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

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

Sports betting venture Circa Sports Illinois is inviting golf fans to test their swing for a chance to win up to $20,000 during a Hole-in-One Contest on April 9.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, has concluded a proactive investigation into the peer-to-peer distribution of child sexual abuse material.

The Illinois Judges Association’s project is a reading program for children in grades K-4 that encourages the appreciation, value, and enjoyment of reading.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office joined forces with state and local law enforcement and highway safety partners in the St. Patrick’s Day “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Drive High. Get a DUI” enforcement campaign.

The Lake County Retired Teachers Association will meet at noon April 14 at Lambs Farm Magnolia Cafe and Bakery in Libertyville, located at the junction of Route 176 and Interstate 94.

The Kick Family of Grayslake will be the topic of the Grayslake Historical Society’s monthly meeting at 7 p.m. April 8 in the community room of the Heritage Center, 164 Hawley St., Grayslake.

Two Lake Sheriff’s K9s have received bullet and stab protective vests thanks to a charitable donation from the nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9s Inc.

Eye Physicians of Libertyville, a rapidly growing private ophthalmology practice, has announced its expansion into a newly constructed suite within Winchester Court, Suite 107.

Lake County is inviting residents to expand their understanding of local government through the new America 250 Independence Academy.

Two Illinois organizations dedicated to advancing parks and recreation recognized the Lake County Forest Preserves with awards for excellence in public communications and design.

State Sen. Darby Hills, R-Barrington Hills, helped bring together Let It Be Us and colleagues from both sides of the aisle to lead a “Foster Care and Adoption 101” seminar in Libertyville.

More than 300 people attended the ninth annual Student Silent Film Festival held on Jan. 28 at the Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove.

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

A construction contractor suffered an injury while working at a Scot Forge facility Wednesday afternoon in Spring Grove.

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

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

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

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.

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.

From Capitol News Illinois: Operation Midway Blitz brought hundreds of federal immigration agents to the Chicago area last fall and led to more than 4,500 arrests. What happens to the children in these situations?

From Capitol News Illinois: A bill to allow for small, plug-in solar panel systems is moving through the Illinois Senate, which would open access to solar power for renters and others who can’t install rooftop solar panels

The Plug-In Illinois Act is touted by legislators as a way to unlock access to affordable solar power for Illinoisans who cannot install rooftop solar.

From Capitol News Illinois: House Bill 5507 would ban “ultraprocessed” foods in schools. The bill passed out of a public health committee on a partisan 6-2 vote

The NFL world will convene in Phoenix next week for the league’s annual meeting as the offseason continues. Here are four things that we can learn from the Chicago Bears at the NFL annual meeting.

Four people were taken to a hospital after a crash involving a dump truck and two passenger vehicles in Barrington Hills Thursday morning that shut down a stretch of Algonquin Road.

From Capitol News Illinois: The bill calls for annual increases in university funding of $135 million each year over the next several years, with priority for new money given to schools that are currently the most underfunded.

Lake County is starting a new sustainability program to recognize local businesses that are working to be more environmentally friendly.

Earlier this month, state Rep. Laura Faver Dias, D-Grayslake, hosted an event with House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, at Carillon North, a senior living community, to share legislative updates focused on older adults.

Barrington Area Democrats and Indivisible Barrington Area will host a “No Kings” Rally and Community March from 10 to 11 a.m. March 28 beginning at the Barrington Metra Train Station, 128 S Wool St, Barrington.

Gurnee residents and visitors alike are encouraged to mark their calendars for August 7-9, 2026, as the annual Gurnee Days festival debuts a new schedule, transitioning to a primarily Friday–Saturday format while continuing select Sunday traditions.

From Capitol News Illinois: The measures included a ban on junk fees, classification of “child torture” as a Class X felony, a retry at a nonprofit savings bill, and a bill to strip Chicago’s authority to alter the minimum wage for workers who make tips

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles could reward right tackle Darnell Wright for a second-team All-Pro season with a contract extension this offseason. Here’s a look at what a potential extension could look like.

From Capitol News Illinois: An Illinois House committee advanced a bill that would prohibit the federal government from operating an immigration detention center within 1,500 feet of any home, school, daycare center, park, forest preserve, cemetery or place of worship

From Capitol News Illinois: The bill would establish an independent board with the ability to set and implement the maximum price on certain prescription drugs

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias joined state and local leaders in warning of a deluge of text scams that arrive on targets’ phones disguised as official court or government communications.

From Capitol News Illinois: A House education committee unanimously approved the latest version of a bill that would require school boards to prohibit public school students from using their cellphones in the classroom

From Capitol News Illinois: Midwestern governors, including Illinois’ JB Pritzker, are seeking a permanent solution to being able to use the ethanol blend E15 gasoline that’s cheaper but some say more polluting at a time when gasoline prices are rising

A Gurnee man got a six-year sentence after pleading guilty to cocaine possession in McHenry County after initially being charged with intent to sell cocaine and fentanyl.

As lawmakers returned to Springfield Tuesday, Gov. JB Pritzker said that a deal to get a Bears stadium in Arlington Heights “needs to happen sooner rather than later,” but is in the hands of the state legislature.

From Capitol News Illinois: A Cook County judge will hear arguments next month over a petition to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate and charge alleged crimes committed by federal immigration agents during last fall’s “Operation Midway Blitz”

The storms will be rapidly developing and pushing southeastward across the region, according to the National Weather Service.

From Capitol News Illinois: State Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, who works as an insurance agent, said the new bill was an improvement over earlier versions. But he said it does not address the factors that he said are the real causes of rising premiums

An Antioch man faces charges after he fired a warning shot at fishermen that he said were trespassing on his private pond, police said.

From Capitol News Illinois: Raw milk advocates saw Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s appointment as Health and Human Services Director as a win, but it hasn’t translated to loosened regulations in Illinois