Local

Jeff Bailey won two state championships as bowling coach for the Plainfield South boys and Joliet West girls while also helping establish the program at Joliet Junior College. He died on May 8 after a long illness.

DeKalb Park Board of Commissioners this month added three new members, swearing in newly-elected Dean Bourdages, Tia Anderson, and Michelle Foster.

Pumpkins are headed to the cinema in the 2025 Sycamore Pumpkin Festival. South Prairie Elementary School 5th grader Rayven Rosas submitted the contest’s winning entry: “Pumpkins at the movies.”

Huntley police are asking residents to check security camera footage for two missing teens, one from Crystal Lake, who have been reported missing and may be in Chicago with an unidentified male.

A second teen has been charged with robbing a woman at gunpoint in downtown Downers Grove last month, prosecutors said.

After some two years of reconstruction, Hobbie Avenue, one of Kankakee's main thoroughfares, is nearing its reopening.

The DeKalb Public Library will host a cheese tasting for community members to sample various international cheeses.

McDonald's, a Chicago-based fast food chain, has a new location coming to the intersection of Plank Road and Route 23 in northern Sycamore.

Opinion: Rural communities are an essential part of DeKalb County’s economic strength and cultural identity, writes Melissa Amedeo of the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation.

DeKalb County-area veterans groups, cities and organizers will host Memorial Day events throughout the county for the public to come together to honor all who’ve died in service to the country. Memorial Day is May 26.

One plan commission member is questioning Plainfield’s Comprehensive Plan and how it relates to the addition of another residential development.

Four Italian nationals accused of operating an electronics counterfeit ring worth more than $570,000 will remain in jail until their next court date.

Both state and international emergency managament associations recently recognized the work of Will County EMA Director Allison Anderson.

Memorial Day is Monday, May 26. Here are some of the events planned to honor United States military personnel who have given their lives in service of their country.

High-speed police pursuits are on the rise. Columnist Tom Weitzel weighs in the risks and rationale for the pursuits

A Colorado juvenile has been accused of robbing a woman at gunpoint in downtown Downers Grove last month.

Lombard residents celebrated the passage from spring to summer Sunday at the annual Lombard Lilac Festival Parade.

Friends and family cheered their graduating loved ones Sunday, May 18, 2025, during Rock Falls High School’s 146th commencement ceremony.

Adults and seniors can learn about insurance and health care decisions during a workshop at the DeKalb Public Library.

The DeKalb Park District is asking the city for permission to build a new $14 million public swimming pool, documents show. It's the latest step as district officials plan an anticipated new pool opening of June 2026.

Though Illinois’ statewide grocery tax is going away come January, Sycamore city residents could still be expected to pay one. The Sycamore City Council will consider a local 1% grocery tax at its Monday meeting.

Kishwaukee College recently recognized 24 students for completing the college’s registered nursing program during a pinning ceremony.

The DeKalb Public Library will host a Home Energy Savings Program informational booth for residents to learn about the program.

Youth Engaged in Philanthropy proudly announced the awarding of $23,753 in grants to support youth-serving projects and programs across DeKalb County.

Shorewood students this month collaborated on a Brave Bags initiative to support individuals with sensory or communication disabilities during emergencies.

The City of Joliet is encouraging Black residents to come out and tell their stories as part of a research initiative to help revitalize the Black community in Will County.

A family celebrated their grandparents' 90th birthdays by in installng a Free Little Library at Patriots Park in Downers Grove

The Sycamore Public Library will host a live demonstration for community members to learn about the art and tradition of Chinese tea.

The Ellwood House Museum recently announced that 23 art pieces created by K-12 DeKalb County students are available for community rental.

Community members are invited to an informational offering in DeKalb this month to learn about public health resources available through the local government.

Seniors and adults are invited to learn about Medicare insurance options during workshops at the DeKalb Public Library.

A Kansas-based bakery chain specializing in gourmet cupcakes recently opened a Sycamore location.

The number of 911 calls from those seeking emergency medical aid in Sycamore is higher than the state average, data shows. “A lot of that is symptomatic of the load that’s in the emergency room,” Fire Chief Bart Gilmore said.

Organizers of the Joliet Area African American Historic Context Study will hold the first of three community interview events on Saturday to collect information relevant to local Black history.

Instead of a jury trial in June, a plea could be coming for a DeKalb man accused of driving under the influence and causing a crash that killed DeKalb County sheriff's deputy Christina Musil, his lawyer said Thursday.

Thousands of people are expected to line Ogden Avenue from Aurora to Chicago Sunday as part of the Hands Across Chicagoland demonstration to protest the Trump administration

Local business members attend the Sauk Vally Favorites party Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Mad Water Saloon in Dixon.

RAMP Disability Resources and Services, which offers services in DeKalb County, will host a Summer Youth Leadership Initiative for disabled youth ages 16 to 22 to build self-advocacy and leadership skills.

The Indian Valley Theatre is accepting registration for its Summer Children’s and Teen Theatre Workshops.

Fewer people called 911 seeking help from the DeKalb Fire Department in 2024 compared to 2023, according to data released this week.

Ahmad Steele, 38, of DeKalb, was sentenced this week by a judge to 45 years in prison for shooting a stranger in the face in West Chicago in 2021.

An Ottawa-based pizzeria is opening a second location in downtown DeKalb, expected to open in June, owner Tim Cottingim said. “It’s a different type of pizza than American-style pizza,” he said.

Looking for something to do this weekend in DeKalb County? There's Stage Coach Players' drama "Radium Girls," Sycamore High School's FFA Plant Sale. Later this month features the 89th annual Genoa Days and KVAL's Northern Illinois Art Show.

A DeKalb man convicted of murdering high school teenager Gracie Sasso-Cleveland in 2023 has new charges after he punched a DeKalb County jail deputy and spit at another, broke a fire sprinkler and damaged jail property, court records allege.

A 22-year-old motorcyclist succumbed to injuries sustained in a Wednesday morning crash on Butterfield Road in Wheaton, authorities said.

The Friends of the Sycamore Library recently named Essie McMahon and Jacqui Williams as the winners of the Sycamore Public Library’s Outstanding Staff Member of the Year 2025.

The DeKalb County History Center recently received an Award of Excellence from the Illinois Association of Museums.

Here’s what’s happening at Somonauk Public Library the rest of May:

The DeKalb County Board on Wednesday will get a chance to comment on a proposal that could add a countywide 1% grocery tax, though not everyone appears for it. A Board committee unanimously opposed the tax last week. A full County Board vote still could happen, however.

Multiple newly-elected officials were sworn in and seated for a packed meeting of the DeKalb City Council Monday. Mayor Cohen Barnes began his second term touting collaboration. "The only way we’re going to be successful is by working together," he said.