The last time O’Hare held the crown was in 2019, but a new parallel runway system helped propel it to No. 1 last year, with 860,015 departures and arrivals.

The honor comes as the airport faces federal scrutiny for an ambitious 2026 summer flight schedule.

“This milestone is both a point of pride and a call to action,” Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Michael McMurray said in a statement.

“O’Hare’s airfield leads the world in capacity, and now we must ensure our terminals, technology and passenger experience rise to meet that standard,” he said. “Continued investment is not optional – it is essential to maintaining Chicago’s global competitiveness.”

Flights at O’Hare grew by 10.8% over 2024, which allowed it to surpass rival Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Atlanta, however, kept its title as the busiest airport for passengers.

O’Hare offers service to nearly 280 destinations this year, and will be adding 43 gates as new concourses open up and a massive Global Terminal is built to replace Terminal 2.

The Federal Aviation Administration stepped in this winter to trim summer operations at O’Hare, concerned that added flights along with concourse construction would “stress the runway, terminal and air traffic control systems at the airport.”

The agency has proposed scaling back to 2,608 daily flights. In comparison, O’Hare topped out at 2,680 flights a day in summer 2025, and the Chicago Department of Aviation had planned for about 3,080 operations this summer on peak days.

The increase was triggered by competitors American and United airlines piling on flights for the upcoming summer vacation season.

Meanwhile, U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth of Hoffman Estates and Dick Durbin of Springfield urged FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford to provide more resources to O’Hare in a phone conversation on Tuesday.

O’Hare is “critical to our country’s aviation system,” Duckworth said in a statement.

“Any flight reductions the FAA and U.S. Department of Transportation decide upon must be fair, justified and have a clear end date. The FAA and U.S. DOT must also prioritize O’Hare for federal grants, air traffic controller staffing and modernization upgrades,” she said.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers in the House voted 82-27 to pass House Bill 5511, also known as the Children’s Social Media Safety Act. Gov. JB Pritzker proposed the bill, which is designed to make social media scrolling less addictive for children.

“What this bill is really designed to address is the weaponization of your data, your personal habits in a way that keeps kids glued and addicted to the screen,” said bill sponsor state Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, D-Glenview.

The bill does not limit social media use to certain ages but does require platforms to allow users setting up an account to input their age, which would trigger certain settings on the device for users under 18 years old.

The bill mandates that information used to generate a social media feed cannot be “persistently associated with the user’s device” and based on content the user previously shared or interacted with. Users must follow the creator of the content or person who shares it to see the content in their feed. Additional content could only be provided to the user when they search for it.

The bill would also require social media platforms to have default privacy settings for minors that would stop addictive feeds, location sharing and transactions with digital currency. Platforms would also be prohibited from sending notifications to minor users between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Companies that violate the law would have to pay fines.

The changes would take effect in 2028, and despite cracking down in some areas, Gong-Gershowitz said there won’t be restrictions on the content kids see.

“This bill does not include any content moderation or allow parents to monitor what children are doing online,” Gong-Gershowitz said. “It simply targets a harmful design feature like addictive algorithms that are designed to keep kids online. Children can still see the same content.”

Pritzker called on lawmakers during his February State of the State address to advance regulations.

“Everywhere I go, parents tell me one of their deepest concerns is the impact social media is having on their kids,” Pritzker said in his address. “It’s a challenge unique to this generation. And it is made worse by the perverse incentive that social media companies seem to have to keep kids scrolling no matter what the cost to their physical and mental health.”

Tackling children’s addictions to social media has been a bipartisan priority in Springfield in recent years and nine House Republicans joined Democrats in advancing the measure to the Senate.

“Up until this point, we haven’t had a lot of guardrails when it comes to social media use in our state,” Rep. Nicole La Ha, R-Lemont, told Capitol News Illinois. “Being a mom of school-aged children, I think it’s really important that we start to have those conversations.”

La Ha said she is looking forward to using parental controls to make sure the content her kids see on their feeds is appropriate for their age.

Other Republicans said they supported the concept of the bill but would vote against it until more changes were made in the Senate.

Pritzker is also pushing lawmakers to tax social media companies based on the number of users they have in Illinois.

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.

Markea L. Brown, 33, of Milwaukee, made her first court appearance on the two separate cases Tuesday. She is charged in each case with retail theft of more than $300, according to criminal complaints filed in McHenry County court by Crystal Lake and McHenry police.

About 6:45 p.m. Feb. 9, Brown allegedly stole “various fragrances” valuing $1,452 from the McHenry store; about an hour later she allegedly stole “several female perfumes and male colognes” from Ulta in Crystal Lake, according to the complaints.

Assistant State’s Attorney Garrett Miller argued Brown should be detained pretrial in McHenry County jail because otherwise she would continue to commit retail thefts and is a flight risk. Other than stealing from retailers, she has no reason to return to McHenry County, Miller said.

The allegations are “part of a string of thefts ... part of an ongoing criminal business in the Wisconsin and Illinois area,” Miller said, adding Brown wore a mask during the alleged thefts and then fled.

“It’s not something that is going to stop in the near future. [There is] no reason to believe she will return ... for court,” Miller said.

He also said Brown has been to prison previously for retail thefts and currently has two pending cases in Wisconsin and Illinois. The alleged crimes “constitute an ongoing criminal enterprise,” he said.

Wisconsin court records show Brown was convicted of retail theft in 2021, 2020, 2018 and 2015 in Milwaukee County and in 2017 in Kenosha County. According to Cook County, records she has been convicted in Northbrook for retail theft.

However, Assistant Public Defender Kim Messer said Brown does not live too far away to come to court and should be released pretrial. She has no history of not appearing in other cases and turned herself in when she learned of the charges in McHenry County, Messer said.

Judge Cynthia Lamb released Brown pretrial. She is allowed to return to her home in Milwaukee and only travel between Illinois and Wisconsin for court. Lamb also ordered Brown have no contact with Ulta stores.

The winning students were selected from more than 300 submissions in the fields of fiction, poetry and nonfiction writing. The association celebrated the dedication of local teachers and volunteers who have helped made the contest a success over the decades.

“I was so impressed with the story telling, the vividness, and the emotion in each of these creative works,” regional association president Anita Walls said in a release by the organization. “It was truly an honor and a privilege to recognize these young authors in front of their peers, families and teachers.”

The selected winners included the students Sarah Bess, Emmelene Schultz, Riley Carter, Autumn O’Brien, Griffin Blackford, Natalie Roppo, Rylee Rae Sheridan and Raina Rodriguez. Other winners included Mikey Clements, Luca Karnick, Claire Gillie, Audrey Gross, Genevieve Peterson, Emily Wilkes, Jade Fricot, Elizabeth Barna, Kaela Pacheco and Yalitza Alarcon.

The event served as an opportunity for the students to be inspired by local St. Charles author, Kim Van Sickle, who shared her passion on writing and provided insight behind her craft. Van Sickle is a retired educator and library director.

“We sincerely thank all the teachers and parents for supporting their children’s interest in writing,” the association said in the release.

The association also recognized contest co-directors Mary Ann Stearn and Julieann Shourie for their “hard work and tremendous efforts in support of this tradition.”

The association is a nonprofit that advocates for fairness and success for women and girls in education, sports, equal pay and leadership. The organization lobbies for supportive legislation and supports graduate women’s career success through around $6 million in grants and fellowships, according to the release.

Locally in the Tri-Cities area, the organization hosts speakers and events, such as book groups and social outings.

You can learn more about the organization by visiting, sites.google.com/site/bgstcaauw/.

Adams, now 24, made his first appearance Thursday in La Salle County Circuit Court on a new batch of post-trial motions. He applied for and was granted the services of the Public Defender’s Office and will next appear, with counsel, on July 9.

Adams had previously appealed his murder conviction, which was upheld in 2021. Now, he alleges in a handwritten pleading various errors at trial. Barring a reversal and new trial, Adams will be paroled in 2053. He would be 51 years of age.

Adams was one of three people charged with murder following the fatal shooting of Maria Dellatore of Streator. According to testimony at Adams’ murder trial, he and two cohorts attempted to rob a low-level drug dealer of cash and drugs. Dellatore had returned home during the melee and was fatally struck in the exchange of gunfire.

