Will County communities are getting ready to welcome in the holiday season with these festivals, parades and tree lightings.

Since most homes in Lockport saw an increase in assessed value last year, the average homeowner will likely see some increase in taxes paid to the city, the city said.

"Pat was always very thoughtful and methodical, and he will be missed greatly by all of us," said Lockport Mayor Steven Streit about Alderman Patrick McDonald who died on Tuesday.

County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant hints that she will consider a veto, says lower levy creates unbalanced budget.

Partrick McDonald, 67, passed away on Tuesday night after an 18-month battle with cancer, the City of Lockport said.

Portillo’s Vice President of Restaurant Support Michael Portillo will attend the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Plainfield location, which will include a check presentation to Bags of Hope, Portillo’s charity partner.

A public hearing on the budget will be held during the City Council meeting on Wednesday Nov. 19, as well as the initial hearing on the property tax levy.

The federal office responsible for overseeing special education took a major hit last month in the mass layoffs to the U.S. Department of Education, leaving questions of how students with disabilities will be affected across the nation

Athletes from across Illinois competed in the IHSA Girls State Swimming Preliminaries at FMC Natatorium in Westmont on Friday, Nov. 14.

Lockport Township High School District 205 received a commendable rating on the state report card. “We’re pleased with the results, but there’s always work to do," said Superintendent Dr. Robert McBride.

7 Brew Coffee has opened in Joliet and Lockport, is building a second Joliet store, and plans to build in Plainfield.

A flag ceremony was held for Veterans Day on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, at Stone City VFW Post 2199. A free community luncheon and health screening was also held at the post. The post has been under the new leadership of U.S. Army veteran Jose Guzman since last June.

The Joliet Police Department is partnering with the The Salvation Army Joliet Corps Community Center for its annual holiday food drive: Patrol for Hunger! Food pantries are reporting higher demand.

Lockport and Oak Park-River Forest competed in a 4A Supersectional girls volleyball game at Hinsdale Central on Monday, Nov. 10.

The food drive in Lockport was meant to provide short-term assistance to families impacted by the uncertainty with SNAP funding amid the historic government shutdown.

The mother and daughter were last seen on Oct. 28 in the 400 block of Francis Street, according to a statement from the Joliet Police Department.

Lockport and Homewood-Floossmoor faced-off in a 8A varsity football playoff game at Lockport Township High School's East Campus on Saturday, Nov. 8.

In addition to the many food banks and food pantries throughout Will County, various agencies and organizations are holding their own food drives and distributions to help fight hunger.

Illinois lost an estimated 2,936 men in Vietnam – the sixth-highest toll among all states. Dozens were from local communities, and their sacrifices continue to resonate with family and friends

Joliet West and Lockport competed in a 4A Sectional Finals varsity volleyball game at Joliet West on Thursday, Nov. 6.

100 Women Who Care of Will County held its big check presentation on Oct. 29 for Team Nicholas, a group working to provide hospitalized children with gifts year round.

Lockport and Waubonsie Valley competed in a 4A sectional varsity volleyball game at Joliet West on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

A dog spa in Homer Glen is hosting a “Pictures with Santa” event to raise money for a ballistic vest for a K-9 with the Will County Sheriff’s Office.

Lockport Township offered a complimentary buffet breakfast to senior residents during its 18th annual Senior Breakfast program

There is no definitive time when the contingency funding for SNAP benefits will kick in, despite a court order to the Trump Administration on Friday.

Here are some of the places to donate food to help those in need and where to find food distribution programs in Will County. Lockport fire volunteers will be at Jewel on Sunday

Lockport and Plainfield North competed in the 4A L-W Central Regional girls varsity volleyball game at Lincoln-Way Central on Thursday, Oct. 30.

Search our table to see what designation your Will County school received on the 2025 school report card.

Ashley Tucker, 25, was reported missing on Oct. 14, 2018 and her body was found 12 days later in a yard in Lockport Township.

A 15-year-old girl was reported to have been last seen in the 6000 block of Winterhaven Drive, according to a statement from the Joliet Police Department.

Catch up on the week’s top Will County news in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you, for the week of Oct. 19-25

The Lockport Township High School District 205 board voted to extend Superintendent Dr. Robert McBride's contract for an extra year.

With spring here and temperatures slowly warming it is time to get out your bike and head out to these Will County trails.

The Lockport Township Fire Protection District Board met Wednesday and discussed the police firing range that was planned for the site but had its funding eliminated.

No injuries have been reported. Northbound traffic on I-355 has been diverted off 127th Street in Lemont.

The free event will connect students with more than 100 representatives from colleges, universities, technical branches, unions and first responder organizations.

The Lockport Township Fire Protection District broke ground on its new first responder training facility on Monday.

The Lockport Township Fire Protection District officially broke ground on its new training facility in Crest Hill on Monday morning, Oct. 20, 2025. The new center is located along Division Street near Stateville Correctional Center.

Many Illinois communities are adding back a 1% grocery tax that will otherwise expire on Jan. 1. Is your town among them?

The new Lockport Township Fire Protection District training and maintenance facility in Crest Hill will break ground Monday, Oct. 20 even as the future of the facility's planned gun range comes into question.

The City of Lockport held a rally in Central Square meant to raise awareness about breast cancer and encourage people to make lifestyle changes to reduce their risks on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025.

The Lockport Committee of the Whole gave initial approval to a plan to purchase half of the 1035 S. State St. property for use as public parking on Wednesday.

The Illinois Route 7 channelization project in Lockport has entered its final stage and is nearing completion.

Employees were able to evacuate safely from the Lockport building following a fire on Sunday.

Lincoln-Way Central hosted Lockport for a varsity girls volleyball game on Thursday, Oct. 9.

People waited an hour for coffee at 7 Brew on West Jefferson Street. The company is building a second Joliet location.

The City of Lockport has agreed to purchase the former Dellwood Tire property in order to redevelop it.

The fire broke out Saturday morning on Ashley Court North in Lockport.

To participate in this program, residents must place their branches at the edge of the parkway, cut ends facing the street, prior to 7 a.m. on Monday.