 15 and 33 to scramble for replacement funding while advocates appeal the decision.
4. State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Returns $100,000 in Missing Money to Illinois Food Pantries (riverbender.com) — Palatine Township is receiving $205.35 in unclaimed funds as part of a $100,000 statewide return of missing money to Illinois food pantries by Treasurer Michael Frerichs. The ICash program is sending recovered funds to dozens of nonprofits, helping them restock shelves after a tough year of federal cutbacks and higher demand.
📸 Around Palatine
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 Palatine
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
- Christmas Day (Village Offices Closed)
Palatine, IL Calendar , 200 E. Wood Street , Palatine - Day After Christmas (Village Offices Closed)
Palatine, IL Calendar , 200 E. Wood Street , Palatine - Wrap It Up | End
Rolling Meadows Library , 3110 Martin Ln , Rolling Meadows - Noon Year's Eve
Salt Creek Sports Center , 647 S Consumers Ave , Palatine
10:30 am - Teen Crafts | Snowflake sparkle
Rolling Meadows Library , 3110 Martin Ln , Rolling Meadows - New Year's Day (Village Offices Closed)
Palatine, IL Calendar , 200 E. Wood Street , Palatine
Thursday December 25
Friday December 26
Tuesday December 30
Wednesday December 31
Thursday January 1
📣 Palatine 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
- Film Screening: Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning (2025)
McKinley Park Branch Library , 1915 West 35th Street , Chicago
1:00 pm - Film Screening: Wicked (2024)
Gage Park Branch Library , 2807 West 55th Street , Chicago
2:00 pm - Tech Tuesday
Sherman Park Branch Library , 5440 South Racine Avenue , Chicago
3:00 pm - STEAM Time with Mr. Eric
Canaryville Branch Library , 642 West 43rd Street , Chicago
3:00 pm - City Hall Closed - Christmas Eve
Rolling Meadows, IL Calendar Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 - Ela Township Offices Closed in Observance of the Christmas Holiday: December 24 & 25, 2025
Ela Township , 1155 E Route 22 , Lake Zurich
Tuesday December 23
Wednesday December 24
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Starbucks posted a job opening for shift supervisor - Store# 02287, DUNDEE ROAD in Palatine. Apply here.
- Advantage Solutions posted a job opening for Retail Merchandiser in Palatine. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Palatine here.
Ok Palatine! 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 find you very attractive!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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