Waubonsee Community College, in partnership with Ladder Up, will provide free tax preparation services at the college’s downtown Aurora campus at 18 S. River St. beginning later this month.
The services will be available to the community from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, Jan. 31 through April 11, according to a press release from the college.
Services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis only, and the site will close when capacity is reached, according to the release.
Trained volunteer tax preparers will be on-site to prepare and electronically file federal and state income tax returns at no cost, officials said. These walk-in sessions will be available to households earning up to $40,000 or individuals earning up to $30,000.
To check eligibility requirements and review the list of documents to bring, go to goladderup.org.
Ladder Up is a non-profit organization committed to providing low-income families with the financial tools and resources necessary to achieve economic stability, the release said.
Risks of lead exposure topic of webinar
The Kane County Health Department will host a free public webinar called “What Families Need to Know About Lead Poisoning” at 10 a.m. on Feb. 19, the department said in a press release.
The webinar is designed to help families and caregivers understand the risks of lead exposure and learn practical steps to protect young children and expectant parents, the release said.
In 2025, there were 121 confirmed cases of lead poisoning in children in Kane County, according to the release.
Lead is a toxic metal that can be hard to see but is extremely harmful, officials said in the release. There is no safe level of lead exposure, and even small amounts can cause long-term harm.
Exposure to lead can cause lasting problems with a child’s growth, learning and behavior, according to the release. During pregnancy, lead exposure can also pass to the baby and affect development before birth, officials said.
The webinar is intended for parents and caregivers of infants and young children, expectant parents, child care providers, early childhood educators, home visitors and anyone who works with or cares for young children in Kane County, the release said. Spanish interpretation will be available.
The webinar is free, but advance registration is required. To register, go to https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/iqwcuGbKS7-Gmgc69uwmmA#/registration
Program to discuss ‘Secrets of the Wine World’
Sommelier Timothy Campbell will discuss “Secrets of the Wine World” at a program at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, at the St. Charles Public Library, 1 S. Sixth Ave. in St. Charles.
The program will be an exploration of the history of wine and recent changes in the world of wine, library officials said. This is a lecture only, and no samples will be served.
Attendees will learn about winemaking techniques and styles, from classic regions to emerging hot spots, and discover the rise of artisanal producers, event organizers said. The program also covers how to identify common wine faults, how to pair wine with any type of food and how climate change and globalization are influencing today’s wine industry.
To register for the event, go to scpld.org or call 630-584-0076.
Mental health first aid training offered in Kane County
The Kane County Health Department is working with Family Service Association of Greater Elgin to offer mental health first aid training in Kane County.
Kane provided a federally-funded grant of $75,000 to to Family Service Association to provide initial training to 15 trainees, who in turn will offer low-cost training to other community members throughout 2026, according to a news release.
The goal is to have 2,000 county residents trained using an evidence-based, early intervention approach. Participants will be taught how to identify and respond to signs of mental illnesses or substance use disorders and will learn risk factors and warning signs.
Organizations, businesses and individuals interested in being trained in mental health first aid should contact Ashley Kellenberger at AKellenberger@fsaelgin.org or 847-695-3680.
