From Capitol News Illinois: Faculty at the University of Illinois Springfield went on strike Friday after contract negotiations failed to produce satisfactory wage increases and address other concerns.

The attorney for Xandria Harris said in Kankakee County court Friday she will be filing a motion for a change of venue.

From Capitol News Illinois: Frustrated Peoples Gas customers and utility watchdog advocates gathered in Daley Plaza on Wednesday to protest rising heat bills, chanting “Rate hike? No! Record profits? No!”

The Americo Vespucci Lodge is hosting its 25th annual Sons and Daughters of Italy on Saturday, April 18.

The Chicago Bears won’t receive compensatory picks for the hiring of former assistant general manager Ian Cunningham. The NFL announced the final decision Friday.

The home at 6 Phelps Court in Manteno was sold on March 6. The purchase price was $298,000.

Jakob Knox, most recently the director of the Manteno Chamber of Commerce, is the newest employee for the village of Bourbonnais. To fill his vacancy, Manteno hired Ashley Peterson, a 19-year village resident.

The Grundy Area Vocational Center brought the University of Illinois Extension simulation “Welcome to the Real World” to students at Coal City and Gardner-South Wilmington High School on March 25-26.

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson sat down with Shaw Local at the NFL’s annual meetings in Phoenix this week. In this exclusive 1-on-1 interview, he touched on various topics, including his first year, quarterback Caleb Williams, and more

Sophie Klawitter struck out 15 in a complete game while Mary Klawitter slugged a homer to lead Peotone, Gianni Jaime netted a hat trick for Herscher and more in Thursday's Daily Journal roundup.

A tornado watch issued for much of northern Illinois Thursday afternoon has been extended until 11 p.m. And a severe thunderstorm warning is now in effect until 8 p.m. for some areas, according to the National Weather Service.

Bradley-Bourbonnais fell short in a comeback effort for a 7-5 loss to Bremen on Thursday, April 2, 2026.

From Capitol News Illinois: Gov. JB Pritzker is urging Congress to authorize year-round E15 gasoline sales, arguing it would stabilize fuel markets and support rural economies

CSL Behring, a biopharma company that employs many in Kankakee County, has donated $100,000 to the Emergency Response Fund of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties to support recovery efforts after the tornado on March 10.

Chicago Bears brass met with reporters this week in Phoenix at the NFL’s annual meetings and discussed various things, including a new stadium. Shaw Local’s Michal Dwojak and Joe Aguilar break down what they learned about the Bears this week

From Capitol News Illinois: The blame game comes after Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas released a report that found property taxes in the state’s largest county have grown faster than inflation and wage growth over the past 30 years

Reflecting on the question "What would be on your plate for your last meal?" Taylor Leddin-McMaster answers from a Kankakee County perspective.

The Bears let key defensive production walk this offseason. With the draft three weeks away, fixing a unit that wasn’t close to championship level is now the top priority, Marc Silverman writes

Joslynn Dole threw a two-hit shutout and had a pair of hits to lead Bishop McNamara to a 10-0 win over Reed-Custer while Coal City dropped a pair of games at the WJOL Tournament in Wednesday's Daily Journal roundup.

Four astronauts embarked on a high-stakes flight around the moon on Wednesday, humanity’s first lunar voyage in more than half a century and the thrilling leadoff in NASA’s push toward a landing in two years

Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to sweep across northern Illinois on Thursday afternoon and evening, bringing the potential for damaging winds, hail, and even isolated tornadoes

Kankakee police arrested 24-year-old Nazhai S. Hill, of Kankakee, for allegedly setting a fire that damaged a residence, garage and three vehicles Tuesday.

The Bears say they want a new stadium open by 2030, with a final decision expected in the coming months. Arlington Heights and Hammond, Indiana, remain in play as lawmakers negotiate key incentives

From Capitol News Illinois: More than 1,000 Illinois State Police vehicles have passed the threshold for replacement, but current funding levels mean it will take 18 years to replace them all, Director Brenden Kelly said

Kankakee police arrested 24-year-old Nazhai S. Hill, of Kankakee, for allegedly setting a fire that damaged a residence, garage and three vehicles Tuesday.