At trial, Adams’ lawyers argued there were multiple shots fired and that no witness could categorically say who shot and killed Dellatore.

However, one of his fellow murder suspects, Hashim Waite, agreed to testify against Adams in exchange for a plea on a reduced charge of home invasion and a sentence of 30 years. (A third suspect, getaway driver Ashanti Roberts, was convicted of murder as an accessory and was sentenced to 35 years.)

Adams was 16 years old when he was arrested for murder. He is, however, neither the youngest person charged with murder in La Salle County history nor is he the youngest convicted.

Mond, 29, also listed in La Salle, could have faced up to 50 years for her part in a 2024 drug seizure that yielded nearly a kilogram of cocaine along with a loaded firearm.

When she appeared Thursday in La Salle County Circuit Court, however, Mond was presented with a reduced count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a minimum of six years.

When offered a chance to speak, Mond apologized to her family, friends and employer for the hardship she caused.

The reduced charge also makes Mond eligible for day-for-day credit for good conduct. With about two months’ credit for time served, Mond could be released from the Illinois Department of Corrections in late 2028 or early 2029.

Mond was charged on April 25, 2024, after the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Narcotics Team raided her apartment and located a safe. Inside was a substance that field-tested positive for cocaine. At the time of the bust, however, drug agents tallied the cocaine at 900 grams, or about 2 pounds.

La Salle County prosecutors disclosed Thursday in open court that Mond had agreed to testify against 40-year-old Robert Wright, who was charged following the cocaine seizure but also for possession of a 9mm pistol recovered during the raid. Wright recently took a negotiated plea for 12 years.

The new curriculum mandate is one of dozens of measures that have advanced in the General Assembly this week ahead of a Friday deadline for moving bills from one chamber to the other. The deadline is a key milestone in the legislature’s annual push toward its May 31 adjournment.

The Illinois House voted Wednesday to pass House Bill 4372, which would amend a portion of the school code that defines how United States history is taught in schools.

That law already requires history classes to include the study of contributions from “African Americans and other ethnic groups, including but not restricted to, Native Americans, Polish, Lithuanian, German, Hungarian, Irish, Bohemian, Russian, Albanian, Italian, Czech, Slovak, French, Scots, Hispanics, Asian Americans, etc.”

The bill would insert “Latin Americans” in that list, just before “Hispanics.”

Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado, the bill’s lead sponsor, said the term “Latin American,” or “Latine,” is more inclusive than “Hispanics” because it encompasses people from all of South America, including Brazil, and not just people from Spanish-speaking backgrounds.

Some Republicans, including Rep. Brad Halbrook, of Shelbyville, called the bill a mandate on local schools that would ultimately raise people’s property taxes.

“We have the highest real estate property taxes in the nation,” he said. “This could continue to increase our property taxes when our residents or constituents or citizens are asking from some level of relief.”

But Rep. Laura Faver Dias, D-Grayslake, argued that American history education too often centers on the study of white males. “That isn’t history,” she said. “That’s a fairy tale, and this mandate will not raise your property taxes.”

The bill passed 74-34. It next moves to the Senate for consideration. If it becomes law, it would take effect in the 2027-28 school year.

The Illinois House passed legislation this week that takes another step in transferring authority over early childhood education and services to the new Department of Early Childhood.

House Bill 5099 would transfer the responsibility for conducting criminal background checks for child care workers to the new agency from the Department of Children and Family Services, beginning in 2027.

Gov. JB Pritzker called for creation of the new agency in 2024 to consolidate a vast array of programs and services currently spread across several agencies under one roof. Those range from managing a nearly $750 million block grant program for preschools around the state to the licensing and regulation of child care facilities and workers.

The new agency is scheduled to become fully operational in the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1. Its budget, still being negotiated in the General Assembly, is expected to total $4.4 billion from all funds, including $2 billion in general revenue funds. Most of that represents money currently allocated to other agencies.

Many lawmakers have been especially focused on the issue of background checks, saying they frequently hear from constituents who complain about the time it takes to complete them. But Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, the bill’s lead sponsor, said she’s optimistic the process will improve under the new agency.

“Under the new system, background checks will stay with the individual rather than with the center or location, so that will allow them to move from location to location, or even employer to employer,” she said. “It will also allow them to do background checks in advance of getting a position, so their background check can be ready by the time they’re hired, rather than then waiting a month before their background check goes through and they can work.”

The bill passed unanimously out of the House. It now awaits action by the Senate before being sent to Pritzker’s desk for his signature.

Hours after a federal judge ruled that Ticketmaster’s parent company operated a monopoly on event ticket selling, the House passed House Bill 4984 to ban speculative ticket selling.

Speculative tickets are event tickets that sellers offer even though they don’t have a certainty of obtaining that ticket. Consumers often don’t know they’ve bought one, and could lose out on thousands of dollars in travel and hotel purchases for an event they can’t attend.

“There’s apparently an Usher concert that’s going to be happening in Chicago,” Rep. Nabeela Syed, D-Palatine, said. “There are event ticket resellers attempting to sell these tickets on the basis that they might somehow obtain them without a clear pathway of doing so.”

The bill passed unanimously and now moves to the Senate.

House Bill 4540 would create a legal pathway for separated couples or roommates to go to court to fight for custody of an animal.

Custody of pets is already an item for debate in divorce cases for married couples, but bill sponsor Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, said nonmarried cohabitants also need a way to determine custody of a pet that may have been jointly owned.

“If you are in a long-term relationship and you break up in an amicable way, then you might not need this,” Hernandez said. “However, there are certain cases — we’ve seen it a lot in domestic violence cases — where they use the animal as leverage and unfortunately those are the situations that we’re trying to prevent.”

The bill would allow courts to consider who has been responsible for caring for the pet, paying for vet visits, emotional bonds between a pet and human, the living environment and documentation on who bought the animal.

The bill passed the House 72-38 and now heads to the Senate.

Senate Bill 3465 would require construction sites with 10 or more workers and a worker who menstruates to have a separate bathroom on site for the woman to use. Menstrual hygiene products would also have to be available for free. Accommodations would also have to be available for lactation.

“Women and anyone who menstruates have a right to care for their bodies in a dignified and sanitary way,” bill sponsor Sen. Graciela Guzmán, D-Chicago, said in a statement. “Whether in the office or on the job site, we need common sense accommodations for those who menstruate and those who are lactating.”

The bill passed the Senate 37-14 with Republicans arguing the bill would raise already high construction costs. It now moves to the House.

House Bill 4788 would require students in secondary schools to have the opportunity to learn CPR on breasted manikins to simulate the live-saving practice on women.

“People with breasts are 27% less likely to receive bystander CPR than people without breasts,” bill sponsor Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, said. “And largely due to this disparity, men have a 23% higher likelihood of survival after a cardiac arrest.”

The bill passed 73-38, with Republicans expressing concerns about the cost of purchasing supplies for school districts. The bill now heads to the Senate.

Under House Bill 5492, insurance providers would have to cover up to a year of hormone therapy when prescribed. The bill came out of situations in which insurers were denying claims for yearlong supplies of medication, said bill sponsor Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville.

“I get frustrated with insurance companies when they don’t let patients and doctors work together for what’s the best way to access care,” Stuart said. “Pharmacists have the authority to dispense the full 12 months, that already exists.”

The bill passed 74-37 along party lines.

The House passed a bears bill, but it does not involve the football team. House Bill 4255 would ban traveling animal acts from using cougars, jaguars, leopards, lions, tigers, bears and primates. State law already bans acts with elephants. The bill passed 75-33 and awaits Senate consideration.

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.

“We moved here about 25 years ago, for a totally different reason,” Strylowski said. “We bought several acres here, and I was going to do something else that didn’t pan out. We asked ourselves, ‘What are we going to do with all of this land that we have?’”

The answer came soon enough as the couple explored different possibilities. As it turned out, nature – more specifically, the Kankakee River – played an important part in the equation.

“We did some research and came to realize that the soils here are perfect for growing grapes,” Strylowski said, pointing out the immediate area is filled with rich, sandy soil attributed to melted glaciers in the last ice age. Soil conditions on the Strylowskis’ property are similar to those of Napa Valley.

