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The U.S. Court of Appeals announced its decision, rejecting a challenge by a Naperville gun shop owner who sought to overturn the gun law.

|Updated Fri, Nov 3, 2023 at 5:56 pm CT

NAPERVILLE, IL — The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit on Friday rejected a challenge by a group of plaintiffs including a Naperville gun shop owner seeking to overturn both the State of Illinois’ and The City of Naperville’s ban on high-powered assault weapons.

The court announced its decision on Friday, nearly five months after Robert Bevis and others filed suit against the City of Naperville, Police Chief Jason Arres as well as the State of Illinois and Attorney General Kwame Raoul.

Bevis, the owner of Law Guns in Naperville, argued against the bans, both of which prohibit the sale of certain assault weapons and ammunition magazines. Bevis, who has challenged both the state ban and the ordinance in Naperville banning assault weapons, has claimed consistently that the bans would do damage to his business.

The ruling also upheld the previous decisions made by federal district courts in Chicago and overturned a ruling made by a district court in Southern Illinois that found the ban unconstitutional.

“Government may punish a deliberately false fire alarm; it may condition free assembly on the issuance of a permit; it may require voters to present a valid identification card; and it may punish child abuse even if it is done in the name of religion,” Judge Diane P. Wood wrote in Friday’s decision. “The right enshrined in the Second Amendment is no different.”

Wood, who was appointed to the Appeals Court by President Bill Clinton, was joined in her decision by Judge Frank Easterbrook, who was appointed to the court by President Ronald Reagan. The dissenting vote in Friday's decision was issued by Judge Michael Brennan, who was appointed to the court by President Donald Trump and who was part of the three-judge panel that heard arguments back in June.

In response to Friday's decision, John Schmidt, a board member of the Gun Violence Prevention PAC Illinois, praised the ruling and said that the decision "means that Illinois citizens will continue to be protected against the violence of these military-style weapons."

He continued: "The Court finds that these military-style weapons are not “arms” protected by the Second Amendment because they are not weapons commonly used by civilians for self-defense. They are much more like machine guns and military-grade weaponry than they are like the many different types of firearms that are used for individual self-defense.

“And even if the weapons were within the protection of the Second Amendment, the courts find that the ban falls within the nation’s 'unbroken tradition of regulating weapons' to protect public safety."

In addition, the national group, Brady United Against Gun Violence issued a statement also praising the court's ruling. The Washington D.C.-based group previously represented The City of Naperville in challenges seeking to overturn the city's ordinance banning certain high-powered weapons.

In a statement issued Friday afternoon, the group said the Appeals Court's ruling represents an important victory for states and cities fighting to keep their residents safe.

“States and cities should have the right to stop these weapons of war from decimating our communities, and this ruling demonstrates that assault weapon bans are indeed constitutional," the statement said.

“When the victims of the Highland Park shooting were gunned down by an assault weapon, their local and state leaders took a stand to say enough is enough. The gun industry feels threatened by the groundswell of voices trying to hold them accountable, and after today, they should feel even more unsteady.”

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A Naperville mansion designed to evoke European manor homes sold for the Chicago area’s second-highest home price of the year to date.

The seven-bedroom, nearly 22,000-square-foot home on Shamrock Court sold for $7.55 million.

The only home in the Chicago area to have sold for more so far in 2024 is a Gold Coast condo that went for $9.3 million in January.

Double-digit home price growth is back Feds signal homebuyers should pay for their own agent Suddenly everybody's out looking at homes

In Naperville, the only other home on record with a higher sale price is a mansion on Van Buren Avenue that sold for a little over $8 million in November.

Credit: Jameson Sotheby's International Realty

The Shamrock Court house, completed in 2017, first hit the market in January 2021, priced at $10.5 million. The asking price hadn’t changed by January of this year, when it went under contract to the buyers, who closed their deal on Feb. 23. They paid about 72% of the asking price.

When Brenda and Tom Harter were putting the 2.5-acre property on the market three years ago, Brenda Harter said her aim with the house was to make it “fit in Europe.”

