☀️ Good Morning!
The Chill Continues!
Good morning, DuPage! Grab a jacket today as we’re looking at a high of 48°F and a low of 30°F under those broken clouds.
📰 Top Stories
Edward Heart Hospital Expands with $29 Million Project
Endeavor Health is moving forward with a $29 million expansion of cardiovascular services at Edward Heart Hospital in Naperville after receiving approval from the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board. The project, funded through existing capital improvement budgets, aims to address a significant capacity shortage. Current operating rooms and ICU beds are functioning at 70–80% utilization, well above the 60% state standard, driven by an aging population and increasing rates of hypertension and coronary artery disease.
The first phase of this three-part expansion will be centered on the fourth floor and includes:
- Two new operating rooms (adding to the existing two).
- A new 10-bed Intensive Care Unit dedicated specifically to cardiovascular services.
- Modernized technology designed to improve patient safety and aid in the recruitment of specialized healthcare professionals during industry-wide staffing shortages.
Demolition is scheduled to begin in April 2026, with construction starting in May. The project is expected to be fully completed by the fall of 2027. Future phases of the long-term plan include adding more catheterization labs and hybrid rooms capable of switching between minimally invasive procedures and open-heart surgeries.
Jazz Ensemble and Local Students to Perform
The Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage (YJED) will host a special send-off concert on Sunday, April 26, at 4 p.m. at Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church in Huntley. The event features guest artist Derrick Gardner, a renowned jazz trumpeter who has performed with the Count Basie Orchestra and currently serves as the director of jazz studies at Northwestern University. This performance acts as a final local showcase before the ensemble travels to New York City to compete in the 31st annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition and Festival at Jazz at Lincoln Center.
The YJED is a premier group of 25 student musicians representing 15 different high schools, led by founder and director Robert Blazek. This year marks the fifth time in the ensemble's history—and the third consecutive year—that they have been selected as one of the top 20 high school jazz bands in the nation. To help manage the costs associated with the prestigious trip to the "Essentially Ellington" finals, the organization is currently seeking donations and community support through its official website.
Margarita & Sangria Festival Coming to Wheaton
The Downtown Wheaton Margarita & Sangria Festival will take place on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. This spring-themed event invites attendees to sample 10 different locally-crafted margaritas and fruity sangrias hosted at various participating businesses throughout the downtown area. To enhance the festive atmosphere, the afternoon will also feature live mariachi music, and visitors are encouraged to shop and dine at local establishments during the event.
General admission tickets are priced at $42. Participants must check in between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the “W” tent located on Front Street, next to Naperville Running Co.. All guests are required to present a valid driver's license or state ID for age verification at check-in. Once verified, attendees will receive a wristband and a punch card map indicating the 10 tasting locations. More information and tickets are available through the Downtown Wheaton Association.
⚡ Quick Hits
- 🔥 Wheaton Fire Follow-up: A major fire on Friday on the 1000 block of Briarbrook Drive has left a 30-unit apartment building uninhabitable; the community is currently organizing relief efforts for those displaced.
This story is for DuPage Daily subscribers only
Enter your email to finish reading and get the daily briefing in your inbox.
This edition was drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by a human editor. Learn more