By 2008, the seeds for what became Mistie Hill Vineyard were planted, and the rest, as the saying goes, is history.

“We planted our first vines that year,” Strylowski said. “It takes a couple of years for the vines to mature and get a useful crop out of them.”

Mistie Hill Vineyard was recognized for Excellence in Hospitality in The Daily Journal’s 2026 Progress Awards – recognition of the Strylowskis’ commitment to cultivating a warm, welcoming environment within their shop.

Several types of vines – including St. Croix and Brianna – were planted during that pivotal first year. By 2010, the initial harvest was ready, and the couple began the wine production process.

“It came out great, and we just continued expanding on that in the next several years, planting more and more and more,” Strylowski said. “Now we have about 3,000 vines, altogether.”

While Mistie Hill’s origins stretch back to 2008, the local winery’s metamorphosis into its current form as a customer-facing shop is more recent. Initially, the Strylowskis planned on selling their wine wholesale, but they eventually pivoted.

“It wasn’t going at the pace that we wanted it to,” Strylowski said of the wholesale model. “We decided in 2024 that we were going to build this tasting room.”

Once they solidified their business plan, the couple got to work on their new facility, which opened its doors a year ago. The response, thus far, has been overwhelmingly positive.

“It’s been great; people come here from all over the area,” Strylowski said. “We get a lot of people coming in and saying, ‘Wow, this place is beautiful.’ They couldn’t imagine that anything like this could be out in the country, out in Custer Park.”

While pouring a top-quality glass of wine is at the heart of Mistie Hill’s mission statement, so, too, is the service. Since opening their doors to the tasting room, Strylowski said he and Debbie have made it their goal to take any preconceived pretentiousness out of wine tasting.

“We do make anyone who walks through the door feel like they’re coming into their second home,” he said. “We like to treat people like family.”

While the couple freely shares their insight into the nearly two-decade-long journey of winemaking, they ultimately want to put consumers in the driver’s seat of their tasting experience.

“We like to hear from people about their preferences and what they like,” Strylowski said. “We have them tell us what they like, and then we gear our menu toward them. They really appreciate that, and usually they walk away with something that they enjoy.”

Strylowski said he and Debbie are heartened by the community’s response to Mistie Hill Vineyard, which has become a popular attraction within the otherwise quiet confines of Custer Park.

“We have a lot of repeat customers,” he said. “They come in, and they keep coming back. I think that’s a testament to how friendly we are with the customers, and how we make them feel welcome here.”

The Strylowskis have a number of goals ahead to make Mistie Hill an even bigger part of Custer Park – and beyond – with several specific initiatives in store as 2026 continues to unfold.

“We’ve begun booking private events,” Strylowski said, pointing to one example that has already taken hold. “We’ll have people coming to us, wanting to host baby showers, wedding showers, graduations and other special events. We’d like to expand on that a little more.”

Other plans, he indicated, include partnerships with local park districts for vineyard and winery tours, collaboration with the Will County Farm Bureau for agritourism events, and work with school districts that have agriculture programs within their curriculum.

“It was a lot of trial and error,” Strylowski said of Mistie Hill’s evolution. “It’s come a long way, and we’ve won several awards in competitions, which is gratifying as well.”

For more information, visit mistiehillvineyard.com.

The local Democrats are calling the fundraiser the “Sixteen Seventy-Four Candidate Social” because it includes party candidates running for the U.S. House District 16 and Illinois 74th House District seats.

Those who attend the social will get a chance to meet Paul Nolley, a Democrat running for the U.S. Congress in the 16th District. Nolan Kemp, who is running to represent the 74th District in the Illinois House, will be available, too.

Alley-Loop Saloon and Deli in Dixon will provide the food. The Village Bakery, Oregon, will deliver desserts.

David J. Bally and Chance Munroe, two candidates for Lee County Board, also will attend.

Candidate comments will start about 5:30 p.m.

For more information about the candidates and the “Sixteen Seventy-Four Candidate Social,” contact the Lee County Democrats, Box 255, Dixon, IL 61021, or call 815-878-4230.

Drs. Marcia Jones and Nancy Tran of CGH Medical Center were selected for the Crete Dillon Bowman Award, which is presented for community leadership. Sam Kersey, Amanda O’Brien, Danielle O’Neal and Maddison Parham were nominated.

Jones, a family medicine physician, and Tran, an internal medicine physician, identified a gap in women’s health care in the Sauk Valley area and in late 2024 co-founded CGH’s menopause and sexual health clinic at 15 W. Third St. in Sterling, YWCA Executive Director Rebecca Muñoz-Ripley said when presenting the award.

Megan Stanley, an agriculture teacher at Sterling High School, was selected for the Jane Reid Keefer Award, which is presented for achievements in medical, legal, social service, teaching and nonprofit careers. Katrina Cornwell, Amanda Eichmann, Kelli Full, Megan Grove, Jana Jacobs and Alisha Hollowell were nominated.

At SHS, Stanley also serves as FFA Chapter adviser and leads their annual Farmapalooza event in which booths are set up by chapter members to teach attendees about agriculture.

Muñoz-Ripley said Stanley’s work “inspires students in a male-dominated field.”

Bethany Megill, an administration assistant at Sterling Federal Bank’s investment center, was selected for the L. L. Ely Award, which is presented to those who demonstrate excellence in clerical fields. Lindsay Good and Aleshia Johannsen were nominated.

LeAndra Hartman, a facilitator of the Whiteside Area Career Center’s CEO program, was selected for the Pearl Woods Award, which is presented for achievements in business and industry. Kaitlyn Blum, Lauren Roth and Abbie Wolf were nominated.

The CEO program, established in 2013, is a hands-on business course offered to junior and senior high school students at WACC member schools. It involves visits to local businesses, a mentor program and a final project where students create their own business.

Hartman, as a facilitator of that program, has strengthened “the local business pipeline” and she “continues to shape confident and capable leaders,” Muñoz-Ripley said.

Ashley Richter, executive director of United Way of Lee County, was selected for the Louise Bittorf Sullivan Award, which is presented to a woman who inspires others. Tygen Bausman, Dr. Odile Blazquez, Clara Harris, Sarah Partington and Nora Rodriguez were nominated.

With United Way, Richter has implemented various programs such as Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a free literacy program founded by Parton, which provides a free, age-appropriate book for children up to age five each month, Muñoz-Ripley said.

Madison Krum, a Sauk Valley Community College student, was selected for the Young Woman of Tomorrow Award, which is presented to a woman between the ages of 15 and 22 who has demonstrated exceptional leadership potential. Rhaelynn Chism, Dani Lovett and Briah Merriman were nominated.

At SVCC, Krum serves as student trustee on the college’s board, keeping “students informed and engaged,” Muñoz-Ripley said.

Krum is a student worker in SVCC’s Financial Aid Office and an active member of the business club and Phi Theta Kappa, an international academic honor society.

The YWCA is a nonprofit organization that provides advocacy, counseling and other support services to marginalized groups and survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Its 43rd annual achievement luncheon honored award recipients and the nominees. This year’s theme was “The Power of Her.”

The popular board game is brought to life in a musical. The world’s best-known suspects invite the audience to help solve the mystery. Audience members select the cards secretly revealing who killed Mr. Boddy, in what room, and with what weapon. One hard-nosed detective attempts to unravel the merry mayhem.

“Comic antics, witty lyrics and a beguiling score carry the investigation from room to room to catch the culprit,” according to a news release. “With 216 possible endings and the audience playing along, this is a delightful and colorful crowd-pleaser.”

The show will be presented on May 1, 2, 3, 8 and 9 at PACT’s home in the Old Polo Town Hall at 117 N. Franklin Ave. in Polo. Tickets are available online at www.polotheatre.org or at the door. For more information email info@polotheatre.org.

This year’s beneficiary is the Heart of a Hero Award, a scholarship created in memory of Alexxis McKerrow, according to the morrissuperherorun.org.

McKerrow was a caring and compassionate young woman, reads the website.

