NEWSLETTER
u SUMMER 2025 u
Business & Industry United For A Better Community
Kevin Leighty highlights Oswego’s economic development
Oswegoland Park District celebrates its past and future
Freddie’s Off the Chain grows from food truck to restaurant
By Patricia M. Szpekowski
It’s all about the chrome, the classics and the community as the summer Cruise Nights bring life to downtown Oswego. Brought to you by the Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce, make sure you mark your calendars today so you won’t miss the laid-back, casual family fun.
The Cruise Nights will take place on June 18, July 16, August 20 and September 17 from 5-8 p.m. at Byline Bank of Oswego at 10 South Madison St.
“It’s the third year for our Cruise Nights,” said Tom Leverich of Hometowne Insurance Services, Inc., who serves as volunteer coordinator of the event. “The best thing about the Cruise Nights is that
they are local and in town with great cars and great people. Last year we had over 100 cars and this year we expect about 200-plus.”
The success of Cruise Nights is due in no small part to the unwavering support of local businesses and sponsors who believe in the power of community. Leverich adds that the sponsors serve as volunteers for the shows, too. This year’s Cruise Night sponsors include: Andersen Plumbing and Heating; Byline Bank of Oswego; Garage Kings Geneva/Oswego; Hennessy’s River View FORD; Hometowne Insurance Services, Inc.; and music provided by Carousel Sound Company.
These special Summer Cruise Car Shows, held on the third Wednesday evening of the month, bring downtown alive with the sights, sounds, and scents of summer. Included will be some food vendors. So get ready to see the classic vintage vehicles. Each has its own story with many lovingly restored by the local owners. Enjoy downtown Oswego, too, while you are there. Visit the boutiques and restaurants and stroll the streets for good old-fashioned summer fun.
“In addition to all of the car show excitement,” notes Leverich, “this is a great way to show off our special downtown Oswego.”
Dear Community Members,
We hope this letter finds you well. We are reaching out to provide an important update regarding the continued growth and service demands of the Oswego Fire Protection District (OFPD).
Over the past year, our department has seen an increase in call volume, reaching almost 7,000 incidents. This is a significant rise, highlighting the expanding needs of our community. We are a Fire Protection District. Our coverage area includes Oswego, portions of Montgomery, Plainfield, Yorkville, and areas within unincorporated Kendall and Will Counties. We remain committed to providing timely and effective services to all residents and businesses within these regions.
The demand for fire, rescue, emergency medical services, and other critical responses continue to grow. This surge in call volume is a direct reflection of both our expanding population and the complexities of modern-day emergencies. Despite these challenges, our dedicated firefighters and paramedics continue to provide high-quality service, and we are actively working to ensure we are prepared to meet these rising demands.
To better serve you, we are making continuous improvements to our operations, staffing, and equipment. Our goal is to maintain efficient response time while ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents. We also encourage community members to take advantage of our prevention programs, educational resources, and safety initiatives. We greatly appreciate your support and trust in us, and we thank you for being an integral part of this community. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about how we’re adapting to these challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we can continue to build a safer, stronger community.
Thank you for your continued partnership.
Sincerely,
The Oswego Fire Protection District www.oswegofire.com
Welcome to the summer newsletter from the Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to be an active and thriving organization dedicated to supporting our local business community. Through the promotion of our members’ products and services and by providing valuable opportunities for networking and collaboration, we aim to strengthen connections within the community and among like-minded businesses.
We are excited to announce the launch of our new B2B Roundtable Group, designed specifically to support our commercial and industrial members through peer engagement and shared resources.
Join us at PrairieFest on Father’s Day weekend! We’ll be present Thursday evening, all day Friday and Saturday, and we’ll be participating in the annual parade on Sunday. Be sure to stop by and say hello!
While summer is here, our networking opportunities continue in full swing. We have a variety of exciting events and projects planned throughout the summer and into
ANGIE HIBBEN President/CEO Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce
the fall. Don’t miss our Cruise Nights at Byline Bank (10 S. Madison St.) on the third Wednesday of June, July, August and September from 5–8 p.m. You can find more information about this event later in the newsletter.
