Minooka blanks Plainfield North in baseball, Morris drops a one-run decision to Rochelle, Joliet Catholic softball edges Nazareth and more in the Herald-News Tuesday roundup.

The American Hospital Association (AHA) honored Morris Hospital and Healthcare Centers for 100 years of participation, leadership, and membership in the AHA.

From Capitol News Illinois: U.S. District Judge Rubén Castillo, who chairs the commission, confirmed for the first time that the commission is planning to refer prosecutions of agents who abused their power to Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke

Seismic legislation that could determine the Chicago Bears’ future in Illinois officially arrived in the Illinois Senate on Tuesday, but the big finish is days off.

From Capitol News Illinois: The mother of a young woman to whom the Trump administration dedicated Operation Midway Blitz testified to the Illinois Accountability Commission on Monday, saying her daughter would not have wanted this legacy

Plainfield Central has won three straight, Plainfield North is 13-2 and more in the Herald-News girls soccer notebook.

The Chicago Bears prioritized adding speed to their defense for much of the offseason, including last week's NFL draft. Will that speed lead to better defensive play next season?

Despite limited research and transparency, Illinois counties have continued to launch new mental health courts, and advocates call for more, raising big questions about fiscal accountability and oversight

From the Illinois Answers Project: Mental health courts have proliferated across Illinois in recent decades. Now, the state has 31 courts across 25 counties. There’s at least one in most of the state’s judicial circuits, but about two million Illinoisans are still left out.

Gabi Juarez threw a six-hitter with seven strikeouts to lead Joliet West to a 3-1 softball win over Plainfield East and more in Monday's Herald-News Roundup.

From Capitol News Illinois: The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld all of ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s bribery and other corruption convictions, writing in a 29-page ruling Monday

From Capitol News Illinois: A federal agency says Illinois can’t limit credit card swipe fees for federally chartered banks, even though a federal judge earlier this year ruled that it could.

High turnover can mean instability for teachers, making it harder for them to improve student outcomes, research shows. How does your school compare?

Providence sophomore Justus Heeg went 50-1 this season and won his second state championship in Illinois and third overall. Heeg is the 2026 Herald-News Boys Wrestler of the Year.

Riverside Healthcare donated more than $12,000 to 18 high schools across Kankakee, Grundy, Will, and Iroquois counties for their 2025 fall sports seasons.

The Chicago Bears added to their roster over three days during the NFL Draft. Shaw Local's Michal Dwojak and Joe Aguilar break down whether they think the Bears did enough to fix their needs.

The Chicago Bears continued bolstering their roster after the NFL Draft by signing undrafted free agents. Here’s a look at the undrafted rookie free agents who the Bears reportedly are signing.

From Capitol News Illinois: Water supply concerns are furthered by the development of data centers, particularly in regions with depleted aquifers

State Representative Jackie Haas (R-Kankakee) brought two local leaders to the annual Women to Watch Conference in Springfield: Angelina Gear, executive director of Visit Kankakee County, and Dr. Melvina Calvin-Edwards, an assistant professor at Kankakee Community College.

As part of the City of Morris's push to upgrade the Morris Municipal Airport, the airport now has self-serve fuel pumps for traveling pilots.

The Forest Preserve District of Will County begins heron viewing hours at the Lake Renwick Heron Rookery every 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays through Aug. 9.

Strong to severe storms are expected across northern Illinois on Monday, with the greatest risk for damaging winds and hail arriving late afternoon into the evening

The Forest Preserve District of Will County said it has documented multiple cases of wildlife harmed by discarded fishing line.

From Capitol News Illinois: Illinois launched two websites last week that share various work, training and volunteer opportunities that meet federal food assistance work requirements

The single-family residence located at 1010 Burla Drive, Unit D in Morris was sold on April 6, for $327,000, or $217 per square foot.

From Capitol News Illinois: A Cook County judge will rule next month on a petition to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate — and possibly charge — alleged abuses by federal immigration agents during the Trump administration’s “Operation Midway Blitz” deportation campaign

The new system offers park users a more user-friendly system for making reservations and securing permits, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources said.

The two statewide volunteer programs, run through the University of Illinois Extension, train residents to grow food, support pollinators, and protect natural resources.

The 2026 NFL draft is in the book and the Chicago Bears selected seven prospects over three days. Here’s a look at every player the Bears drafted this weekend.

Joliet Catholic baseball dominates Carmel in doubleheader plus more in the Herald-News Saturday Roundup.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson met with reporters at Halas Hall in Lake Forest on Saturday to recap the 2026 NFL draft. Here are three of the most interesting things the Bears said Saturday.

Lincoln-Way scored five goals in the first period and ultimately dominated Lemont to win their boys lacrosse game 9-0 on Saturday afternoon.

The Chicago Bears used their final selection of the NFL draft to address defensive tackle, selecting Georgia Tech’s Jordan ven den Berg in the sixth round at No. 213.

The Chicago Bears continued to boost their defense in the fifth round of the NFL draft on Saturday afternoon, selecting Arizona State linebacker Keyshaun Elliott at No. 166.

Former Graves Lumber employees and community members reunite to honor a building that served the region for over a century.

The Chicago Bears started the final day of the NFL by boosting their secondary once again, this time selecting Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad in the fourth round at No. 124.

Bring your extra houseplants, seeds, and cuttings, and swap with neighbors who actually want them.

The Coal City United Methodist Church is holding a senior citizens gathering from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 6.

Forecasters warn of an all-hazards severe weather threat on Monday, including tornadoes, hail, and flooding rain

In dueling appearances Friday, Gov. JB Pritzker and his Republican rival in the Nov. 3 election, Darren Bailey, outlined fixes for legislation intended to anchor the Chicago Bears in Illinois

Athletes from a dozen area teams met up at the Manteno Invite on Friday, getting in some valuable work with the outdoor season already starting to wind down.

The Chicago Bears used their second third round pick of the NFL draft Friday night to boost their wide receiver room, selecting LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas at No. 89 overall.

The Chicago Bears used their first third-round pick of the NFL Draft on Friday night to select Stanford tight end Sam Roush at No. 69.

Eleven area schools competed in the Manteno Track Invite on Friday, April 24, 2026.

Addison Van Duyne had a goal and an assist, while Mayah Sanchez and Kailyn Motykowski also scored for Wilmington in a 3-1 soccer win over Morris

The Chicago Bears boosted their offensive line to start the second round on Friday by selecting Iowa center Logan Jones with the No. 57 overall in the NFL draft.

Chicago Bears first-round draft pick Dillon Thieneman proved he can be a difference-maker at Oregon. Now he'll try to bring his versatility, speed and winning traits to the NFL. Here's how.

From Capitol News Illinois: Proponents of BUILD argued that the primary driver of the current housing affordability crisis is a lack of supply caused by legislative hurdles and different municipal priorities

These Will County students will travel to Ireland from June 28 to July 23.

The Chicago Bears drafted Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman with the No. 25 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft on Thursday night. Shaw Local's Michal Dwojak and Joe Aguilar break down the pick and preview what's left to do in the draft