“She was a truly a gift and a blessing to her family, friends and everyone fortunate enough to know her.”

The scholarship will be awarded to a student who shows true heroism through empathy, acceptance and everyday kindness, who exemplifies the values Alexxis lived by: compassion, resilience and the courage of being true to oneself.

To register, visit morrissuperherorun.org. There is also a 1K race that begins at 10 a.m.

The three-phase project is nearing completion of its first phase, which is a new large apparatus bay expansion on the west side of the original station. Vehicles were moved into the new bay this week and concrete out front is nearly completed, with more concrete work behind the station to follow.

Phase two has begun and will involve a new dorm room area and bathrooms in the old existing bay. Drywall work has started and Knoup hopes furnishing and move-in will take place by June 1. Phase three involves a remodel of the existing kitchen, day room and two bedrooms, which will start in June. After completion, an open house will take place in August or September, Knoup said.

The project is about a month behind schedule due to weather and receipt of materials. The project is proceeding within budget and contingency funds have not been used.

“Construction is still making things hectic and busy, but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Knoup said. “Moving the trucks into the new bays was a major milestone and it meant phase two was starting to ramp up. We’re starting to breathe easier with things coming together. We’ve seen huge improvement this week by moving apparatus to the larger area. Our trucks now don’t look as big as they did in our old, smaller bays. We have an improved ability to clean and maintain trucks now. It makes things much easier.”

Ten years ago when Knoup came to the OFPD, the district was all-volunteer and did not handle EMS calls. It now handles EMS calls and moved to two full-time firefighter/paramedics per shift before expanding to its current three full-time firefighter/paramedics per shift model. Those changes necessitated the expansion, he said.

“These improvements were really needed,” Knoup said. “Currently we have two very small bedrooms and a small kitchen area. This will increase morale and give them more space to get work done. It will also consolidate our buildings and we won’t have to go 2.5 blocks to get our boat when there is a water rescue. That will save minutes, and minutes count on a water rescue call. That can be a life-saving difference.”

Ten years ago before EMS service, the OFPD was running 300-400 calls per year. This year, it’s on track to see 1,300-1,400 calls. That increase has required more personnel, and volunteers across the fire and EMS industries have decreased, Knoup said. OFPD has 10 full-time staff members and about 14 volunteers.

Built in the mid-1980s, the OFPD station was not built to handle the amount of personnel and apparatus it has currently, Knoup said.

“It’s really important that the fire station be built for today,” Knoup said. “The station was not meant to be lived in every day. Now it will be. It will be built for today and the next 20-30 years. We have three full-time firefighter/paramedics each day, but this expansion will be built for up to seven. If we see growth, we’ll be ready.”

Knoup said the OFPD’s firefighter/paramedics are excited about the renovation and expansion, which will see them have more dorm space. Excitement about the project has been seen in the community as well, he said.

“People stop by and ask about the project and they’re excited,” Knoup said. “I’ve given people small tours of the work. We really appreciate that interest and support.”

At a City Council meeting this week, city leaders took a step forward in their plans to push for a train service, entering into a consulting agreement with TY Lin International Great Lakes, Inc. DeKalb city officials have long pursued ways to push for an expanded Metra service or commuter rail that could connect the city to Chicago.

TY Lin International Great Lakes has been tasked with conducting a Planning and Environmental Leakages Study for the Union Pacific rail corridor between Elburn and DeKalb.

Mayor Cohen Barnes said he’s excited about the progress being made.

“It’s moving forward like a locomotive, really slow at first,” Barnes said, joking.

The city previously had another study conducted in 2023 to determine the feasibility of bringing a commuter rail service to DeKalb. In it, the city identified potential opportunities in the 1,257% increase in growth noted in its bus ridership from 2019 to 2025, servicing commuters between DeKalb and Elburn, according to city documents. City staff said those annual bus ridership levels in 2019 amounted to a little more than 3,100 and in 2025 rose to about 43,000.

The new rail study is intended to address rail safety, environmental and community impacts, intermodal connectivity, economic feasibility, and coordination with regional plans, according to city documents.

With council approval this week, the city can begin future National Environmental Policy Act processes and position itself for potential Federal Transit Administration grant opportunities.

Third Ward Alderman Tracy Smith urged the council for its support.

Smith, a retired DeKalb police officer who works for Voluntary Action Center, a regional transportation provider for the elderly and people with disabilities, when he’s not serving out his role as an alderman.

“This is huge that we’ve got [Illinois Department of Transportation] on board,” Smith said. “[As] someone who lives in this world, this is critical.”

For years, there has been talk at City Council meetings about the idea of bringing a commuter rail to town.

At this week’s council meeting, city leaders voted to authorize a consulting agreement with TY Lin International Great Lakes to help move along plans for such a service.

That firm was selected from a pool of three for council consideration after having amassed the highest ranking score based on experience, technical approach, responsiveness, schedule, and cost, city documents show.

The city intends to rely on an IDOT transit planning grant in the amount of $400,000 to make it happen, city documents show. DeKalb will also be responsible for contributing $100,000 in matching local funds.

Fourth Ward Alderman Justin Carlson expressed his support for the project.

“Like Alderman Smith said, working with IDOT half of my life, you don’t wait while it’s hot,” Carlson said. “If the money’s out there, then you have to get it going. If not, you will be left.”

DeKalb residents Ash Rootes and Natalie Carrillo have teamed up to rally in aid of the owner of Class VI wine bar, Tom Sherman and his family.

In a recent social media post Sherman said he and his wife could use the community’s help.

“On Easter, we discovered that my wife has a brain tumor,” Sherman wrote. “She had surgery and they were able to remove the most aggressive part of it, but there is still more on her brain stem that they are not able to remove. She will be getting chemo and radiation to finish off that part.”

Sherman made a plea to the community for its support.

“I am not looking for charity, I am looking for your business,” Sherman wrote. “Labor costs are going to go up as I lean on my outstanding staff to cover for me while I spend the bulk of my time at the hospital. If you could find it in yourselves to swing by and purchase a bottle of wine, I would really appreciate it.”

In response, Rootes and Carrillo are staging what they call a “Community Support Day” to benefit the wine bar. The event is open to all and will take place from noon to midnight April 18 at Class VI, 214 E. Lincoln Highway.

Sherman did not comment, deferring all questions to Rootes and Carrillo.

Carrillo said she’s excited to show her support for the owner of the wine bar.

“My husband and I, for date night, enjoy the cocktails,” Carrillo said. “He’s a good mixologist.”

Being a regular patron of the wine bar and former business owner herself, Carrillo grew inspired to help the owner a short time after seeing his social media post asking the community for help.

“It really resonated with me,” Carrillo said. “It was simple just asking for community support through his business.”

In the past, Class VI has shown a commitment to supporting area nonprofit organizations and charities with giveback events where a portion of any sales goes to support local causes.

Carrillo said she hopes people in the community show their support for the wine bar.

“I really believe it’s important to care about causes, even if they don’t directly affect you,” Carrillo said.

Carrillo said they’re hoping for a strong turnout at Class VI this Saturday.

“We would like a lot of memberships that day,” she said. “Roughly 200 would be great. I really enjoy his wine memberships. It’s two bottles, and then you also get to enjoy his wine tasting, and he gets to pick the bottles out for you.”

Rootes said she hopes it’s bottom-up for many this Saturday at Class VI.

“We don’t want them to have a single drip of wine left,” Rootes said.

Carrillo stressed the importance of supporting local.

“Sometimes people complain that there aren’t things to do in DeKalb,” she said. “This is such a unique and cool concept. I would love for it to stay.”

Rootes echoed that sentiment.

“We, as a community, need to support small businesses so that we can keep them in our downtown area, in our community,” Rootes said. “This is a great way to support a business.”

The 2026 Community Expo & Job Fair will open to the public at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Sycamore Park District Community Center, 480 Airport Road.

The public portion of the event will last two hours, but part of the fair will begin before the public arrives. Starting at 10 a.m., representatives of participating businesses will be given an hour to mingle among themselves before the event opens to the public, according to the Sycamore Chamber.

While the deadline to register as a vendor at the annual expo and job fair has already passed, all are welcome to attend the expo and job fair. There is no cost for admission, and parking is free, according to the chamber.

