Marquette fell 6-1 to St. Joseph-Ogden in the IHSA Class 2A State semifinals on Friday, June 12, 2026, at the University of Illinois in Champaign.

Extreme damage from the tornado was located in the areas of Sunbury Drive, Saragota Lane, Airport Road, and Aquaduct Road on Friday, June 12, 2026 in Streator.

A multi-vortex tornado struck the City of Streator on Thursday, June 11, 2026. The tornado struck just before 6 p.m. The heaviest damage occurred on the east side of the city.

Audrey Carver of Minneapolis is painting a large 56x25-foot Audubon Mural Project on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 on the side of Jens Jungle store located at 707 Jefferson Street in Mendota. The drawing depicts threatened bird species and illustrates the ecology of Lake Kakusha’s habitats, capturing the diversity and interconnectedness of Illinois ecosystems. The city of Mendota will hold Painted Wings and Wild Things: A Celebration of Art, Nature & Place on Sunday, June 14 to unveil the mural. A second mural will begin this week on Illinois Avenue.

Marquette defeated Brimfield 9-6 on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at Schweickert Stadium in Peru. The Crusaders advance to the State tournament for the third consecutive season.

Marquette pulled away from Wilmington for an 11-2 victory in the IHSA Class 2A Herscher Sectional championship on Saturday, June 6, 2026.

Seneca and Carterville clash for the 2A softball title Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Peoria. Carterville took the win 3-1 in a tight game.

Seventeen awards were handed out to teams and individuals during the 2026 Shaw Media Illinois Valley Sports Hall of Fame on Thursday, June 4, 2026 at the Auditorium Ballroom in La Salle.

The 2026 planting season is wrapping up across the Illinois Valley.