Local News

The biggest summer festival in Joliet starts at 3 p.m. Friday and runs through the weekend featuring more than 20 food vendors, just about as many music acts, and a carnival.

Refuse stickers in Geneva will rise 19 cents to $4.32 from the current rate of $4.13, as per the city's five-year contract with its waste hauler.

The Bradley Elementary School District is looking to complete a project to replace light fixtures with brighter, more energy-efficient LED bulbs in its buildings.

A massive 1.5 million-gallon standpipe water tower is being constructed on the south side of Yorkville, only one problem, the site’s weak soil foundation is causing the city a $700,000 headache.

A Downers Grove has switched careers and bought a franchise of Caring Transitions, which assists people in downsizing and relocation.

A Chicago man who was on parole when he was accused of multiple thefts – including stealing Christmas presents from a Crystal Lake church – pleaded guilty Wednesday to burglary from a vehicle.

Joliet has called a special City Council for 9 a.m. Friday to vote on a legal settlement in the disputes between the city, CenterPoint Properties and NorthPoint Development.

Stage 4 prostate cancer survivor Clark Atwater of Richmond raised awareness for men’s health with Advocate Health Care at a recent Chicago Cubs game.

The City of DeKalb has partnered with Family Service Agency of DeKalb County and other service agencies to assist victims displaced in an apartment fire Tuesday. Here's how to help:

The village’s first gaming cafe received final approval of the Bourbonnais board of trustees during their meeting Monday.

Women in St. Charles are invited to learn to protect themselves, build confidence and find a new community during a free class at Misfits Jiujitsu Sunday. “Learn something new, learn how to protect yourself," instructor Sabrina Aiello said.

A fire broke out in the 3400 block of Karen Drive in Joliet earlier this week.

During Monday’s meeting, Bourbonnais trustees approved a 1% grocery tax.

The Glen Ellyn Parks Foundation has launched a fundraising campaign to raise $800,000 to support enhanced amenities in Phase 1 of the Glen Ellyn Downtown Community Park.

With the $100 million Lake Michigan water sourcing project already under construction, the new water coming down the pipeline to Yorkville could come at double the cost over the next five years. To help pay for the project, the city is considering 20% annual hikes for five years.

Downers Grove’s annual Rotary Grove Fest kicks off on Thursday in the downtown area

The domestic battery case against a Joliet police detective could be set for a September trial in Kendall County.

The annual motorcycle run will take off from the Grundy County Fairgrounds in Morris and end at the Middle East Conflicts Wall in Marseilles.

More than two dozen music acts have been announced for this summer's Merchant Street MusicFest, with headliners to include Warren G, Bright Light Social Hour and the All American Throwbacks.

Ottawa continues to move forward with plans for a new wastewater treatment plant, a major infrastructure project aimed at addressing capacity concerns and supporting future growth.

A Kane judge's $100,000-plus defamation lawsuit against a Geneva blogger stalls because process server can't find him. DeKalb judge approved alternative methods of service.

Will County prosecutors filed a petition to keep a Lockport man in jail that alleged he poses a “clear danger to young girls in the community.”

DeKalb Fire Chief Mike Thomas may have answered his final call for service. He's expected to be honored for his 30 years at the DeKalb Fire Department, as he plans to retire, according to the City of DeKalb.

A Woodridge man donated a kidney to a former enabling him to get the organ he desperately needed.

Service League of Crystal Lake celebrates 100 years with a centennial celebration Saturday at the Dole Mansion.

The Kane County Sheriff’s Office is getting a new, niftier robot to help it disable bombs and do other tasks.

Geneva Chamber of Commerce's 75th annual Swedish Days festival opened Wednesday to overcast skies that threatened – then provided – rain. The festival continues through Saturday.

East Dundee trustees reviewed three more potential development options for the former Haeger Potteries site this week after raising concerns about an initial proposal presented in February.

Traffic on Green Street in McHenry will be detoured Thursday morning as McHenry Community High School District 156 upgrades the HVAC system at the Lower Campus.

The Kendall County Highway Department has closed Caton Farm Road just east of Grove Road to all through traffic for a bridge replacement project.

Rainy weather forces cancellation of Woodstock band concert

McHenry County government offices and courts will be closed Thursday for Juneteenth.

Jayne Berhnard, a planner employed by the city of Joliet since 2017, has been promoted to the position of planning director.

The STC Six breweries will launch their 2025 collaborative beer, a West Coast Pilsner benefiting Support Over Stigma, at 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, at Pollyanna Brewing & Distilling in St. Charles.

The city of Joliet has not had an inspector general since Sean Connolly's contract was terminated in January 2024. The city manager announced Wednesday that Stephen DiNolfo has been hired for the job.

More than $3,000 was raised during Electric Lady Lounge's 3rd annual Pride celebration on Saturday, with most of the funds being donated to the Kankakee Area LGBTQ Network and some going toward future drag events.

Several Illinois counties, including Will, Grundy and Kankakee, are under a tornado watch until 7 p.m. Wednesday.

The Ottawa City Council moved ahead with annexing seven more properties in the Fields Hill subdivision on the north side of town and bringing in seven surrounded parcels on the south side during its meeting on Tuesday night.

The DuPage County Sheriff’s Office announced plans for July Fourth traffic enforcement with a focus on impaired and unbuckled drivers.

DeKalb Police Cmdr. Keith Ehrke graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, this month, the DeKalb Police Department announced.

The Glen Ellyn Park District has announced the return of Sensory Swim nights

The Downers Grove Grade School District 58 Board of Education recently appointed three candidates to fill administrative positions.

Pete Wilt will be missed by those he trained as well as his colleagues at the Downers Grove Park District's fitness center

Time wasn’t so kind to the items found in the time capsule buried during Bourbonnais’ centennial celebration back in the summer of 1975.

Area activists with Queer-Oriented Rural Resource Network and other groups said they’re planning a rally Sunday in DeKalb to support transgender people and communities they believe are being intentionally and unfairly targeted by the Trump administration.

The start of the East Riverwalk construction could be delayed until Aug. 1 due to another environmental issue - spawning river redhorse fish.

Free street parking slated to start Sept. 1 in downtown Joliet. Parking in decks and commuter lots still will cost downtown visitors.

A Joliet police officer was bit by a pit bull dog owned by a man who is accused of pointing a rifle at neighbors, police said.

La Salle County Court Appointed Special Advocates will host a summer fundraising luau, Hope on the Harbor, on Saturday, July 26, at Heritage Harbor in Ottawa.

Whole Foods Market will host a grand opening celebration on Wednesday, June 25, at 300 S. Second St. in St. Charles.