Those who attend the expo, which the Sycamore Chamber described as a family event where the public can meet local business owners, will be able to do a handful of activities besides learning about their community.

Expo goers will have the chance to purchase a ticket for a giveaway raffle, children will be able to play games, branded swag will be handed out, and samples of The Treehouse Pie Company treats will be offered.

Richard Jones, 53, is charged with two counts of domestic battery, Class 2 felonies, a criminal complaint in the McHenry county court show.

Jones made his initial court appearance Wednesday, where Judge Cynthia Lamb found he was a danger and denied his pretrial release from the county jail.

On Thursday, Judge Tiffany Davis granted the state’s motion to revoke his pretrial release on the case in August in which he was charged with driving while his license was suspended. That suspension was the resulting of previous convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the indictment in that case shows.

On Tuesday, during a verbal argument with a woman, Jones grabbed and scratched her and pushed her onto a couch, then pressed a wooden dowel against her neck, according to Lamb and the criminal complaint.

He then left, “only to return later banging on the sliding glass door,” Lamb said in the detention order.

Jones “has a long criminal history including domestic batteries and violations of orders of protection” involving the same alleged victim in his current case, according to Lamb, who also said Jones has had 29 convictions, “three of which were felonies.”

Court records show multiple cases involving alleged drunk driving, domestic battery and driving on revoked drivers license.

The Earth Day litter and park cleanup and community shred events will both take place on Saturday, April 25.

The cleanup will be at Montgomery Dam Park from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. The free, drive-thru shred event will be at the Montgomery Police Department from 9 a.m. to noon, or until trucks reach capacity.

“What better way to celebrate Earth Day than cleaning up and recycling,” Hanson said in a news release from his office.

“Our Community in Action Clean-Up is a chance to spend time outside with friends and neighbors while cleaning up our parks and trails. And our community shred event is an opportunity to recycle old documents and donate to the Illinois Special Olympics. I look forward to seeing everyone next Saturday,” he said.

The Fox Valley Park District is hosting the Earth Day Community in Action Clean-Up to help protect the environment along the Fox River and in local parks.

All are welcome to join. Interested volunteers can reserve their spot through the Fox Valley Park District website.

The Community Shred event is co-sponsored by Hanson, the Montgomery Police Department, the Village of Montgomery, and Earthmover Credit Union.

Attendees must stay in their vehicle, and recycling materials must be easily accessible from the back seat or the trunk. Only paper documents will be accepted for safe, secure shredding and recycling. Donations are welcome, and will benefit the Illinois Special Olympics.

The gas station and convenience store are proposed for the southwest corner of East Algonquin Road and Route 25 near the Kane County line. The vacant 9-acre lot sits across the street from a Mobil gas station and neighbors the Atomic Express Car Wash to the west.

The Tulsa, Oklahoma-based company has 10 stores in the surrounding Chicago area, with a goal to have over 100 stores over the next decade, Ali Bukhres of QuikTrip said. A location recently opened on Randall Road in Elgin.

The chain is not to be confused with Kwik Trip, which is prominent in Wisconsin. Bukhres said the name changes to Kwik Star if they are in the same state as QuikTrip.

The plan is to build an approximately 5,300-square-foot building with 16 fueling stations and 43 parking spaces. The 24-hour convenience store specializes in grab-and-go and made-to-order food options, including pizza, tacos, donuts and sub sandwiches, Bukhres said.

Algonquin Planning and Zoning commissioners unanimously approved recommending the plan to the village board. The petition will next go to the village’s committee of the whole.

Last year, the preliminary planned-unit developed was approved by the Village Board in a 4-2 vote, according to village meeting minutes.

Since the preliminary plan, the Illinois Department of Transportation has denied direct access to the site from Route 25. Access points are planned for Algonquin Road and Russet Road.

Village staff recommends prohibiting delivery trucks from entering and exiting the site on Russet Road, which feeds into the Glenloch subdivision.

Will County judges in the last two weeks have issued two court orders forcing the county board’s hands on the solar project.

Will County Board Republican Leader Jim Richmond at one point described the county board as being “handcuffed, shackled and maybe muzzled, too” on solar issues because of state law aimed at accelerating the development of alternative energy.

The board approved several solar projects with the advice of the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office that members could be put in jail or fined if they contradicted a court order mandating approval.

The board, however, did send a proposed 6,100-acre Pride of the Prairie project back to its Planning and Zoning Commission after Judge Victoria Breslan ruled Tuesday that the commission should have allowed opponents of the plan to make their case with evidence and cross-examination at a public hearing.

Pride of the Prairie is proposed by Earthrise Energy, which did get a narrow-vote approval from the county board for a separate 2,400-acre Plum Valley Solar project. That development will place solar panels in farm fields in areas running through Crete, Monee, Washington and Will townships.

The board voted 10-9 with one member abstaining in favor of the Plum Valley plan with opposition coming largely from Republican members who represent rural districts where solar-farm development has become a major issue.

“These things are contentious issues, but we as county board members have to protect the people,” Richmond, R-Mokena, said at one point in the county board meeting during lengthy debates over solar issues.

Thirty-eight people spoke to the board on solar developments during a public comment period.

Solar supporters outnumbered opponents by a 3-1 margin.

Supporters included eight employees or associates of Earthrise Energy and many construction union members speaking out on the project because of the jobs it has to offer.

The court-ordered projects that the board approved included solar plans for Channahon, Green Garden, New Lenox, Florence and Troy townships.

Will County Judge Ben Braun issued a court order last week that the board, which previously rejected the projects, approve them by April 17 to comply with state law.

Jose M. Aguilera, 35, has been formally charged in Ogle County with two counts of aggravated battery of a pregnant person, a Class 3 felony; two counts of domestic battery, bodily harm, a misdemeanor; and interference with reporting domestic violence, also a misdemeanor, according to court records.

According to the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched at 12:55 a.m. April 13, to the area of East Fisher Road and Honeysuckle Lane in Rochelle, for a report of a man dragging a woman by her hair.

Deputies located the man and woman, and after conducting an investigation, took Aguilera into custody and transported him to the Ogle County Jail, where he was detained pending an appearance before a judge. He was released from jail on conditional pretrial release. His next court appearance is at 10 a.m. April 29.

Deputies were assisted on scene by the Rochelle Police Department and Rochelle Fire/EMS.

The house at 502 South Summit Street in Wheaton was sold on April 1 for $910,000, or $191 per square foot. This single-story house has three bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. The property is equipped with central heating and central A/C. Additionally, the building features an attached garage for two cars. The property occupies a lot of 8,712 square feet.

The house, built in 1978, has an interior space of 1,328 square feet. The lot of the property covers an area of 13,939 square feet.

These nearby homes in Morris have also recently been sold:

· At 110 Hickory Lane, in March, a 1,152-square-foot single-family residence was sold for $369,500, a price per square foot of $321.

· A 1,834-square-foot single-family residence at 205 Briar Lane, sold in December 2025, for $315,000, a price per square foot of $172.

· In April 2025, a 1,788-square-foot single-family residence at 100 Glenwood Lane sold for $285,000, a price per square foot of $159.

The Skyhawks, who advanced to the Class 1A state finals last spring, are off to an unbeaten start after dominating Marengo 7-0 in Kishwaukee River Conference action Wednesday evening. Liz Smith spearheaded the Skyhawk offense, scoring four goals and sparking a three-goal sequence over five minutes during the first half.

“All of us believe in each other,” Smith said. “If I make a mistake, everybody around me will lift me up and get me back on my feet.”

Johnsburg (5-0, 3-0 KRC) has been practically flawless on both ends of the field. The Skyhawks are averaging five goals per game and have yet to concede a goal this season. Nine Johnsburg players posted at least one shot on goal Wednesday. The Skyhawks held a 5-0 halftime lead over the Indians, who had been unbeaten in KRC play.

“We’re slowing down and listening to each other,” said senior Lauren McQuiston, who notched one goal and one assist in the game. “I want to shout out our defense, because no one ever looks at the defense, and I think they’re a big part of why we’re winning so much. Our runs opened up space so we could take up space, dribble and find a pass.”

