Naperville Sun

This black-and-white photographic print from the Naperville Heritage Society collection shows Lillian Grace Avery, a Naperville resident and the nation’s first Medicare beneficiary, signing government forms while recovering from minor surgery at Edward Hospital in Naperville on July 1, 1966. On the left is her husband, Robert, and in the center is hospital administrator Eugene Morris. President Lyndon Johnson signed the federal health insurance program for the elderly into law on July 30, 1965. An article by The Associated Press, which covered the signing event, said "Blue Cross Association Headquarters in Chicago said Mrs. Avery was the first of the 19 million persons age 65 or over in the United States to be certified as eligible for Medicare." When a reporter told her she would be the first to have her bills paid under the then-new program, she reportedly quipped, “Oh boy! Now I can go to New York and get on the television program ‘I've Got a Secret.'” (Naperville Heritage Society)

The Way We Were: Very first Medicare recipient in 1966 was a Naperville woman

January 17, 2025 at 1:34 p.m.

This black-and-white photographic print from the Naperville Heritage Society collection shows Lillian Grace Avery, a Naperville resident and the nation’s first Medicare beneficiary, signing government forms while recovering from minor...

Letters to the Editor: City must say no to extending IMEA electricity contract

January 17, 2025 at 12:58 p.m.

Letters to the editor submitted to the Naperville Sun.

High school graduates attend their commencement at the Rosemont Theatre in 2023. (Talia Sprague/For the baiduhai)

Naperville residents receive college/university degrees, named to honor rolls and dean’s lists

January 16, 2025 at 4:16 p.m.

Naperville residents have completed college/university degrees or have been named to their school’s dean’s list, honor roll or similar academic achievement list.

This matted panoramic photograph from 1900 offers a wintry view of the Pre-Emption House when it was located at Chicago Avenue and Main Street in downtown Naperville. It was taken by Naperville resident Eli Stock, who was a local businessman and amateur photographer. (Naperville Heritage Society)

The Way We Were: A look at the old Pre-Emption House on a wintry day

January 10, 2025 at 1:18 p.m.

Panoramic photograph from 1900 shows the Pre-Emption House when it was located at Chicago Avenue and Main Street in downtown Naperville.

Offensive lineman Sam Pryor stands outside North Central College's Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. Over the weekend, the Cardinals beat Mount Union 41-25 at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston to win their third national championship. (North Central College)

North Central’s victorious Cardinals celebrate NCAA football championship

January 7, 2025 at 3:02 p.m.

North Central College's championship-winning Cardinals football team returned Monday to Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium in Naperville after a decisive 41-25 victory Sunday over the University of Mount Union at the Stagg Bowl.

This beautiful winter scene from the early 1900s captures Paw Paw Post Office as it looked when it was located at the northeast corner of Webster Street and Jefferson Avenue in downtown Naperville. It's now located on the campus of Naper Settlement, moved there in 1977. According to the Naper Settlement website, the post office was actually the family home and store of carpenter and merchant Alexander H. Howard, which in addition to serving as the place where residents could pick up their mail was also a stop on the stagecoach route that ran through DuPage County and "a general meeting place for friends and fellow citizens to exchange news and gossip." (Naperville Heritage Society)

The Way We Were: Snowy winter day in Naperville in the 1900s

January 3, 2025 at 12:31 p.m.

This beautiful winter scene from the early 1900s captures Paw Paw Post Office as it looked when it was located at the northeast corner of Webster Street and Jefferson Avenue...