Explainer

According to the Illinois Report Card, 42.2% of students were chronically absent during the 2023-24 school year.

It’s just been a week since that other election, but for many McHenry County communities, filing begins Tuesday for the next one – the local election, which takes place April 1.

The McHenry VFW's Queen of Hearts jackpot is once again topping $1 million and has rolled over yet again in the latest drawing. Here's all you need to know about the game.

The polls in McHenry County have closed. Here are five things to watch for as the results come in.

Tuesday is the last day to cast a ballot in the November election. Here's what to know about voting.

Search our table to see what designation your DuPage County school received on the 2024 school report card.

Search our table to see what designation your Kane County school received on the 2024 school report card.

Search our table to see what designation your Kendall County school received on the 2024 school report card.

Search our table to see what designation your DeKalb County school received on the 2024 school report card.

Search our table to see what designation your Morris or Grundy County school received on the 2024 school report card.

This week, the Illinois State Board of Education released school- and district-level data showing what percentage of Will County students were considered proficient in math and reading last year. Check out this chart to see if that's an improvement over the prior year.

Search our table to see what designation your La Salle County school received on the 2024 school report card.

This week, the Illinois State Board of Education released school- and district-level data showing what percentage of Kendall County students were considered proficient in math and reading last year. Check out this chart to see if that's an improvement over the prior year.

This week, the Illinois State Board of Education released school- and district-level data showing what percentage of Grundy County students were considered proficient in math and reading last year. Check out this chart to see if that's an improvement over the prior year.

This week, the Illinois State Board of Education released school- and district-level data showing what percentage of La Salle County students were considered proficient in math and reading last year. Check out this chart to see if that's an improvement over the prior year.

This week, the Illinois State Board of Education released school- and district-level data showing what percentage of DuPage County students were considered proficient in math and reading last year. Check out this chart to see if that's an improvement over the prior year.

Search our table to see what designation your Carroll, Lee, Ogle or Whiteside county school received on the 2024 school report card.

Search our table to see what designation your Bureau County school received on the 2024 school report card.

Search our table to see what designation your McHenry County school received on the 2024 school report card.

This week, the Illinois State Board of Education released school- and district-level data showing what percentage of McHenry County students were considered proficient in math and reading last year. Check out this chart to see if that's an improvement over the prior year.

This week, the Illinois State Board of Education released school- and district-level data showing what percentage of Carroll, Lee, Ogle or Whiteside county students were considered proficient in math and reading last year. Check out this chart to see if that's an improvement.

This week, the Illinois State Board of Education released school- and district-level data showing what percentage of Bureau County students were considered proficient in math and reading last year. Check out this chart to see if that's an improvement over the prior year.

Search our table to see what designation your Will County school received on the 2024 school report card.

Nearly 50 years ago, a skull was found in the wall of a Batavia home during a renovation. This year, the identify of the woman it belonged to was discovered, her great grandson was found and her skull was interred.

Early voting is expanding in McHenry County countywide Monday. Here's all you need to know to cast your ballot in the Nov. 5 election early or by mail.

After a sobering report on the condition of Sterling Fire Department’s apparatus, many have asked: “How did we get here?” To answer those questions, we need to go back a few years, writes Shaw Local reporter Brandon Clark.

How the Northwest Herald covered the Woodstock explosion that damaged about 20 buildings and displaced about the same number of residents one year ago Wednesday.

Looking back at an explosion in Woodstock one year ago that damaged many buildings and what has happened since then to those affected.

Daiso, the Japanese discount store, is due to open its first Illinois locations in Crystal Lake and Oswego early next year.

A breakdown of how to vote, including how to register or mail in a ballot, polling locations, dates, times and deadlines.

Whiteside County voters on Tuesday, Nov. 5, will decide whether to OK a new 0.5% public safety tax that would bring in about $2M annually to fund 911 emergency dispatch call center services or leave their city’s administration to figure out how to foot their share of the bill.

Who really invented barbed wire? Area historians take a look inside Barb City’s ‘complicated’ history, and the invention that put DeKalb on the map. The local barbed wire patent turns 150 this year.

Peru unveiled a multi-faceted indoor-outdoor sports complex and city center Monday it believes will spark economic growth for the city and Illinois Valley region. Here is why Peru believes it is poised to do so.

Early voting starts Thursday. Here's what you need to know about voting in McHenry County.

Starting on Thursday, Sept. 26, early voting locations around Illinois will be open for business and mail-in ballots will be sent out to voters who submitted requests for them beginning in August.

Water's Edge is Crystal Lake's biggest development. Here's a look at the plans and the timeline.

Students returned to classrooms only weeks ago, but in that time educators and police across northern Illinois have responded to dozens of school threats, creating what authorities said is an atmosphere of fear they worry could worsen if something isn’t done.

Crystal Lake District 47 teachers don't have a contract deal and have declared an impasse in talks. What happens now and could it lead to a strike?

New high school ag programs also sprouting in Sterling, Dixon amid growing student interest.

Local discussion about housing people without shelter is surfacing In the wake of U.S. Supreme Court action that now allows cities to establish an ordinance to ban sleeping and camping in public spaces.

When McHenry County voters head to the polls this fall, they’ll see candidates ranging from president to county board member, but also several ballot requests related to taxes and other government issues.

Putnam County residents will decide in the Nov. 5 election whether the school district moves to a single campus in Granville joining the high school and elementary school there, after the district has found its facilities need more than $60 million in updates.

Joliet Township High School District 204 sent a notice to families and refreshed students on safety protocols Monday following two days of non-credible social media threats to its schools.

The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board will hold another hearing on the proposed sale of Ascension-owned facilities in October.

Peru residents will be asked on the November ballot if they want to use the hotel/motel tax to fund a municipal pool, but what will a pool cost the city or its residents?

The Huntley Park District is asking voters to give their blessing to an $18 million bond sale that would involve a tax increase.