Showcasing her breakaway speed, Smith scored three of her four goals in the first half. The senior forward gave the Skyhawks a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute, cashing in a through ball from teammate Charlie Eastland. The two linked up for another goal in the 19th minute, when Eastland booted a pass through the air that Smith finished at the net.

“My speed definitely used to not be a strength, but now I can use it to my advantage,” Smith said. “I can go from cutting and going super fast to beating a player and then slowing down right before the shot.”

Goals in the 21st and 23rd minutes quickly put the game out of reach for the Indians (5-3, 3-1 KRC), who were limited to just one shot on goal and one corner kick. McQuiston hit Smith on a long through ball to put Johnsburg ahead 3-0. She then scored her first goal of the match after teammate Dorothy Ruth rolled her a short through ball.

“We have to find a way to be more competitive,” Marengo coach Sergio Orozco said. “We knew what kind of team they were, and they have a lot of returners. They did really well last year, and we knew what we were up against.

“We’ve got a few injuries all the way around, so we only had a few subs. Playing a team of that quality is very difficult.”

Johnsburg, which had five shots on goal in the first 12 minutes and ended the match with 23, entered halftime with a five-goal advantage after Ruth beat the Marengo defense off the left side of the box in the 34th minute. Capitalizing on a handball foul inside the box, Eastland converted a penalty kick in the 45th minute to cap off her evening.

“We know how to read and strategize on the field, and a big part of that is communication,” Eastland said. “That’s a big part of where I come in, but our defense really makes everyone take a deep breath and relax. Without this defense, it would’ve been a different game.”

Smith iced the Johnsburg win in the 60th minute, booting in a ball that Marengo goalkeeper Macy Noe initially deflected in a one-on-one situation. Noe, who made multiple diving efforts on saves in the first half, finished with 18 saves.

The Skyhawks will host Plano on Monday, while Marengo will play at Crystal Lake South on Saturday.

“A big thing for us is communication, but we also know how to control the ball and find feet,” Eastland said. “We play one game at a time, and the defense has been outstanding. We’re playing as one big unit, and I think all of our years playing together has helped us a bunch.”

The river is expected to crest next week at more than a foot higher than levels recorded as of Wednesday evening, according to the National Weather Service.

The weather service issued a flood warning until further notice for the Fox River, stretching from Johnsburg to Red Gate Road in St. Charles, including at the Algonquin Lock & Dam, affecting McHenry, Lake and Kane counties.

Some minor flooding has already occurred along the river, with moderate flooding forecast.

The maximum river stage along that stretch of the Fox was 10 feet – above the flood stage of 9.5 feet – and was expected to rise to 11.3 feet by Tuesday evening, according to the weather service.

If that crest rises to 11.5 feet, areas that could be affected include Oceola Drive, Jayne Street and Beach Drive in Algonquin; McBridge Street and Jerusha Avenue in Elgin; and River Street in East Dundee.

“A Flood Warning means water levels above flood stage are imminent or may already be occurring. Persons along rivers and streams in the warned area should take immediate precautions to protect life and property,” the weather service alert states.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources said inflow is forecast to continue climbing through Sunday, with levels of the Fox Lake and Upper Fox River peaking Wednesday. Between 1.75 and 2 inches of rain were forecast for the watershed over the next seven days, the IDNR said Thursday.

In Nunda Township, Parrish’s staff began working late Wednesday to help protect homes along the river.

“Nunda [Township] has three sandbaggers running and four trucks delivering sandbags,” Parrish said, adding crews from Bull Valley, Prairie Grove, Island Lake, Lakemoor, Dorr Township and inmates from McCounty County Jail are helping.

As of mid-day Thursday, the township had made and delivered 10,000 sandbags, Parrish said.

The river is high across the Fox Valley region after heavy rains the last few days and with more expected.

“Everything is headed to the Fox River,” Parrish said.

McHenry County Emergency Management Director David Christensen agreed. Current water levels upstream, at New Munster, Wis., has him worried because what happens there “magnifies here,” Christensen said.

Parrish said he’s getting the most calls for service from low-lying areas like the Bayview Beach subdivision and Whippoorwill Drive near Prairie Grove.

“They have been placing sandbags all night with pumps running” to direct water back into the river from yards, Parrish said.

He is expecting the flood levels to be similar to those seen during the 2013 and 2017 floods, Parrish said.

In just the last 30 days, the area has seen 8.5 inches of rainfall, with the potential for more precipitation.

It will get worse before it gets better, Christensen said.

Not all areas are reporting flooding yet. McHenry’s Director of Public Works Russ Adams said there is “some standing water in the typical low-lying areas and the creeks are up, but nothing is being overwhelmed.”

McHenry continues to monitor the situation, Adams said.

Algonquin Public Works staff have started preparing to sandbag, Director Nadim Badran said.

The village has closed Cornish Park in the downtown area to the public out of precaution. Once the river hits just over 11 feet, 3 inches, sandbags will be deployed, Badran said.

But he doesn’t think this year will be a repeat of the record-breaking levels seen in 2013 and 2017. Those years, the river crested at 13 to 14 feet high in Algonquin.

“I don’t think it’s going to get to that point, but we still want to be ready,” Badran said.

Among the volunteers at Nunda Township were high school students who live nearby and are helping fill sandbags. The township could use more, Parrish said.

Anyone in the township who needs sandbags or who can volunteer to help fill sandbags should call the Nunda Township Highway Department, 3518 Bay Road in Crystal Lake, at 815-459-4410.

Johnsburg plans to have sandbags and sand available for residents on Friday morning, Assistant Administrator Vinny Lamontagna said.

The materials will be dropped on the 600 block of Bald Knob Road, an area that is prone to flooding. Lamontagna did not have a time for the sand delivery yet, and asked residents to keep an eye out for the village’s e-blast email.

The sandbags will not be filled, he said, adding that those in need of bags should bring shovels and help to fill the bags.

Village staff will continue to monitor the situation, and will switch to emergency response if flood conditions worsen, Lamontagna said.

The 1,920-square-foot home, built in 1923, was sold for $465,000, or $242 per square foot. This two-story house has three bedrooms and four bathrooms. The property is equipped with central A/C. Additionally, the building has access to a parking spot for five cars. The property is situated on a lot spanning 6,656 square feet.

Other homes in Joliet that have recently changed hands close by include:

· At 510 Douglas Street, in December 2025, a 1,632-square-foot single-family residence was sold for $265,000, a price per square foot of $162.

· A 1,824-square-foot single-family house at 725 Clement Street, sold in September 2025, for $287,000, a price per square foot of $157. The home has two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

· In January 2025, a 1,104-square-foot single-family home at 710 Vine Street sold for $299,900, a price per square foot of $272.

Shanna M. Hillers, 44, of Sterling is charged in Lee County with aggravated battery in a public place, a Class 3 felony; official misconduct of a public employee, a Class 3 felony; and abuse/criminal neglect of a resident of a long-term care facility, a Class 4 felony. All charges were filed Feb. 25 and Hillers has not entered a plea, court records show.

The charges allege that on or about Dec. 3, 2025, Hillers, an employee of a long-term care facility, “knowingly made physical contact of an insulting of provoking nature” when she kicked a Jack Mabley Developmental Center resident while on the center’s property in Dixon, court records show.

The charges further allege that Hillers kicked the resident in her official capacity as a facility employee despite knowing it was forbidden by law and caused the resident’s “life to be endangered, health to be injured, or pre-existing physical or mental condition to deteriorate,” court records show.

As of March 1, Hillers was employed as a mental health technician at a state-operated developmental center for people with developmental disabilities, according to Illinois Department of Human Services records.

Jack Mabley provides treatment for adults with intellectual developmental disabilities. It is one of seven state-operated centers in Illinois and the only center located in the northwestern part of the state, according to the IDHS.

Hillers was not detained and Lee County Circuit Judge Jacquelyn D. Ackert ordered March 18 that Hillers be given pretrial release as she is not charged with an offense that makes her eligible for detention under Illinois law, court records show.