The Chicago Bears are still making an effort to potentially receive compensatory draft picks for former assistant general manager Ian Cunningham’s hiring with the Atlanta Falcons this offseason

UpliftedCare Community Grief Center is hosting two free programs in April designed to support families navigating caregiving and grief.

The Extension’s work spans youth development, agriculture education, community wellness, and horticulture programming.

You tell yourself that now is not the time to start the business, write the book, make the call, apply for the job, have the baby, buy the ticket, or take the leap. But fear is never short of arguments. It always knows how to sound wise.

Explore Kankakee's history this weekend at the Kankakee County Museum or B. Harley Bradley House.

From Capitol News Illinois: A proposal that would have created the first statewide regulations aimed at curbing pollution generated by fulfillment centers, parcel hubs and sorting facilities failed to receive a committee vote in either chamber of the General Assembly

Project next goes to Will County Board committee on Thursday for review after two-day public hearing.

In the first-ever season of varsity boys volleyball for all three All-City schools in the same year, Kankakee earned the first rivalry win of the season when the Kays swept Bishop McNamara Tuesday.

Both Wilmington and Reed-Custer completed Illinois Central Eight Conference softball sweeps, with Wilmington beating Coal City 11-8 and Reed-Custer downing Herscher 14-3, and more in Tuesday's Daily Journal roundup.

Bradley-Bourbonnais tallied a 9-1 win over Bishop McNamara in All-City play on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wants the Chicago Bears to find a solution to their stadium search sooner rather than later. He made the comments Tuesday at the league’s annual meetings in Phoenix.

From Capitol News Illinois: Rep. Suzanne Ness, D-Crystal Lake, sponsored the bill after hearing from an agency that had funding and a house ready to open a CILA, but was blocked by local zoning, despite a long wait list. The bill passed the house 77-35

NFL owners approved five rule changes at their annual league meetings in Phoenix on Tuesday. They approved rules that will change aspects of the kickoff, allow support for NFL officials as well as one in case of a referee work stoppage.

The NFL’s annual meetings continued in Phoenix on Tuesday as AFC coaches met with reporters. Here are five of the most interesting things coaches said about current and former Chicago Bears players and coaches Tuesday.

In its first year of Illinois hospital ownership, Prime Healthcare touts $104 million of investment and saving 13,000 jobs.

The National Corn Growers Association recently released a report, “America’s Crop at Risk: The Future of Corn and Family Farms,” illustrating how far U.S. agriculture has come and how urgent action is needed to secure its future

The Will County Board Planning & Zoning Commission on Tuesday will reconvene a public hearing on Earthrise Energy's proposal for a 6,100-acre solar complex.

Matthew Schore has been appointed to the Kankakee Community College board of trustees, filling the term of Michael Proctor, who died unexpectedly last month.

According to the motor club AAA, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is now $4.02 — over a dollar more than before the war in Iran began

Peyton Marin’s two-run double to left field in the home half of the sixth inning broke a tie game and proved to be the winning knock Monday in the Bulldogs’ 8-6 victory.

Reed-Custer softball came out on top of a wild one with Herscher, all three city softball teams earned wins and more in Monday's Daily Journal roundup.

The Illinois State Police (ISP) announced Monday all 169 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) throughout Illinois, commonly called 911 call centers, have successfully transitioned to Next Generation 911 (NG911). ​

Illinois Department of Natural Resources staff will continue to monitor the lake and will reopen it once it reaches safe navigation levels, the department said in a Monday.

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson met with reporters Monday morning at the NFL’s annual meeting in Phoenix. Here are four of the most interesting things Johnson said.

The countdown to planting begins with April’s arrival, and farmers could start soon if conditions are favorable.