We are currently seeking new sponsors for our Annual Fraidycat Races, held the last Sunday before Halloween. Following the loss of our longtime naming sponsor, we are looking for local businesses to partner with us in continuing this popular event. Sponsorship opportunities are available at the $250, $500 and $1,000 levels. If you’re interested in supporting this event, please contact the Chamber for more details. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the race, and our commemorative full-color shirts look fantastic!
Our Chamber is home to an incredible variety of businesses, from small nonprofit organizations to major employers such as hospitals and school districts. Oswego is a vibrant community — a wonderful place to live, work and play. We encourage you to explore our website when searching for local products and services. While you’re at it, take time to visit our beautiful and historic downtown area and discover the many great restaurants and shops that make Oswego so special.
Welcome to summer in Oswego! I am delighted to share the significant advancements our business community has made, and I’m proud that Oswego continues to thrive as a hub of innovation, entrepreneurship, and community engagement.
As I write this, I’ve just returned from the annual ICSC conference, where I led the Oswego delegation as we met with retail developers, national brands, and commercial brokers to advocate for Oswego and attract capital investment into our community. The message we heard from them was as clear as it was unanimous: businesses want to be in Oswego, and that interest is translating into real results right here at home.
In the past few months, we have seen new businesses open their doors. For example, Daiso, a Japanese global retail chain, opened a new 9,700 SF store at 3040 Route 34 recently. Bibibop Asian Grill and Sherwin-Williams opened on Rt 34; Starbuck’s and Valvoline opened on Orchard Rd; Freddie’s Off The Chain Mexican restaurant at 11 S. Madison St in downtown Oswego.
Looking ahead, several exciting projects are on the horizon, like Nori Sushi: A new Japanese-inspired restaurant is set to open in the Gerry Centennial Plaza near Starbucks in mid-2025; Candy Cloud, a specialty café, serving boba tea and blended drinks, is expected to open in mid-2025 in the multi-tenant shopping center between Chili’s and IHOP; Skechers plans to open a store in the former Petco space at 3066 Route 34 by mid-to-late 2025; HomeGoods is poised to transform the former Lowe’s garden center next to Hobby Lobby into a store, with a projected opening in early 2026; The Village Board approved a 12,500-square-foot
specialty grocery store at the intersection of Route 34 and Kendall Point Drive, adjacent to Delta Sonic.
Additionally, work has begun on the Reserve at Hudson Crossing II, a development that will add 104 residential units and 123 much-needed public parking spaces in our downtown.
On a different note, as work continues on the widening of Wolf’s Crossing, one of the concerns I hear most from residents is about the loss of trees along the corridor. I want you to know that I share this concern deeply. My pledge to you is that the Village will plant twice as many trees as were removed. My broader goal is to increase the number of trees throughout our Village and ensure that Oswego remains a green community. Protecting and enhancing our environment remains one of my highest priorities.
While environmental stewardship remains a priority, so does building a strong local economy. As Village President, I’m committed to fostering a business-friendly environment where entrepreneurs can thrive. Our local businesses are the backbone of Oswego, and I’m proud to support their continued success. Thank you for your dedication to our village’s growth and prosperity. Together, we’re creating a stronger, more vibrant community — one investment, one partnership, and one opportunity at a time.
Sincerely,
Ryan Kauffman Oswego Village President
Welcome to Oswego, where every day brings new opportunities and experiences! Whether you’re a business owner, longtime resident or new to our growing community, we’re thrilled to have you as part of our thriving town.
In Oswego, 2025 continues to be a bountiful year for residents and businesses alike. Our community’s population has maintained its steady growth, which has helped drive economic development. According to recently updated U.S. Census estimates, Oswego’s population is now up to 38,778 residents, which represents a 12% increase, or nearly 4,200 people, since the 2020 Census.
