Mold Remediation in Aurora, IL

The newest production – and it is new in every way – at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora is Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats. Director Trent Stork and a cast of 31 will leave you breathless with this new interpretation. Same story. Same songs with some new lyrics added. Same cat characters. The twist? It is set in a circus but it is a definite lean to Cirque du Soleil. This is not the Cats as was presented for the first time in London’s West End in 1981 with Elaine Paige as Grizabella and then it’s 1982 Broadway debut with Betty Buckley in that role. This new production is spectacular.

There are jugglers, a magician, a Cyr wheel (looks like a big hula hoop with a person on the inside), hanging silks and a trapeze. There is no net. There is a lot to look at and take in. Choreographer Kasey Alfonso and Circus Choreographer Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi (4 time Jeff Award winner) have combined these two elements together flawlessly. Izumi Inaba’s cat costumes are vibrant. The costumes for Grizabella (Emily Rohm) and Old Deuteronomy (Lorenzo Rush, Jr.) are the only costumes in gray. They are the elder cats.

Scenic designer Jeffrey D. Kmiec and lighting designer Greg Hofmann have transformed the Paramount stage into an eye-popping circus set. Kory Danielson conducting the Paramount orchestra fills the theater with Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s memorable score. It is a sung through musical. The story centers on Jellicle Cats waiting to find out who will be the Jellicle Choice chosen by Old Deuteronomy. It is a high honor to be chosen. The Jellicle Choice will then be able to come back again with nine more lives. All of the cats are related to Old Deuteronomy. A tough decision for him. Grizabella shows up several times. She is elderly and somewhat bitter. The cats all want to be the Choice and try to persuade Deuteronomy. In the end, he does choose Grizabella. In an amazing moment, she ascends to the Heavyside Layer and returns the same way back to the Jellicle Ball.

This is a production which needs to be seen. Words do not do it justice. This cast will amaze you. They move like cats. They even purr at times. The singing, dancing and circus movement combine in goosebumps and the holding of breath. Children will love it. T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats is brought to new heights. I think he would like this. Paramount, again, has created magic.

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Lucky Goat is an all-new Stephanie Izard burger restaurant that will feature specialty burgers, fries, milkshakes and more.

Patch Staff

|Updated Thu, May 1, 2025 at 11:00 am CT

(The following edited press release is from Jessica Gallen with Laughlin Constable Public Relations.)

AURORA, IL — Hollywood Casino Joliet and Aurora announced a partnership with McClain Camarota Hospitality to bring prominent Chicago chefs and restaurants to the all-new land-based sites in Aurora and Joliet. The new Chicagoland locations will feature the Boulevard Food & Drink Hall, a dynamic dining experience highlighted by local favorites, including an all-new burger concept from celebrity chef Stephanie Izard alongside Antique Taco and Pretty Cool Ice Cream. The Boulevard locations are designed and operated by MCH.

To celebrate, Hollywood Casino and the featured restaurants are giving away a FREE “Taste of Hollywood” on Friday, May 2 from noon – 2 p.m., while supplies last. Enjoy favorites from each location alongside opportunities to receive Hollywood Casino and Stephanie Izard merch, enter-to-win giveaways, live radio remote and more. Participating locations include:

Boulevard will be accessible to all ages at the completely reimagined casino and entertainment destinations and will feature:

“Boulevard is designed to be a lively place for customers to gather and enjoy great food and drinks,” said Greg Moore, Vice President and General Manager of Hollywood Casino Aurora. “Bringing in local establishments that our customers know and love is an excellent addition to our new best-in-class property.”

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"It's an honor to partner with Hollywood Casino to usher in a bold new era while celebrating some of the greatest culinary talents in Chicago. It’s a dream come true to return to Chicago alongside chefs Stephanie Izard, Rick Ortiz of Antique Taco and Dana Cree of Pretty Cool Ice Cream. We are thrilled to showcase iconic dishes and introduce new items at Boulevard,” said McClain.

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Mercy Medical Center in suburban Aurora has had its Level II trauma center designation revoked by the state of Illinois due to its "absence of essential services," according to the state health department.

The former Ascension hospital, now owned by California-based private equity group Prime Healthcare, was notified of the change by the Illinois Department of Health on April 20, IDPH said.

According to a revocation letter, the hospital has a lack of trauma surgeon availability, a lack of trauma coverage and has failed to comply with parts of the Illinois Emergency Services Act, the IDPH said.

Mercy Medical Center in suburban Aurora has had its Level II trauma center designation revoked by the state of Illinois due to its “absence of essential services,” according to the state health department.

"This action does not affect other services at the hospital and patients can still walk into the ER for emergency treatment," IDPH said.

Trauma care is the emergency medical treatment given to people with serious injuries, like those from car crashes, falls, or violence, IDPH said. It includes everything from the ambulance response to hospital care, surgery, and recovery, provided by specially trained teams.

Prime Healthcare acquired the hospital, along with seven other Ascension hospitals in March of 2025. In a press release at the time, Prime said it was "committing $250 million to invest in facility upgrades, capital improvements, substantial technology investments and system upgrades."

In a statement about the status loss, Prime said it was the one withdrawing the hospital's designation, saying the number of Level II trauma patients seen at the hospital has "significantly declined," and that the Level II status "does not accurately represent the emergency care needs of those patients."

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Prime added the hospital plans to continue "all other emergency care services."