The conditions of Hillers’s release are that she must have no contact with the alleged victim, is not permitted at the Jack Mabley Center except for administrative purposes and the administration building, must report to and comply with the orders of court services, appear at and comply with the orders of the court and not violate any laws of any jurisdiction, court records show.

On Wednesday, Hillers appeared before Ackert with her attorney, Mitchel R. Johnston of Mertes Law Firm in Sterling, for a preliminary hearing. Johnston asked the court to reschedule the preliminary hearing for a date around two weeks away.

A preliminary hearing is an early court proceeding during which a judge will determine if there is enough evidence to reasonably believe that a crime was committed by the defendant. Defendants have the right to waive this process.

Ackert granted the request and set it for 9 a.m. May 4.

ISP was awarded a $10 million grant for the first fiscal year of the program, another $677,000 in June 2024 and $637,500 in July 2025.

From January through March, ISP efforts resulted in the following:

House Bill 5580 improves how DNA evidence is communicated across Illinois’ justice system, according to La Ha’s office.

When the Illinois State Police identify a consistent DNA profile, the bill ensures law enforcement and the state’s attorneys are automatically notified in writing through the state’s Laboratory Information Management System, according to a news release from La Ha’s office.

“This added clarity will help move cases forward more efficiently and ensure key information reaches prosecutors without delay,” according to the release.

House Bill 4654 focuses on combating human trafficking by requiring clear, visible resource notices in all public restrooms at Illinois roadside rest areas, according to the release.

These locations can offer victims a rare moment of privacy, creating an opportunity to seek help. The initiative was brought forward in partnership with the General Federation of Women’s Clubs.

Both bills now move to the Senate for further consideration.

Smith, the former village president and its lead incorporator in 2007, was appointed treasurer on Feb. 3.

Burson forwarded emails to Shaw Local that she had sent to Wojnicki, Smith, Rooney, Budget Officer Russell Cerqua, another trustee and the village attorney.

Burson’s emails claimed that Smith was actively preventing the budget officer from doing his job to prepare the budget for approval by April 30. But in an email, Cerqua countered Burson’s characterization of his relationship with Smith.

“Patsy has been a big help to me with understanding the village’s finances,” according to Cerqua’s email. “And I would not be as far along with the budget if it were not for her assistance.”

Burson’s emails also blistered Wojnicki’s leadership.

“This is amateur hour. It’s the ‘Gong Show.’ This is not government,” according to Burson’s emails.

“We have no functioning government in Campton Hills. There is no leadership. Barbara Wojnicki? Don’t make me laugh – or cry. We cannot have government in Campton Hills until both our failed president and Patsy Smith are gone for good,” according to Burson’s emails. “These two need to go or there can be no Village of Campton Hills.”

In an email response to Shaw Local, Smith wrote that “Burson’s comments are uninformed, unprofessional, inaccurate, and unhinged.”

“It’s no secret Trustee Burson desires to have an independent accounting firm step in as Finance Director/Village Treasurer,” according to Smith’s email. “The only problem is the Village President is given the power of appointment via the Illinois Municipal Code. ... There is a power struggle with Trustee Burson attempting to thwart the Village President’s power.”

Smith also wrote that she and the budget officer are working as a team, that she is not stopping him from doing his job.

Wojnicki, who was elected in 2023, said Burson’s emails are “over the top.”

“It’s just bizarre to me,” Wojnicki said. “I don’t respond. I just think she’s way, way out of line. This is just a little village and isn’t like the U.S. government, like we’re in Washington, D.C. ... It’s getting so comical and ridiculous. It makes no sense.”

Wojnicki said contrary to Burson’s emails, officials are working just fine on the budget.

“It’s a non-issue. Janet just can’t control herself,” Wojnicki said. “I don’t know where she’s going with this. ... We are going to get it done.”

In text messages, Burson also claimed that Rooney resigned and that Police Chief James Levand said he would resign as of May 1, both leaving because of conflicts with Smith.

Rooney’s resignation letter states he would leave as of May 7, but does not give a reason. Rooney did not respond to a voicemail or email seeking confirmation. He has been village administrator since 2024.

In an email, Levand denied that he submitted retirement plans and wrote that he “can’t speak to any conversations or comments made by anyone else.”

“I have not provided the Board of Trustees and/or Village President any paperwork for resignation or retirement, including May 1st,” according to Levand’s email. “I am honored to serve as Chief of Police for the Village of Campton Hills and proud of all the strong partnerships I have built with our residents, businesses, and visitors during the last 12 years.”

Levand was a sergeant, then became interim chief in 2023 before being appointed chief in 2024.

When they ran together in 2023, Burson and Wojnicki were on the same team. But now Burson stated in a text that this “is not what anyone voted for.”

“All of us who came into this with deep and abiding respect for Patsy’s accomplishment in 2007, founding the village, agreed that she could never hold elective or appointed office again – including Barb," according to Burson’s text.

Wojnicki said: “If that was said, I don’t remember that.”

Burson herself made headlines a year ago when the other trustees censured her, alleging closed-session leaks and abuse of other officials.

Smith, no stranger to controversy herself, was appointed as treasurer by the same board that then unsuccessfully tried to rescind the appointment two weeks later.

The next Village Board meeting is 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 21.

Six players are batting .316 or better, and Garet Wolfe (.514), Jameson Hanlon (.488) and Ashton Miner (.400) are hitting .400 or better.

It was Hanlon’s turn to be perfect at the plate in Wednesday’s 10-0 win in six innings over Eastland as he went 4 for 4 with two doubles, two stolen bases and two RBIs.

“It feels like you can rely on anybody really right now to come through with a hit,” the sophomore said. “Ten runs every game it seems like.

“It feels like if you don’t come up in a big situation, the next guy is going to do it, or the guy before you. It just gives you a sense of relief and confidence.”

Michael Morse, a junior, is hitting .366 this season with a team-high 28 RBIs. He drove in four more runs on Wednesday, with his two-run double ending the game in the sixth inning.

“We’re playing really consistently,” Morse said. “We’ve been hitting really consistently throughout our order.”

Wolfe had three hits and two RBIs as Newman (11-1) out-hit Eastland 12-3.

Garret Matznick got his first start pitching this season, going four innings with three strikeouts and one walk. Evan Bushman and Wolfe each pitched an inning.

Newman jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and pulled away with four runs in the fourth.

“It’s a fun thing when everyone hits the ball,” Morse said. “The middle of our order has just been raking the ball.”

The Cougars (6-7) dropped a second straight game in as many days after winning five straight.

Camron Huber pitched three innings for Eastland, allowing eight runs (five earned) in three innings. Phineas Mullen allowed two runs in two innings. Newman only struck out twice and drew five walks.

Newman coach Kenny Koerner said Matznick stepped up to eat up some innings, as he is typically only a relief pitcher.

Hanlon has also put in a lot of work coming into the season to be hitting as he has been.

“He uses the gap so well,” Koerner said. “He’s just really barreling everything up right now, and he’s doing a nice job running out of the box and taking advantage of it to get doubles too.”

He leads the team with 10 doubles and 21 hits.

Koerner said Morse has also improved at the plate.

“He’s worked really hard, and it’s nice to see the results,” Koerner said. “He’s such a strong kid. When he stays back, he can really drive the ball.”

Newman’s experienced infield played well defensively.

“I like the way we competed today,” Koerner said. “I thought we were clean overall in the field.”

Eastland coach Weston Burkholder said his team was a bit off in the setback.

“Our hardest hit balls were foul, unfortunately,” he said. “They pitched well. They just mixed it up well and kept us off balance a little bit. They’re a good team. It proves their track record.”

Burkholder said getting the offense on track is key for the team to have success.

“Our offense is our biggest Achilles’ heel,” he said. “We’ve got to keep games close.”

On Cinco de Mayo, the Frankfort restaurant will feature live mariachi music from 4 to 6 p.m. and face painting from 5 to 7 p.m., creating a lively, high-energy atmosphere, according to a news release.

Throughout the day, guests can also enter to win festive giveaway prizes, including items like T-shirts, hats and shot glasses provided by brand partners, available while supplies last. In addition, guests can enter to win one of three $100 Fat Rosie’s gift cards through a newsletter raffle.