This substantial growth, which is expected to continue through the next Census in 2030, has helped serve as a catalyst for several new commercial development projects. In addition to the many new businesses that opened in 2024, Oswego has welcomed several more businesses so far in 2025.
Along Route 34, Daiso USA and School of Rock opened new stores while both Starbucks and Valvoline finished construction on two brand new buildings over on Orchard Road and opened earlier this year. Meanwhile in Downtown Oswego, long-waited Mexican-style restaurant Freddie’s Off the Chain hosted a grand opening for the ages in April at 11 S. Madison Street. The future remains just as bright with several additional businesses expected to open later in 2025 and beyond. Candy Cloud, Nori Sushi, and Skechers are all expected to be open before the end of the year on Route 34. Two more exciting projects in HomeGoods and a specialty grocery store (tenant TBA), are anticipated to start construction in 2025 ahead of possible 2026 grand openings.
Over on Orchard Road, Gas N Wash has been making extensive progress on its brand-new fueling station development which will also feature two new quick service restaurants tenants with Scooter’s and Woodie’s Wings. The project is expected to be completed later in 2025.
Further north on Orchard, The Breybourne Cricket Club is still expected to begin construction on the first phase of its 24,000seat stadium project now that it has received clearance from the EPA. The first phase includes the construction of the pitch and wicket along with underground drainage work which could start as early as mid-to-late 2025.
In Downtown Oswego, additional residential development will soon be coming to support our downtown-area businesses. The Shodeen Group is under construction on a new luxury multi-family residential building north of its previous mixeduse project at 77 S. Adams Street. Once completed, the development will feature 104 residential units along with a 123-space public parking deck. Construction is ongoing and expected to be completed sometime in Fall 2026.
On the outskirts of the downtown area, Dunkin’ was approved to build an 800 SF drive-through coffee shop at the intersection of Route 71 and Washington Street. They recently closed on the properties and are expected to start construction in mid-to-late 2025 with the hopes of opening in early 2026.
To better assist our small businesses in town, the Village has also recently launched a new program aimed at offering a more personalized approach to the development review and permitting processes. This initiative, aptly named “Business Concierge”, assists new and existing businesses to open quickly by providing individualized support from representatives of the Village’s Development Services and Economic Development departments. This is a free service offered to any new or existing business located in the municipal boundaries of Oswego.
As the Economic Development Director for Oswego, I invite you to contact me anytime should you have any questions about new or incoming commercial projects or if you’re interested in starting or expanding a business in town. I’m always available to help and can be reached at 630-551-2334 or kleighty@oswegoil.org.
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By Patricia M. Szpekowski
The celebrations have already begun for the Oswegoland Park District as it honors its past, present and future.
Established by voter referendum in 1950, the Oswegoland Park District began serving local residents through parks and recreation.
“Today, the district serves a growing population of over 65,000 across a
38-square-mile area, including portions of Oswego, Montgomery, Aurora and Plainfield,” says Thomas K. Betsinger, CPRE, executive director. “The district offers more than 2,500 programs each year and serves over 22,000 participants annually.”
The Park District launched its anniversary festivities with a 75th Anniversary Run Challenge, encouraging residents to complete 75 miles in 75 days from March 1 to May 15. Finishers received a
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The celebration continues at PrairieFest, the annual community festival taking place June 12–15. With a lineup of national and local acts, this year’s main stage will feature The Prince Experience, American English, Conjunto Atardecer, Runaway June and Plain White T’s. Sunday’s PrairieFest Parade will honor the anniversary with a 1950s theme: “Oswegoland: A ’50s Celebration.”
Beginning July 3, the Little White School Museum will showcase a special 75th Anniversary Exhibit exploring the Park District’s history through photographs, documents and memorabilia. The exhibit runs through Oct. 11 and is open during regular museum hours.
The celebration culminates with a free Community Concert in the Park at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at Hudson Crossing Park. Guests are encouraged to pack a picnic
and enjoy an evening of music performed by the Aurora American Legion Band.
