From Quivers to Quorums: Jaden Chada
Sunday, December 3, 2023
Sugar Grove, Illinois — A young figure, carrying the gravitas of a seasoned leader and shining brightly as a beacon of local activism, has surfaced in the close-knit community of Sugar Grove. Jaden Chada, barely 19, stands as a paragon of commitment and determination, relentlessly advocating for the welfare of his neighbors.
Born into a family that's been around these parts longer than most can remember, with ties running back three generations, Jaden's lineage is as local as the Sugar Grove Corn Boil, of which he's the recently-elected vice president for the 2024 event. Though he technically hangs his hat a stone's throw away in unincorporated Blackberry township, his spirit, his fire, and his endeavors are deeply rooted in the heart of Sugar Grove. Here, he attends Village Bible Church; it's also where his kinsfolk reside and operate small businesses.
When Jaden speaks, it's not with the brashness of youth we've come to expect, but with a wisdom that belies his years, a wisdom forged in the crucible of meticulous research and deep dives into the labyrinthine world of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and gritty meetings with the who's who of community stakeholders. His words aren't just words; they're carefully fletched arrows of truth, notched with the insight and understanding of someone who's seen the world through lenses most his age haven't even found yet.
His education, as one might expect, is also homegrown: he's a product of John Shields Elementary and Aurora Christian for middle and high school. He graduated high school with a 3.995 GPA (a 4.0 with a rounding error, if you ask us) and a Distinguished Christian High School Student Award for outstanding achievement in academics. Jaden's athletic success parallels his academic success. An accomplished competitive archer, Jaden has a quiver full of state titles and even a national championship, a source of pride for his grandfather, Jeffrey, who accompanied him to tournaments. The bond between Jaden and his grandparents is the stuff of heartwarming tales. Raised under the same roof as them, he soaked up more than just family values. He inherited a love for Montana, a vast land of open skies and untamed wilderness. Inspired by this, Jaden took to the skies, quite literally, starting lessons at Aurora Municipal Airport. His eyes were set on Montana State University, dreaming of a future in aviation, soaring above the clouds, free as a bird. But as life often does, it threw a curveball, reshaping his path in ways he never expected.
This January hit with the weight of a sledgehammer: Jeffrey was diagnosed with cancer. Jaden made the tough decision to stay put, enrolling at Aurora University and commuting so he could be there to assist in his grandfather's care. After a short-yet-valiant battle, Jeffrey passed away in late May, aged just 58. Faced with this immeasurable void, Jaden chose to stay home to support his now-widowed grandmother and to explore his newfound calling, nursing, inspired by a deep desire to help care for others.
This same burning passion fuels Jaden's local activism, too. Late April saw Jaden begin volunteering with Thoughtful Progress, a group comprised of Blackberry Township and Sugar Grove residents, opposed to a colossal proposed development at the intersection of Interstate 88 and Route 47. Crown Community Development, the developer, wants to annex approximately 800 acres of farmland into Sugar Grove to build 3.5 million square feet of logistics warehousing, adjacent to residential neighborhoods in Blackberry Township. Despite their proximity, as unincorporated residents, they have no vote in the matter. Jaden, ever the outspoken advocate, has become a regular fixture at village board meetings, a voice for the health and safety of his community. Indeed, health and safety has become Jaden's rallying cry. In September, he addressed the board in favor of proposed intersection improvements at Park Avenue and Route 47. The need for improvements there literally struck close to home: in February 2019, his grandfather was t-boned in that intersection. Traffic accidents, Jaden argues, are not going to diminish with hundreds of additional trucks on the roads.
Next, when Jaden heard that the Corn Boil might be cancelled due to a volunteer shortage, it was a no-brainer for him to step up and to help bring fresh ideas to the table. At Aurora Christian, he helped prepare for school events and functions and volunteered on the annual weeklong mission trip. He also has previously staffed security for events such as the Kane County Fair, the Morton Arboretum Lights Show, and events at the DuPage County fairgrounds. He hopes to bring lessons learned through these experiences to his Corn Boil leadership.
The clear potential The Sugar Grove Gadfly sees in Jaden isn't so obvious to others: he's been subject to a surprising amount of unwarranted criticism concerning his advocacy and his age, criticism that we intend to investigate further in future articles. Several incidents stick out. A drainage district commissioner purportedly referred to Jaden as a "hoodlum," a phrase one typically reserves for violent criminals. Deeply ironic is the fact that between the two men, Jaden is the only one without a rap sheet. Jaden hilariously reclaimed the mean-spirited comment and purchased a hoodie emblazoned with the words "five star hoodlum," which he can often be seen wearing at rallies outside village board meetings, with his "no warehouses" sign in hand. Another noteworthy incident involves a village trustee, out of the blue, sending a message to one of Jaden's family members inquiring about how Jaden's parents died and if that's the reason why he is so "bitter." Jaden's got his doubts about these trustees and their Sherlock-Holmes-level investigative skills, given that Jaden's parents are very much alive. Even the village president hopped on the mudslinging bandwagon, unfoundedly accusing Jaden of calling the police on her. Allegedly, she directed a drone operator to record a promotional video for the village on private property without permission from the property owner. But guess what? The dispatch report, obtained by a FOIA request to the Kane County Sheriff's department, clearly shows that Jaden was not the caller.
Jaden Chada is not just a young figure in Sugar Grove; he is a dedicated leader, an advocate for his community's well-being, and a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity. His journey is a testament to the power of youth and an unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on the world. As he continues to shape the future of Sugar Grove, we believe Jaden's story is one that will be remembered and celebrated for years to come.