Fourth of July

Members from Open Roads ABATE assisted the city of Plano and the Plano Police Department during the Independence Day fireworks display.

The Burgess Family, descendants of Englishman John Cragg, who built the original Cragg Cabin at Gose Lake Prairie, gathered at cabin’s replica over the Fourth of July weekend to celebrate the American flag and their family history.

The Fourth of July traffic enforcement campaign was carried out by the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office in collaboration with state and local law enforcement agencies across Illinois

A Braidwood man will remain in jail after prosecutors claimed he recklessly fired a gun on the Fourth of July in the direction of Interstate 55.

Hundreds gathered Friday, July 4 at Kankakee Community College as the city of Kankakee hosted its annual Independence Day celebration.

Hundreds gathered Friday, July 4, 2025, at Kankakee Community College as the city of Kankakee hosted its annual Independence Day celebration.

Thirty four kids took part in the Let Freedom Ring Kiddie Parade on Saturday, July 5, 2024 in Mt. Morris.

Check out some of the best pictures captured by Daily Chronicle photographers for Shaw Local News Network the week of June 28-July 6.

A parade, live music, food and fun were all part of the Let Freedom Ring festival in Mt. Morris on Friday, July 4, 2025.

Fun continues Saturday with car show, kiddie parade, and live music

The City of Ottawa held their annual Independence Day fireworks celebration on Friday, July 4, 2025 in Ottawa. Check out photos from Kyle Russell.

The Sandwich Freedom Days parade starts at 10 a.m. A map of the two-mile parade route is posted on the Park District’s website, sandwichparkdistrict.org.

Huntley held its first Independence Day Parade along Main Street on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Huntley.

Justyna Conkle of Lake in the Hills went big for the Fourth of July, creating a large balloon display at her hone for the holiday.

People enjoy the Lake Bluff Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Lake Bluff.

The Riverview Historic District kicked off the holiday weekend Friday morning with its annual 4th of July Celebration featuring the annual Kids' Bike Ride and music by the Riverview Kids' Band.

The Riverview Historic District kicked off the holiday weekend with its annual 4th of July Celebration featuring the Kids' Bike Ride and music by the Riverview Kids' Band on Friday, July 4, 2025.

The Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre in Joliet held its annual Independence Day Celebration on July 3, 2025. The event included live music on two stages, children's games, food trucks, vendors and fireworks.

Kirkland held its 77th annual Kirkland Fourth of July Festival Friday kicking off the day with a parade through downtown.

Where you can watch fireworks in Kane County.

People who want to stake out their spots for Sunday’s Crystal Lake Independence Day parade are going to have to wait until Saturday to call dibs.

Just in time for Independence Day, here ere are a few patriotic facts and trivia.

Here's where you can find fireworks displays in the McHenry County area.

Here's what's going on around McHenry County around the Fourth of July.

Those attending the July 4 fireworks show are encouraged to use the parking lots at Traughber Junior High School, Eastview Academy, Prairie Point Park/Prairie Point Elementary School and Oswego High School.

Average gas prices in many northern Illinois counties are expected to be cheaper than last year for the Fourth of July weekend as the cost of fuel continues to decline over the past several years.

Every Fourth of July, the pride of Yorkville battles sweltering heat, donning their trademark red and white attire, marching to the tune of patriotic fervor. Playing an indelible part in thousands of people’s traditions, the Yorkville Community Band has grown to record size.

There will be parking lot closures and traffic alterations around Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre for the city of Joliet’s fireworks Thursday evening

From food trucks and live music to family-friendly festivities, here is a roundup of places to enjoy the Fourth of July across Kendall County:

DeKalb County has several festivals in July and around the Fourth of July holiday to view fireworks and enjoy other family-friendly activities.

There's no shortage of Independence Day fireworks displays across DuPage County

From food trucks and live music to family-friendly festivities, here is a roundup of places to enjoy the Fourth of July across Will and Grundy counties.

From live music and food trucks to pet parades and pie-eating contests, here is a list of Kane County happenings on Fourth of July weekend:

The 1960s tribute band SHiNDiG! performs at the Let Freedom Ring Block Party on July 4; Bagshot Row returns July 5 for the Let Freedom Ring Car Show.

Live music, food vendors and fireworks are part of the July 3 celebration at Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park in Joliet.

A total of five contestants took part in Let Freedom Ring's Little Miss and Mister Firecracker contest on the Warren Reckmeyer bandshell on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in downtown Mt. Morris.

Block party, live music and fireworks all set for Friday, July 4.

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced Wednesday these lane closures in Will County will remain in place during the Fourth of July weekend.

Most visitor centers at Will County forest preserves will be closed for the Independence Day holiday.

Area motorists are reminded that Bastian Drive in Sugar Grove will be closed temporarily Wednesday for the park district's annual Fourth of July Bike Parade.

Fourth of July festivities can be frightening and even dangerous for animals with noisy fireworks and other celebrations. The American Veterinary Medical Association offers these guidelines for keeping pets safe.

It’s been 70 years since four Yorkville senior girl scouts went door to door collecting donations to bring back the Yorkville Independence Day parade and fireworks that have since helped shape the community’s identity over the past seven decades. Two sisters remember the days.

Families celebrating the Fourth of July will still face high grocery bills, with prices down an average of just 30 cents from last year’s record, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2025 marketbasket survey.

Fourth of July-adjacent festivities kicked. off with the weekend's Stars N’ Stripes Fest in Cary.

In Illinois, consumer fireworks may be purchased and displayed only by adults who have obtained permits from their local jurisdiction. Handheld fireworks, including firecrackers, roman candles and bottle rockets, are not approved for sale or use in Illinois.

The Kable Concert Band will present two patriotic concerts – one Wednesday, July 2, on the Mt. Morris Campus and the other on Friday, July 4, behind the former David L. Rahn Junior High School, 105 W. Brayton Road, before the fireworks show.

The yearly schedule of outdoor festivals in DeKalb County will ramp up over the coming weeks. Here is your guide to every large festival and event planned in DeKalb County through September:

The Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce has named Steve Slack grand marshal of the 2025 Independence Day Parade.

The Crest Hill Police Department’s traffic enforcement campaign will run from June 20 through July 7, leading up to and after Fourth of July weekend.

The League of Women Voters of Glen Ellyn (LWVGE) has been denied entry into the Glen Ellyn’s Fourth of July parade, according to a news release.