The Oswegoland Park District is proud of its growth and benefits to the community. The district maintains 66 parks, greenways and natural areas totaling more than 1,300 acres. The first park, SuzanJohn, was developed by Boulder Hill developer Don L. Dise. Since then, the district has expanded its offerings to include 38 playgrounds, 33 picnic shelters, 10 ball fields, eight tennis courts, 11 pickleball courts, three inline hockey rinks, seven sand volleyball courts, 32 basketball courts (full and half), a skate park, splash pad, multiple soccer fields and over 20 miles of trails.
In 1968, voters approved funding for a community center, and the Civic Center and its pool opened in 1969. A second aquatic facility, Winrock Pool, opened in 1975. Both pools have been updated, with renovations to the Civic Center Pool in 1998 and Winrock in 2013.
In addition to the Civic Center, recreational programs are held at Boulder Point and South Point. Boulder Point, a former auto dealership, was renovated in 2004 and expanded in 2021 with help from a PARC Grant. South Point, located near Southbury Elementary School, was built through an intergovernmental agreement with SD308 and opened in 2008.
The Park District became stewards of its first historic site, the Little White School Museum, in 1975. Originally leased from the school district, the building was officially transferred to the Park District in 2010.
Fox Bend Golf Course began operations under joint ownership with the Fox Valley Park District in 1980. In 2007, Oswegoland Park District assumed full ownership and has managed the course independently since.
To learn more about these events and all the Park District has to offer, visit www.oswegolandparkdistrict.org.
By Patricia M. Szpekowski
xpanding Freddie’s Off the Chain from a popular food truck to a new sit-down restaurant in downtown Oswego was an awesome task, but owner Mona Herrada was clearly up to the challenge.
This unique Mexican restaurant offers a variety of food favorites that are always freshly and lovingly prepared. Customers crave the steak, chicken and pork tacos and quesadillas; burritos; the traditional beans and rice; and the “elote” corn. A popular creation, the chile relleno tacos, offers tasty poblano peppers stuffed with three different cheeses and onion.
You can wash down your favorite meal with specialty drinks, 10 different beers on tap and more. Mona is also very proud of her homemade desserts, too, such as the tres leches cake, coconut cake and choco flan.
Mona is filled with appreciation for the Oswego community. Originally from Chicago, she is happy to be here.
“I love the people of Oswego and I can’t say enough about the wonderful Police Department,” she says.
Freddie’s is truly a family-owned and run
business. Mona’s husband, Armand, and her children are all involved, including her sons Marco Herrada and Armando Duran, general manager; daughters Adriana Herrado and Alicia Duran; and greatnephew Jonovan Hargrove.
Everything at Freddie’s is accomplished with the memory of Mona’s late eldest son, Freddie, in mind. He certainly approved of his mom’s cooking and always complimented her by saying it was “off
the chain.” (Hence the business name!)
Mona didn’t open her food truck until 2018, a year after Freddie had died. Her tasty food immediately became a big hit as fans enjoyed the quality, freshness, flavors and combinations at events like the Oswego PrairieFest summer festival and high school football games.
“Being part of Oswego is very special,” Mona says. “I enjoy having the opportunity to give back 10% to the schools, too.”
DREAMERS ACADEMY TOO
260 N. Merchants Dr., Oswego • 630-299-3381 www.dreamersacademyhome.com/dreamerstoo
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332 Ellis St., Oswego • 224-293-3126 www.lennar.com/new-homes/illinois/chicago/oswego/ hudson-pointe-ii
FREDDIE’S OFF THE CHAIN 11 S. Madison St. (Route 34), Oswego 815-260-9616 • www.facebook.com/Freddiesoffthechain
630-292-0039 • www.corerecreation.com
630-892-7304
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208 Beaver St., Yorkville 630-553-0473 • www.kccfoodpantry.org
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Janna Misek, Agent
1136 Douglas Road
Oswego, IL 60543-9040
Bus: 630-554-1540
janna@jannamisek.net
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