Law enforcement

A closed-door hearing was held at Joliet City Hall regarding a police chief’s recommendation to fire an officer facing three lawsuits over a 2024 pursuit that led to a crash. 

A judge ruled a Will County sheriff’s deputy conducted an unlawful search of a vehicle that led to the arrest of a Lockport Township man on felony gun possession charges.

A former Joliet housing official could avoid convictions on his record if he successfully completes his sentences in cases concerning cocaine possession and violation of a no-contact order.

The Will County Sheriff’s Office said a body found near a creek in a wooded area in Crete been identified as that of 18-year-old who had been missing since Feb. 6.

A Joliet grocery store and several restaurants were closed for one day as part of a nationwide protest in solidarity with immigrants in the face of U.S. President Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign.

Joliet Democrat Rachel Ventura introduced a measure in the Illinois Senate to ensure that the odor of raw or burnt cannabis alone could not be a reason for police to search a vehicle.

The family of a hostage taker who was killed by a Will County sheriff’s lieutenant in 2022 said they feel a “sense of profound injustice” after learning the lieutenant won’t face charges.

One man has been detained after Joliet police SWAT team members, detectives officers executed a search warrant in Elizabeth Court in Crest Hill.

Will County schools, agencies respond to President Donald Trump's executive order declaring the Department of Justice will investigate or prosecute agencies which do not comply with immigration enforcement officers.

Sheriffs from across the Sauk Valley said state law forbids them from assisting with newly sworn-in President Donald Trump’s promise to “launch the largest deportation program in American history.”

The Illinois State Police reports recovering 245 stolen and/or hijacked vehicles from October through December.

The Will County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a phone call scam involving alleged outstanding warrants and missed jury duty.

In just two short years, we are proud to have graduated six community law enforcement officers’ classes. In 2025, we will have surpassed 200 graduates.

The Sterling City Council swore in two new police officers and two new firefighters during a City Council meeting on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is alerting the public of an imposter scam that deputies were recently made aware of.

K9 Nemo, a Dutch Sheppard who is almost 8 years old, began his career in May 2019.

The Fulton City Council during a special session Thursday night selected Chad Hermes to replace Chief Nick Neblung when he leaves the position in January. Hermes started his career in Rock Falls and has also served in Albany and Morrison.

The Lakewood Village Board voted against the police department getting a Telsa electric squad car, which was touted as a would-be first in McHenry County.

The Joliet Police Department has a pattern of engaging in unreasonable force that is “not limited to any one type of force, tactic, or context” and is a violation of constitutional rights, according to a report released Thursday by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office.

Mayor Wendy Ottens' letter of resignation, which was read at the council’s Nov. 25 meeting, was approved as were the resignation of Police Chief Nick Neblung and Business Manager Tammy Garibay’s retirement.

A man who was going to be jailed for allegedly failing a drug test ran out of the Will County Courthouse in Joliet but was caught at a parking garage, police said.

Homer Glen residents Alexa Balen and Edward Weiher have once again been denied pretrial release after the Will County State's Attorney's office revealed new information regarding the overdose death of the couple's 2-year-old daughter.

The pre-trial detention hearing for Alexa Balen, the Homer Glen woman accused of child endangerment after the death of her 2-year-old daughter, has been postponed to give Balen more time to find an attorney.

Forensic pathologist says Jackson Kradle, a teenager whose body was found in the early morning hours of July 28 on a highway north of Mount Carroll, died as the result of a motor vehicle-pedestrian crash.

The Will County Sheriff’s Office said it has been informed that residents have received calls claiming they missed jury duty or have a warrant out for their arrest. This is a scam.

A Lockport man was arrested after he was accused of committing sex crimes against multiple teens from the states of New York, Washington and Illinois. Police also recovered 17 firearms from his home.

