Molly Morrow

Molly Morrow reports on Kane County, Indian Prairie School District 204 and other local stories for The Beacon-News. She graduated from the University of Chicago in 2024 and previously interned on the Tribune’s education desk. When she isn’t reporting, she’s probably running, looking for Chicago’s best iced latte or trying (and failing) to bake bread.

Students in Aurora walked out of school and gathered around Aurora City Hall on Feb. 13, 2026, to protest the Trump administration's ongoing mass deportation campaign. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Amid recent anti-ICE walkouts, online Aurora Public Library display looks at student protests, then and now

February 27, 2026 at 2:49 p.m.

The online display looks at protests in Aurora and across Illinois, including the recent anti-ICE student walkouts.

Volunteers bring food to a vehicle during a drive-thru event at Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry in Aurora in November. The pantry is moving its weekly drive-thru service to Saturdays beginning this weekend. (David Sharos/For The Beacon-News)

Partnering with West Aurora School District, Aurora food pantry moves drive-up service to Saturdays

February 25, 2026 at 4:14 p.m.

The food pantry is working with the school district to promote food access to families.

A voting sign is seen in Aurora in 2023. Aurora area voters will head to the polls on March 17 2026, to vote in a number of races during the primary election. (Mark Black/For The Beacon-News)

Rob Russell, Luis Santoyo compete for Republican nomination for Kane County sheriff

February 25, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

In the upcoming March 17 primary election, two candidates are facing off for the Republican nomination for Kane County sheriff - former Kane County Coroner Rob Russell and Elburn Trustee...

The Indian Prairie School District 204 board meets at the Crouse Education Center at 780 Shoreline Drive in Aurora. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Indian Prairie School District gives 2026 budget update, including slight deficit projection

February 24, 2026 at 2:49 p.m.

The district passed a roughly $455 million budget for the 2025-26 school year in September, and is currently projecting a slight deficit.

Jose Luis Zamora casts his vote on Feb. 25, 2025, at the Prisco Community Center in Aurora. Voters in the area will head to the polls again on March 17, 2026, to cast ballots in the primary election. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Amy Johnson, Salvador Rodriguez vie for Democratic nomination for Kane County sheriff

February 24, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

In the upcoming March 17 primary election, two candidates are facing off for the Democratic nomination for Kane County sheriff: current Undersheriff Amy Johnson and Salvador Rodriguez, who previously held...

A rendering shows what the proposed Residences at River Pointe development in Batavia may look like. (Jon Steven Ditter, Architect PLLC)

Proposed 72-unit affordable housing development in Batavia moving forward

February 20, 2026 at 4:12 p.m.

The Residences at River Pointe is a development proposed to be built at 400 S. River St. in Batavia, which the city says is a former limestone quarry site.

Investigation continues after man killed, teen injured in Oswego Township shooting, Sheriff’s Office says

February 19, 2026 at 2:58 p.m.

As the investigation into the incident has stretched into the week, the Kendall County Sheriff's Office has since released a person of interest from custody without charges at this time...

Children ride an e-bike on July 10, 2025, in Itasca. Batavia is looking at new regulations for e-bikes and e-scooters in the city. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Batavia City Council mulling new rules for e-bikes and e-scooters

February 19, 2026 at 1:54 p.m.

The city is looking at rules in other municipalities and state requirements in devising its own regulations for the devices.

Patti Lackman, co-president of the League of Women Voters of Central Kane County, speaks at a press conference in Batavia on Feb. 17, 2026, encouraging voters to mail their ballots for the March 17 primary election early. (Molly Morrow/The Beacon-News)

League of Women Voters of Central Kane County urges early mail-in voting amid USPS changes

February 18, 2026 at 2:50 p.m.

The organization is calling March 10 the “cut-off date” for putting ballots in the mail to ensure they are received in time.

The Kane County Board recently approved a renewal of the Kane County Sheriff’s Office’s contract with Flock Safety for its license plate reader cameras throughout the county. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Kane County Board OKs Flock license plate reader contract renewal for Sheriff’s Office

February 17, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

The annual renewal was budgeted for 2026, and comes at a cost of $72,000 annually.

All Stories