Tess Kenny

Tess Kenny is a general assignment reporter for the Naperville Sun. Kenny grew up in California's Bay Area. She attended UC Santa Barbara. When she isn't reporting, Kenny loves to crochet, read and play with her cat.

Naperville's safe, livable. An ideal spot for someone seeking to indulge in a good, old-fashioned suburban lifestyle. Where gardening in your birthday suit may not be so out there.

Or so say some of the best-of lists the city has found itself on in recent weeks.

Naperville Sun |
Naperville’s a safe, livable, ‘white picket fence’ city — and good for naked gardening too, newest best-of lists say

May 21, 2024 at 1:37 p.m.

Naperville's safe, livable. An ideal spot for someone seeking to indulge in a good, old-fashioned suburban lifestyle. Where gardening in your birthday suit may not be so out there. Or...

Naperville has been Ryan’s home for the past 19 years. He’s lived in a few different houses, at first with just his wife and now with their two teenagers.

A gradual hike in his annual property tax bill is something Ryan has grown used to, he said this week, asking that his last name not be used. But when he opened this year’s bill, Ryan was taken aback.

For the 2023 tax year, Ryan owed $22,374.60. That’s $4,313,28 more than the year prior’s total of $18,061.32 — or a jump of nearly 24%.

Naperville Sun |
No matter where you live in Naperville, your property tax bill probably went up by a lot this year — here’s why

May 18, 2024 at 12:40 p.m.

Naperville has been Ryan’s home for the past 19 years. He’s lived in a few different houses, at first with just his wife and now with their two teenagers. A...

Staff from Naperville’s Public Works, and Transportation, Engineering and Development departments put their heads together and realized they had an idea that could offer a solution: Build a berm.

Naperville Sun |
Berm installed at Naperville family’s backyard to keep vehicles from crashing into it: ‘I’m not worried anymore’

May 18, 2024 at 2:48 p.m.

Staff from Naperville’s Public Works, and Transportation, Engineering and Development departments put their heads together and realized they had an idea that could offer a solution: Build a berm.

Naperville Sun |
International jewelry brand, national pet store chain, new Lou Malnati’s patio dining coming to Naperville

May 15, 2024 at 11:45 p.m.

Take a gander around Naperville and you might see a new marquee or two in town, as is often the case these days. Ever-teeming with business updates, the latest wave...

The city of Naperville's annual revenue stream could take a $5 million hit if the state’s 1% sales tax on groceries is eliminated, a move Gov. J.B. Pritzker has proposed as part of his 2025 fiscal year spending plan.

Naperville Sun |
Naperville facing $5M budget hole if governor’s proposal to nix grocery tax gets approved

May 10, 2024 at 3:24 p.m.

The city of Naperville's annual revenue stream could take a $5 million hit if the state’s 1% sales tax on groceries is eliminated, a move Gov. J.B. Pritzker has proposed...

Naperville plans to expend $423,600 to repair three downtown fountains -- Memories, Dandelion and Horse Trough -- despite some elected officials taking issue with the price tag.

Naperville Sun |
Three downtown Naperville fountains to be repaired, updated to the tune of $423,000

May 9, 2024 at 12:25 p.m.

Naperville plans to expend $423,600 to repair three downtown fountains -- Memories, Dandelion and Horse Trough -- despite some elected officials taking issue with the price tag.

For the 18th time in half as many months, police have arrested a person on firearm-related charges at the Naperville Topgolf parking lot.

Naperville Sun |
Gun arrest No. 18 since August made at Naperville Topgolf parking lot

May 8, 2024 at 11:43 a.m.

For the 18th time in half as many months, police have arrested a person on firearm-related charges at the Naperville Topgolf parking lot.

Sure, flowers and homemade cards are the obvious, maybe even quintessential strategies for celebrating Mother’s Day.

But one local startup is helping Chicago-area communities ring in the holiday — or any day of your choosing — with something a little extra.

This weekend, Chicago-based Do-Rite Donuts, Vanille Patisserie and Bittersweet Pastry Shop will all be offering Mother’s Day specials to Naperville and other suburbs thanks to a small, but far-reaching venture known as DwellSocial.

Naperville Sun |
Want a meal from Happy Lobster or Pequod’s Pizza or some other Chicago restaurant? DwellSocial answers the call

May 8, 2024 at 9:33 a.m.

Sure, flowers and homemade cards are the obvious, maybe even quintessential strategies for celebrating Mother’s Day. But one local startup is helping Chicago-area communities ring in the holiday — or...

Naperville Sun |
Naperville staff to restart search for employee DEI training services

May 7, 2024 at 11:17 a.m.

City staff are restarting their search for a diversity, equity and inclusion trainer for employees after some Naperville City Council members raised questions about contract terms presented earlier this spring....

Sixteen years ago, Gunnar Hotchkin lived in Naperville with his wife and their three children. He was a home builder, working to support his young family. But then the 2008 recession hit, and Gunnar was left without a job.

Needing employment — and finding it difficult to find any — he went into the Army.

Gunnar died the year after he joined, in June 2010.

But he lives on in Naperville. And he’s still giving himself to the community.

Naperville Sun |
Garden beds honoring fallen service members, first responders to be dedicated at Naper Settlement

May 8, 2024 at 9:25 a.m.

Sixteen years ago, Gunnar Hotchkin lived in Naperville with his wife and their three children. He was a home builder, working to support his young family. But then the 2008...

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