Backpack Biologists meets 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, May 1-31, at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook:

Yorkville resident Alicia Castillo announced she is running for mayor because she sees a lack of affordable housing, minimal social services, high taxes and low employment opportunities.

A former Sterling High School basketball player’s goal of going pro is starting to seem like a real possibility as she gets ready to participate in a nine-day international camp.

Abi Rose finished fourth in Impromptu Speaking and qualified for FBLA Nationals in San Antonio, Texas, June 29-July 2.

The Illinois Valley Community College Board of Trustees will meet at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, in Board Room C-307 at the main Oglesby campus.

Lyons Township High School has released its April North Campus Students of the Month

The Leaf River Soaring Eagles 4-H Club tried out STEM activities March 21, when club members started with circuit cubes making different projects, from a flashlight to cars.

Joliet Public Schools District 86 superintendent said she was "thrilled with the turnout" for the open house of Gompers and Hufford junior high schools. The schools will close for the opening of new building for Gompers and Hufford.

New report highlights KCC's role in workforce development and regional prosperity

The Bradley Elementary District 61 School Board approved a teachers contract Thursday with salary increases totaling 14% over three years.

Outstanding agricultural student Toby Steffen is recognized for leadership, record-keeping, and hands-on experience.

Does Amboy Junior High School have a math problem? For a group of parents of seventh grade students, the answer equals yes.

Over 100 seventh grade students from Byron Middle School recently completed a community service project.

Four students from Joliet Central and Joliet West high schools competed with top talent from across the state in multiple Computer Aided Drafting categories.

Putnam County High School will host a free college fair Tuesday, April 28, bringing admissions representatives from dozens of selective universities directly to area students and families.

Plans for a new Early Learning Development Center (ELDC) building in DeKalb that could nearly double the number of children the preschool program serves could cost more than originally proposed. The school board is expected to consider the proposal Tuesday.

To keep residents engaged with fresh, up-to-date info, the city of Yorkville is purchasing and installing two new digital LED boards at Town Square and City Hall.

Lockport High School students and staff threw a surprise send-off celebration for Superintendent Robert McBride on Friday as he prepares to run the Boston Marathon on Monday.

From Capitol News Illinois: The Illinois House and Senate approved hundreds of bills this week ahead of a Friday deadline, including a plan proposed by Gov. JB Pritzker to limit cell phones in schools

Caleb Christos and Karina Murillo Ibarra showcase entrepreneurship skills in annual competition

A $295 million bond referendum is under consideration in St. Charles School District 303 to add classrooms, update learning spaces, improve accessibility and make overall repairs.

Morris Community High School will break ground on its new addition at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 6.

Joliet Public Schools District 86 will host open houses for Hufford and Gompers Junior Highs on Saturday before the old school buildings are demolished.

The Rochelle Elementary School Board on April 14 unanimously approved the renewal of its food management contract with Whitsons Culinary Group.

Young aspiring writers from St. Charles, Geneva, and Batavia schools were honored during the 47th annual Creative Writing Contest. The selected students works were fiction, non-fiction and poetry.

From Capitol News Illinois: Public school teachers in Illinois may soon have to add Latin Americans to the list of ethnic groups whose contributions to American history and culture must be taught in class

A proposed amendment to the Education for Homeless Children Act will equip school districts with the ability to help families with temporary housing.

Dr. Paul Schrik has led Troy 30-C schools, which serve students from portions of Joliet, Shorewood, Channahon, Crest Hill, and unincorporated Troy Township, for eight years.

Woodland Middle School Principal Tiffany Drake received the Educator of the Year award for her role in educating students and serving as a leader and role model for youth.

Here's a list of personnel changes the Dixon School Board approved Wednesday night at its regular meeting.

Five members of the Dixon High School Scholastic Bowl Team will travel to Washington, D.C., to take part in the three-day World Affairs Council national tournament from April 26-28.

The 2025-2026 winner of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) American History Video Contest for the Rochelle Chapter is James Chadwick.

District 308 officials said the students registered for Summer Connections reflect the diverse racial makeup of the district and that every race represented in the school district is represented in the program.

Floyd J. Tilton VFW Post 3878 of Rochelle presented a $2,500 check April 13 to the David Crawford Foundation.

Kankakee School District is eliminating or not filling 74 positions for the 2026-27 school year to address its budget deficit. A job fair will be held this Saturday for staff members affected by the reduction in force.

More than $25 million in federal funding – including $8 million to the Tri-County Opportunities Council in Rock Falls – has been awarded to Head Start programs serving families across northern and central Illinois, U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Rockford, announced Tuesday.

Yorkville Mayor John Purcell indicated there’s “no more appetite” from the City Council for data center proposals outside of what’s already been approved.

The Oswego School Board voted to hire Brett McPherson as Oswego East High School's new principal and Liz Perez as the new assistant principal of curriculum and instruction.

The Meridian Education Foundation hosted its 2026 draw-down fundraiser at PrairieFire on April 11, bringing together community members, local businesses and supporters for an evening of celebration, connection and giving back.

Amboy High School's old bleachers at The Harbor have sailed to a new port just a few miles down the road.

Minooka Community Consolidated School District 201 officials are in the process of embarking on a once-in-a-decade review of capital improvement projects at each of the seven buildings.

From Capitol News Illinois: In its most recent version, the bill would require elementary and middle schools to implement a bell-to-bell ban, while high schools could allow students to use their cellphones during breaks and lunch

Local youths recently had the opportunity to spark their interest in skilled trades during a two-day 4-H welding workshop, where participants learned the fundamentals of welding in a safe, hands-on environment at the Whiteside Area Career Center.

Two Rock Falls students have been named to the fall dean’s list at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Earthrise, the energy company currently working to establish thousands of acres of solar farms in Will County, has provided a $15,000 grant for the Will County chapter of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

Community members lined the downtown street along Town Square Park on Saturday, April 11, to raise the voices they said are being ignored by Yorkville's elected officials. The group said "we are not backing down," in opposition to the city's near dozen data center projects.

The Coal City Unit 1 School District announced Friday that Corey Mikula has been named the new high school principal, and Jeffrey Pacholski has been named the assistant principal and athletic director at the middle school.

Ryan Gebhardt plans to attend Iowa State University's Ivy College of Business, where he will focus his studies on finance or entrepreneurship.

The flexible Healthy Endeavors for Kids curriculum, available in English and Spanish, requires no clinical background to deliver, making it accessible for teachers, youth leaders and community staff, Endeavor said.

Lockport Township High School District 205 has approved a rough timetable for improvements at both its campuses over the next decade. “There were a zillion ideas that didn’t make the list,” Superintendent Dr. Robert McBride said.