News

Matthew Kennedy: The top three issues facing JTHS right now are student discipline, maintaining and updating the physical buildings, and fostering the ongoing development and maintenance of community partnerships

Sam Coffey: I believe proficiency and state test scores are very closely related to school culture. A big obstacle in regard to test scores is student attendance.

Kankakee County Sheriff's investigators make second arrest in January shooting of 19-year-old man in rural Limestone.

The village of Manteno turned to Jasculca Terman Strategic Communications in Chicago to handle public relations for all the planning and board meetings surrounding the zoning change for Gotion.

Bourbonnais Elementary School district listed as one of 100 U.S. school districts to be performing above pre-pandemic levels in both math and reading on the Education Recovery Scorecard.

Manteno is hosting the Legacy Grandparenting Summit 2025 on Feb. 21-22, the nation’s only conference dedicated to Christian grandparenting with purpose

The Outerbridge family, whose son, Caleb, is hospitalized with a rare autoimmune disorder, will be the recipient of funds raised from the Bradley Taco John's Feb. 26 Crunch for a Cause.

The Heritage Prairie solar farm project is still moving forward with expected completion in late 2027.

Students and teachers began using the new 17,160-square-foot addition to Bradley East Elementary School on Jan. 27.

A trial date has been set for Xandria Harris for the death of Bradley Police Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic and seriously wounding of retired Sgt. Tyler Bailey in December 2021.

An assistant professor at Kankakee Community College has received the Illinois Board of Higher Education Nurse Fellowship Grant for 2025.

Rosewood Acres, a new commercial photography studio, opened recently in downtown Kankakee.

Mama Gina Chef, a new Italian restaurant, opens in Bradley

Steve Weber, St. Charles City Council candidate, on keeping the dam: I am not in favor of removing it unless someone can show how it would improve the quality of life for all of St. Charles residents

Lauren Duddles, St. Charles City Council candidate: I would like to see Saint Charles become more walkable and bikeable, and improve accessibility. I would like to have alternative transportation available

Local bakery Cakes & Goodies will be moving to Bourbonnais from their current location inside Northfield Square mall.

Kankakee couple Christina and Juan Sanchez are spreading the word about their child's rare heart disease in the hopes of showing other parents they are not alone.

What are your top priorities for Grafton Township? Sean Cratty: Continue to reduce the levy as needed. We have done this the past 4 years, usually by 5-10 percent

Does Grafton Township have adequate funds needed for roadwork? Dan Ziller Jr.: Yes, our township has consistently had adequate funds for roadwork as providing safe roads is our biggest responsibility.

Tim Carone on his top priority for Algonquin Township: I will work tirelessly to get Grants for aging bridges and infrastructure that need repair

Millie Medendorp: I do not believe that Townships should be consolidated. I believe that when townships are run properly, with the priority to serve it's constituents, they are definitely a benefit to our community.

Richard Yelle on a top priority in Algonquin Township: Replenishing the General Assistance Fund. Providing financial assistance to the needy is one of the primary functions of the township.

Christina Bergbower: We have created these “guidebooks” to map out the Star Innovation Park, the Historical area of Lockport, and up and coming development on Rt. 171 and 9th St, which are the most visible gateways to the city

Clint Hull on redeveloping the Charlestowne Mall property: This is the number one issue our community talks to me about, and while I recognize that it is a tough one to solve, it does not mean that it is unsolvable

Timothy Russ, candidate for Lockport City Council: I would like to see continued economic success and continued business evolvement in our city, while also integrating sustainable solutions to parking, traffic and pedestrian community needs.

Lora Vitek: The dam is important to me as it is to most residents and businesses in our Community. The Fox River is integral to our City and it is incumbent upon us to understand all the facts as it relates to keeping or removing the dam.

Kevin Burns: Economic development and environmental sustainability are not mutually exclusive goals. Geneva's commitment to both goals allow us to strike a balance when courting development and collaborating with interested developers

Top priority for Geneva? Karsten Pawlik: Bring back representative government to the city by restoring the power of the alderman. Currently City Government is upside down with the mayor and staff deciding what to address and vote on.

Mike Shorten: While Townships do provide important services to residents, I believe that there are other structural changes to State Statutes that should be made to improve transparency and oversight, eliminate nepotism and do away with the fiefdoms that exist in some Townships

Leda Drain: I’d like to continue building out the services the township provides that would be useful and convenient for our residents.

Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School has entered the pre-construction phase for the $70 million facilities upgrades that will soon transform the school.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, some options to celebrate around Kankakee County this weekend include a Sweetheart Dance hosted by the Bourbonnais Firefighter’s Association and a speed dating event hosted by the Bradley American Legion.

Ed Muncie, candidate for Campton Hills Village Trustee on his top priority: "First, I want to continue to preserve and protect our semi-rural way of life while promoting responsible growth." Read the full questionnaire here

Frank Binetti, candidate for Campton Hills Village Trustee: "One of the reasons I am running for office is to try and bring unity. not only to the village board but to the community in general."

The Iroquois-Kankakee Regional Office of Education unanimously approved Patricia High as the new superintendent, effective Feb. 28 when current superintendent Frank Petkunas retires.

Matthew Pritz: I will continue to support our strategic plan, which emphasizes the importance of community and parental involvement in the decision-making process.

How can the district improve reading and English proficiency and state test scores? Ziech: I believe that smaller class sizes, particularly in primary grades K-2 with paraprofessionals in each room would make a tremendous difference

Due to inclement weather, a number of schools across Kankakee County will be closed or dismissing early on Wednesday.

Sarah Powers has been in the real estate business for 20 years, starting right after college.

The Kankakee County Sheriff’s Department arrested three men who allegedly invaded a home, tied up the victim and got away with numerous items Monday.

Top priority for Fox Lake? Donny Schmit: Continued controlled development. We are updating our comprehensive plan, engaging in marketing, enhancing our parks and working with developers.

The fourth concert of the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra's 2024-2025 season is called "Music Speaks of Amour" and will feature internationally acclaimed violinist Andrew Sords.

Sean Stochl: My top priority is increasing housing options to accommodate families, retirees, and individuals who want to enjoy the unparalleled recreational resources Fox Lake has to offer

McClatchey: I support well-planned multi-family developments as part of a balanced housing strategy. Read the McHenry City Council candidate's full election questionnaire here

The village of Manteno approved a resolution for an intergovernmental agreement with Kankakee County to provide animal control services.

Doherty: "The Green Street site provides the opportunity for mixed use development. I would envision supporting a proposal that provides retail, residential housing and a small boutique hotel." Read the McHenry City Council candidate's full questionnaire here

About 60 area residents, many holding homemade signs, turned out Sunday afternoon for a rally organized by local lawmakers to ensure Medicaid would maintain its current coverage levels.

A resolution before the DuPage County Board on Tuesday would remove the name of the late Congressman Henry J. Hyde from the county’s Wheaton courthouse and rescind previous approval for a monument there in his honor.

Local teens are invited to a chance to connect, create and celebrate while hanging out with reptiles this Wednesday.

The Coal City boys wrestling team will serve as sectional hosts on Feb. 14, where 14 Coaler wrestlers will compete in their home gym.