To meet that goal, Bruce George at Charles Vincent George Architects designed a turreted brick and stone manor set back from the street by a vast lawn, with an old-time motor court that cars drive under a wrought iron arch to enter, as if they’ve motored up from London to an estate in the English countryside.

Inside are a great room with a 30-foot ceiling and a stone chimney just as tall, details in wrought iron, leaded glass and cut stone made by local experts in their crafts, and a basement that includes a fully outfitted pub, wine-tasting and billiards rooms, and a movie theater that seats 18.

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An interior designer, Brenda Harter picked chandeliers, wood panels and even the slates that tile the home’s vast roof.

Credit: Jameson Sotheby's International Realty

“They didn’t miss a beat. They thought about every detail, ” said the Harters’ listing agent, Lauren Dayton of Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty. “It’s magnificent.” Dayton was the third broker to represent the property.

The buyers are not yet identified in public records. Dayton said they were not represented by an agent.

Brenda Harter did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the sale. In 2021, she said she and her husband, who sold a company he started and became an investor, planned to retire to Florida. They have lived in Naperville since 1979.

If the front of the house has a relatively sober, stately look, it’s more exuberant out back around the swimming pool and terrace area, with multiple roof lines and chimneys.

A waterfall spills into the pool at one end, and at the other is a pool house with changing rooms, showers and laundry. On another side is a covered terrace with a complete kitchen and a dining area.

With this home sold, the next-highest asking price in Naperville at the moment is $6.5 million, for a piece of land on Plank Road, just under 6.9 acres with two houses on it.

Credit: Jameson Sotheby's International Realty

Credit: Jameson Sotheby's International Realty

Credit: Jameson Sotheby's International Realty

Naperville, IL, is often considered one of the best places to live in the U.S., and it’s not hard to see why. This charming western suburb of Chicago has all the hallmarks of a great community: Top-notch schools (seriously, they are among the best in Illinois), an excellent safety record (it was recently named the safest city in America) and one of the best libraries in the entire country. It can also boast a highly-rated hospital, which means you won’t typically need to head into the big city to receive an excellent standard of care.

But what makes Naperville stand out from the rest of the small towns and suburbs around the country is its commitment to community and voluntarism. In fact, one of the most beloved areas of Naperville — the Riverwalk, which is about a 2-mile stretch of gorgeous trails and event spaces alongside the DuPage River — was actually developed by volunteers. Various community get-togethers and festivals, like farmers markets and concerts, keep residents connected. In addition, the city of just under 150,000 is the perfect mix of big-city attractions and small-town magic, and the cost of living is lower than the neighboring Windy City.

Getting around is easy. Naperville residents have access to both a bus service and commuter rails. In addition, O’Hare International, Midway International, DuPage and Aurora Municipal airports are all reasonably close by if your travels take you further from home.

How We Calculate Our Data

Naperville ranks highest for health, safety and education.

Weather and Outdoor Activities in Naperville, IL

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The Local and State Economy in Naperville, IL

Top-notch schools, an excellent safety record and ease of getting around contribute to Naperville’s inclusion as a best place to live in the U.S. Read more about what makes Naperville special and also consider other communities near Chicago. Another moving resource: The Ultimate Guide To Finding Your Best Place To Live.

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (WLS) -- It was a powerful and heartfelt sendoff for a restaurant with a purpose.

The driving force is to give people with developmental disabilities a place to learn and grow. Dozens said goodbye to Chez Francois Poutinerie in Naperville on Friday, but while the doors are closing, the women behind the restaurant and partner nonprofit said their mission is moving forward.

It's been one year since Chez Francois Poutinerie opened its doors to adults with developmental disabilities to gather, learn, make food and work in a professional environment.

On Friday, it is closing its doors for good.

"To be honest with you, it's kind of sad," said Clayton McGill.

Andrew MacLennen gave owner Thi Tram Nguyen a card to "say thank you for what she does for everybody."

McGill was a trainee at Chez Francois before it had to close.

"When it comes to special needs employment, this is the place," McGill said.

Nguyen, who said she emigrated to the U.S. from Vietnam near the end of the war, named the restaurant after her son, Francois, who has autism. She started it to provide a safe space and train adults with developmental disabilities.