Grundy County Sheriff Ken Briley and State Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, are seeking reforms to the SAFE-T Act after police arrested two during a traffic stop the afternoon of Thursday, Oct. 24 after finding three kilograms of fentanyl.

Sept. 14 crash among 58 investigations aided by license plate reader cameras installed in August in Lee County.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is urging motorists to commit to sober driving, buckling up and following traffic laws this Halloween, as children and their families walk through neighborhoods after dark for candy and spooky fun.

More than 30 amateur, professional and commercial cooks will serve samples of their appetizers, entrees, side dishes or desserts for attendees to judge at the event in Joliet.

Will County sheriff’s deputies had guns drawn and shields up as they searched abandoned properties near Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm in Crest Hill and arrested two men on burglary charges.

Kendrick Pullen, 21, Chicago, was arrested Friday by Joliet police and charged in connection with the Oct. 5 shooting death of Everett Cole in the 800 block of Wenberg Street, according to Joliet police.

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County Police Chief David Pederson has been elected president of the DuPage Chiefs of Police Association, a role he will hold through September 2025.

Officers responded to reports of shots fired in the area of West Jefferson Street and Reed Street at about 3:06 p.m. on Wednesday, according to Joliet police.

A 17-year-old student from Lockport has been charged after the FBI detected a threat made against Providence Catholic High School on Snapchat on Wednesday.

Ogle County Sheriff’s Lt. Jason Ketter, shot in the face during a June 12 standoff at a rural Dixon residence, has undergone multiple surgeries and attended support group meetings in the four months since he was shot. He returned to work Tuesday.

The decision, issued by the Winnebago State’s Attorney’s Office, comes after a review of the events leading up to a June 12 gunfire exchange between the Ogle County Emergency Response Team and Jonathon Gounaris, a Lost Lake resident.

School Resource Officer Chris Cox will be retiring after serving 16 years at the Dixon Police Department. His last day at the high school will be Oct. 4. Taking over the position is Officer Matt Coffey, who will begin Monday, Sept. 30.

Pre-teen is charged with making a terrorist threat and disorderly conduct, is released from custody after Friday court hearing.

Jonathon Gounaris, 32, is charged with 4 counts of attempted first-degree murder, 3 counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm, 3 counts of aggravated battery and 2 counts of possession of a firearm without a firearm owner’s identification card.

Several Dixon Police Department marked squad vehicles and officers will be at Madison Elementary, Reagan Middle School and Dixon High School in response to potentially threatening Snapchat messages that surfaced last week, according to a police department Facebook post.

The Sterling Police Department has extended the date that it will accept applications for this year’s Citizen Police Academy until Monday, Sept. 9.

Illinois State Police Troop 3 Commander Capt. Patrick Manno announced the results of roadside safety checks held in Cook, DuPage, Kane and Will counties

Sterling police say a vehicle, later abandoned in Jefferson school's parking lot, damaged a fence at Sterling High School during a police pursuit early Tuesday morning. Class schedules were not disrupted and students were not in danger from the overnight events, police said.

Lee County sheriff’s deputies arrested Jerry W. Juzwiak Jr., 35, after a traffic stop around 6:15 p.m. Monday on U.S. Route 52 near Searls Road, south of Amboy, according to a news release issued by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

Correctional officer sent to hospital; prison on lockdown until further notice.

At around 12:29 a.m. Monday, Joliet police responded to the area of Hunter Avenue and Darcy Avenue for a disturbance. Upon arrival, an officer encountered an adult male holding a knife, according to police.

The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police presented Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow with the award on Aug. 22 at the ILACP executive board meeting at the Midwest Security & Police Conference/Expo in Tinley Park.

The Joliet Police Department is conducting a traffic safety campaign aimed at reducing impaired driving and other hazardous driving behaviors now through Sept. 3.

Dixon police shut down a portion of South Galena Avenue for about two hours Thursday morning while responding to a call alleging domestic violence, but led to no arrests, according to a news release from the Dixon Police Department.