STUDENT-BACKED BEE BILL SIGNED INTO LAW
Gov. JB Pritzker has signed a bill naming the black-and-gold bumblebee as the official Illinois state bee following a year of advocacy by students from Lincoln Junior High School in Naperville.
Last year students in Barbara Bell’s eighth-grade science class researched bee species native to Illinois, designed presentations distributed to schools across Illinois, organized a statewide student vote and testified in committee, a news release from the governor’s office said.
Because of their efforts, House Bill 4438 was passed. Its primary sponsors included state Rep. Janet Yang Rohr and state Sen. Laura Ellman, both Naperville Democrats.
Also known as Bombus auricomus, the black-and-gold bumblebee is native to North America and builds below ground nests in the grasslands of Illinois. It uses its fuzzy exterior to collect nectar and pollen and keeps prairie ecosystems vibrant and healthy, the release said.
“The students at Lincoln Junior High School recognized the impact the black-and-gold bumblebee has on our state’s natural environment, a source of great pride to all who call Illinois home,” Pritzker said in a statement. “They demonstrated the power of young people brought together by curiosity and civic engagement, and in doing so, left their mark on our state.”
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JUNIOR GOLF TOURNEY WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Golfers from Naperville were among the winners of the 2026 Naperville Junior Amateur Championship held Monday, July 6, at the Naperbrook Golf Course.
The golfers, who ranged in age from 9 to 17, were divided into groups based on age and gender. Those 14 to 17 played 18 holes while 11- to 13-year-olds played nine holes and ages 9 and 10 played six holes.
Chase Buettner, of Bolingbrook, was the winner for boys ages 16 and 17. He had a score of 74, two over par, just beating out Naperville native Logan Shapiro, Naperville Park District said in a news release.
Suchen Liu, of Naperville, was the winner for girls ages 16 and 17 with a score of 85, six shots better than the second-place golfer.
In the 14- and 15-year-old boys division, Landon Hale, of Naperville, won in a playoff with a score of 77, and Elina Haines, of Naperville, was the girls winner with a score of 83.
Among children 11 to 13, Julian Perez, of Naperville, was the boys winner with a score of 43 and Avya Nanda, of Naperville, was the girls winner with a score of 48, the release said.
Naperville resident Elijah Dunne earned a score of 29 in a putt-off, making him the winner of the boys ages 9 to 10. For 9 and 10 year old girls, Katherine Connell, of Naperville, was the winner with a score of 32.