In Illinois, a Level I Trauma Center provides all essential trauma services on-site and is fully staffed 24 hours a day. A Level II Trauma Center provides some essential services on-site 24/7, the state said, "while other essential services are available but may require on-call staff or transfer arrangements."

"Mercy Medical Center’s trauma designation update does not change the quality-of-care patients will continue to receive in the emergency room," Prime's statement said, adding that all current hospital services will go on "without any change or interruption."

Prime's statement also said that EMS services will direct those in need of Trauma II care to another designated trauma center, "but this represents a very small number of patients."

Still, David McCabe, Aurora's fire chief, says severely injured patients will now need to be transported to other hospitals.

Other nearby Trauma II centers, including Rush Copley Medical Center, and Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital in Geneva, are located approximately nine miles away.

In a statement sent to NBC Chicago, Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin said the change in status is "shocking." Irvin added he hopes the status is only temporary.

The move comes days after Prime, which also owns St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, said it was suspending pediatric inpatient care at that hospital due to low volume.

"Where are we supposed to go in the middle of the night if my child gets seriously sick? Naperville is almost 30 minutes away," one Joliet resident told NBC Chicago after learning the news.

In February of 2024, Vista Medical Center East, in Waukegan, lost its Level II trauma center status, though it regained the designation one month later. In recent weeks, the north suburban hospital -- owned by American Healthcare Systems, a separate California-based private equity group -- said it was temporarily cutting emergency cardiac care hours, citing a staffing shortage.

According to the company website, AHS' current CEO and Chairman, Michael Sarian, is the former president of hospital operations for Prime Healthcare.

VNA Health Care expect the new clinic to serve 17,000 patients over the next two years, officials said.

Patch Staff

AURORA, IL — VNA Health Care has opened another facility in Aurora, this time at the new Bloomhaven Campus in the former Copley Hospital building.

The new center, located at 323 Weston Ave. on Aurora's east side, was welcomed to the city with a grand opening ceremony Thursday morning. It marks VNA's fifth clinic in Aurora.

"Aurora has been VNA Health Care’s home for more than a century, and we are grateful for the opportunity to expand access to affordable health care for this community and its incredible residents. This location, at the site of the former Copley Hospital, will help us reach thousands of new patients each year," Linnea Windel, president and CEO of VNA Health Care, said in a statement.

Windel Board Chairman Gary Ahasic was joined by Congressman Bill Foster, State Senator Karina Villa, Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, community leaders and investors at the ribbon cutting.

VNA invested $8 million into the buildout of the medical center, spanning 26,000 square feet and housing more than 30 exam and procedure rooms, mental health counseling and therapy centers, a wellness classroom and a pharmacy. The site also features a kitchen and laboratory.

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The clinic offers services that are "in high demand in Aurora," including X-rays and immediate care for injuries that don't require a specialist or emergency room visits.

VNA officials expect the clinic to serve 17,000 patients over the next two years, according to a news release.

The Bloomhaven Campus transformed the vacant hospital into an "exciting new mixed-use development." The site is also home to Weston Bridges, an independent apartment community for people with disabilities; Bardwell Residences, an assisted living facility; and the central offices for East Aurora School District 131.

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Central Bark, the premier whole dog care franchise and industry pioneer, is set to open its Fox Valley location under the leadership of Mike Carter in spring of 2025. The state-of-the-art facility located Aurora, Illinois will offer dog day care, boarding services, baths, grooming, training and more. All services are grounded in Central Bark’s unique Whole Dog Care philosophy which combines industry-leading care expertise with the latest in canine behavioral science.

With an MBA in Strategy and Finance from the University of Michigan and certifications from Salesforce, Carter’s breadth of expertise in managing large teams and delivering innovative solutions positions him to foster growth and prosperity for the Central Bark franchise. He has successfully led teams in a variety of sectors including global consulting roles at Deloitte Consulting and OutSystems where he managed complex CRM solutions, digital transformations, and large-scale business initiatives.

In addition to his professional experience, Carter has been a volunteer at the Naperville Humane Society and other local shelters, providing him with the hands-on dog care experience that will be valuable as a Central Bark franchisee.

“I’ve spent much of my career improving processes, building relationships and leading teams to success. I’m excited to apply those skills to a business that combines my love for dogs with my professional experience,” said Carter. “Central Bark’s commitment to a Whole Dog Care philosophy aligns with my passion for quality service, and I’m thrilled to offer exceptional dog care to the Aurora community.”

Carter will be joined at Central Bark by his two beloved dogs, Ellie and Lily, who have inspired his decision to pursue a franchise in dog care. In his new role as the owner/operator of Central Bark, Carter will focus on enhancing operational efficiency, growing the customer base and ensuring the highest standards of care for all pets.

Carter’s commitment to the Central Bark approach of Whole Dog Care, which combines scientific methods with positive reinforcement, will guide the success of his new venture. As an actionable, results-driven leader, Carter is poised to make a lasting impact in the community by delivering exceptional service to pet parents and their furry companions.

The Naperville/Aurora Central Bark will feature almost 9,000 square feet of indoor space plus more than 3,700 square feet of outdoor play area. Activities include small flexible playgroups, group skills work, rest periods, and personalized one-on-one enrichment sessions. Enrichment add-ons give pups the extra attention they love and the freedom to use their senses, safely exploring with their instincts as they engage with interactive toys, puzzles, and games.