"The community, friends, family, they all came to say goodbye and they all came to say how much we brought to the community and, it's been wonderful," Nguyen said.

After a year of on-the-job training, opening the restaurant to the public and advocacy organizations for food and fellowship, she said they were forced to close.

"We didn't have the money enough to pay for the rent," Nguyen said.

But, Nguyen and Friends of Francois President Lauren Longo said their mission is far from over with a new resource website.

"There, you can go on, and we are posting different organizations that have reached out to us, job fairs work force," Longo said.

They're looking to partner with other organizations for hiring and training.

"It was a work of love. So, when you work of love, you try to do everything so they succeed," Nguyen said.

So, while this may be a door closing, another is opening. The new owner is keeping the employees with disabilities who already worked at the restaurant.

Click here for more information.

Above / And what to my wondering eyes should appear? See it to believe it during Naperville Trolley tours… Trolley-la-la-la La-la-la-la! Watch Santa Claus waving from the second story window at the “Believe” house, located on the corner of Williamsburg and Vicksburg in Hobson West.

Thanks to everyone who contributes to our city’s grand illumination N.E.W.S. and all the happenings in downtown Naperville! Ding! Ding! Thanks, also, for all the minimalist decorators! All season’s greetings are appreciated. —PN

Keeping track of Santa and his many helpers in Naperville is a challenge. He’s everywhere! He’s everywhere! In fact, even before Positively Naperville was launched in September 2001, we’d been collecting photos of that jolly big elf in the bright red suit. Our most recent Santa photo was after a Naperville Trolley Holiday Tour hosted by the Rotary Club of Naperville/Downtown on Dec. 6, 2023.

But first, before we get ahead of ourselves, we’re hopeful families, friends and neighbors gather together to celebrate the wonders of the season with an attitude of gratitude and hope for peace.

Special thanks to everyone who works during the holidays, especially on Christmas Day, so folks can travel safely to share the spirit of the season.

Beginning in 2003, Jolly Old St. Nicholas officially arrived in this City along the DuPage River at the end of the Little Friends Hometown Holidays Parade on the Sunday afternoon after Thanksgiving. These days, the community event is known as the Holiday Parade of Lights and it’s held on the Friday evening after Thanksgiving.

Yet, even dating back to 1831, well-behaved children of early settlers waited with anticipation for Father Christmas to find them with good cheer by Christmas morning. Ho. Ho. Ho.

Click here for the Photo Gallery of the wondrous 2023 Holiday Concert held this year on Dec. 10 at Neuqua Valley High School, located on 95th Street.

What’s more, whether at the Santa House along the Riverwalk, Santa Breakfasts, holiday parades, Toys for Tots collection parties, mansion tours at Naper Settlement, complimentary photo sessions at local businesses or bell ringing for the Salvation Army, jolly old St. Nick has made the rounds in Naperville for years. And he’s always shining in the spotlight, eager to pose for pictures with the young at heart!

With the legendary spirit of St. Nicholas living deep our hearts, this post includes a few of Santa’s helpers PN caught on 35mm film years ago and more recently on digital.

This small sampling of PN’s collection of Santa’s helpers, in no particular order, is just another example of folks you might know creating simple joys. Thanks to all who share the giving spirit from one season to the next. God bless us every one.

“It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmastime.”

—Charles Dickens

In 2014, NaperLights moved to Naper Settlement. Then a few years ago, the bright lights inspired by Rotary/Sunrise began shining along Water Street. Santa is expected in the big red chair on Fri., Dec. 23, 2023, for last-minute gift requests.

For 2023, Chanukah (used interchangeably with Hanukkah) began on Dec. 7 for eight days, ending in the evening of Dec. 15, 2023. Christmas Day, commemorating a Christian festival that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, is Dec. 25.

Spread light just after dark at 4:30PM Wed., Dec. 13, during a car parade that will begin at the Abrams Center for Jewish Life, 651 Amersale Drive. Then head to Nichols Library, 130 Webster Street, for an indoor reception with refreshments. At 6PM, a giant menorah will be lighted at the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Webster Street, in front to Nichols Library. Mayor Scott Wehrli will present a brief message.