Fat Rosie’s is offering seasonal drink specials throughout the month, including the Mint Watermelon Margarita and Skinny Mexicana Margarita, along with Modelo and Pacifico features. All promotions will be available for dine-in guests only.

“Cinco de Mayo is our opportunity to go all in on what we do best, which is bringing people together for unforgettable moments,” Juan Carlos Martinez, chief fiesta officer at Fat Rosie’s, said in the news release. “We’re bringing the energy to Frankfort with our incredible scratch-made Mexican menu, great tequila features, including 1800, Espolòn and El Bandido Yankee Tequila, and lively surprises throughout the day so every guest feels like they’re part of the fiesta.”

Visit fatrosies.com for more information.

The 3,619-square-foot house, built in 2005, was sold for $1.36 million, or $374 per square foot. This two-story house has four bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms. Inside, there is a fireplace. The property is equipped with a heating system and central A/C. Additionally, the building offers four parking spots. The property sits on an 11,761-square-foot lot.

Other homes in Downers Grove have recently changed hands nearby:

· In February 2025, a 1,656-square-foot single-family residence at 5224 Fairmount Avenue sold for $699,000, a price per square foot of $422.

· At 5134 Elmwood Avenue, in January, a 3,650-square-foot single-family home was sold for $1.4 million, a price per square foot of $384. The home has four bedrooms and four bathrooms.

· A 4,590-square-foot single-family residence at 5253 Blodgett Avenue, sold in July 2025, for $1.73 million, a price per square foot of $376. The home has four bedrooms and five bathrooms.

Andrew D. Rutherford, 31, is accused of aggravated domestic battery, strangulation, a Class 2 felony; and one count each of misdemeanor domestic battery, bodily harm; domestic battery, physical contact; criminal damage to property; and endangering the life, health, or safety of a child.

Ogle County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched about 5:30 p.m. to South Illinois Route 26 and South Peek Home Road for a reported domestic incident, according to a news release. During a follow-up to the investigation, deputies took Rutherford into custody on April 15 in the 100 block of South Congress Avenue in Polo, according to the release.

Rutherford was transported to the Ogle County Jail and was detained pending an appearance before a judge. His preliminary hearing is set for 10 a.m. April 29.

Polo police assisted the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office.

United Township, 13, Sterling 3 (6 inn.): The Panthers scored seven runs in the third inning to take control in the home win. Cale Nettleton led Sterling with two RBIs.

The home at 4311 Schofield Drive in Oswego was sold on April 8 for $510,000, or $157 per square foot. This two-story house has four bedrooms and three bathrooms. The interior features a fireplace. Additionally, the building includes access to an attached garage for three cars. The property’s lot measures 0.4 acres.

Other homes in Oswego have recently been purchased nearby:

· A 3,210-square-foot single-family home at 4303 Schofield Drive, sold in May 2025, for $477,000, a price per square foot of $149. The home has four bedrooms and three bathrooms.

· In January 2025, a 2,219-square-foot single-family house at 4323 Schofield Drive sold for $408,000, a price per square foot of $184. The home has three bedrooms and three bathrooms.

· At 4215 Southerland Drive, in April, a 2,278-square-foot single-family residence was sold for $430,000, a price per square foot of $189. The home has three bedrooms and three bathrooms.

Roads will be closed from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Monday, May 25, between Donahue Street south of 24th Street to the southern edge of the VFW parking lot.

The decision was made at the Monday, April 13 city council meeting.

The car show will go on rain or shine and all proceeds will benefit the La Salle VFW.

Registration for a car costs $10 and ends at noon on the day of the show.

The event will be judged by participants with five “Best of Show” categories and awards for top 20 finishes, as well as door prizes.

There will be raffles, a 50/50 drawing and food and drinks available during the show.

The 3,917-square-foot home, built in 1995, was sold for $875,000, or $223 per square foot. This two-story house has five bedrooms and five bathrooms. Inside, there is a fireplace. The property is equipped with a heating system and central A/C. Additionally, the building has access to an attached garage for three cars. The property is situated on a lot spanning 0.7 acres.

These nearby homes have also recently changed hands:

· At 12102 Arlene Drive in Orland Park, in August 2025, a 2,959-square-foot single-family residence was sold for $640,000, a price per square foot of $216.

· In November 2025, a 4,599-square-foot single-family house at 15141 Arbor Drive in Orland Park sold for $800,000, a price per square foot of $174. The home has four bedrooms and five bathrooms.

· A 3,822-square-foot single-family residence at 12041 Magnolia Lane in Orland Park, sold in August 2025, for $990,000, a price per square foot of $259. The home has five bedrooms and five bathrooms.

Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced Wednesday more than $4.85 million in grant funding has been awarded to 66 grantees through three grant programs to promote tourism.

“Our tourism industry supports jobs and local economies, and Illinois is a top destination for visitors across the globe,” Pritzker said. “These investments will allow communities across Illinois to expand their events and festivals, promote one-of-a-kind destinations, and draw visitors from near and far to our great state.”

The Hegeler Carus Foundation in La Salle was awarded $27,500 for a flooring restoration project at the Hegeler Carus Mansion.

The City of Streator was awarded $10,000 for creating professional short-form videos along with buying an advertising package and interactive displays.

Ottawa Visitors Center $1 was awarded $74,769.34 to work in partnership with WGN Radio, Heritage Corridor Destinations, and Studio 16 LLC to amplify their reach through broadcast, digital, and video storytelling platforms.

The City of La Salle was awarded $50,000 for costs associated with Frosty on First, a two-day, Christmas-themed winter festival in downtown La Salle.

Officers will look for riders who obey traffic laws and ride responsibly, according to a La Salle Police Department news release. Those spotted demonstrating safe behavior will receive free fountain drinks, pizza slices or slushes at participating businesses.

Three gas stations are partnering with the La Salle Police Department for the initiative: Shell at 802 Third St., Beck’s at 327 Bucklin St. and Casey’s at 1327 Fifth St..

The program is designed to promote safety, encourage positive choices and recognize responsible riders in the community, according to a La Salle Police Department statement.

The home at 1071 Alexandria Drive in Sycamore was sold on March 30 for $264,500, or $232 per square foot. This two-story house has three bedrooms and three bathrooms. The property is equipped with a heating system and central A/C. Additionally, the building has access to an attached garage. The lot of the property covers an area of 3,019 square feet.

A proposed amendment to the Education for Homeless Children Act will equip school districts with the ability to help families with temporary housing, according to a news release from the office of state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Aurora.

The amendment permits school districts to provide temporary motel accommodations to help keep students and families better rooted to their school communities, the news release said.

While school districts already may provide rental or mortgage assistance and other formers of financial support to prevent homelessness, the amendment is designed to provide another tool to keep students from large transportation times and costs.

Kifowit, a chief co-sponosor of HB 4137, said the amendment provides school districts “flexibility” while “prioritizing student stability.”

“This is a commonsense, compassionate approach that not only supports students but also helps school districts use their resources more effectively,” Kifowit said in the release. “Keeping kids closer to their school means less disruption to their education and stronger outcomes overall.”

Kifowit said the amendment will empower school districts to help “keep children safe, supported, and in their classrooms, where they belong.”

The bill passed the Illinois House and now awaits consideration in the Senate. For more information on the legislation, go to ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus.

The house at 7231 South Lost Nation Road in Dixon was sold on March 20 for $470,000, or $214 per square foot. This is a two-story house. The property’s lot measures 5 acres.

These nearby homes in Dixon have also recently changed hands:

· In February 2025, a 2,375-square-foot single-family home at 822 South Lakewood Greens Drive sold for $305,000, a price per square foot of $128.

· A 1,840-square-foot single-family residence at 309 South Saddlewood Circle, sold in October 2025, for $327,500, a price per square foot of $178.

· At 606 South Slippery Rock Drive, in January, a 2,318-square-foot single-family home was sold for $390,000, a price per square foot of $168.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles could go in various directions with his first-round selection at No. 25 overall. He might address different holes defensively, whether that’s on the defensive line or in the secondary. Poles might also boost head coach Ben Johnson’s offense by selecting a starting left tackle.

It’s also not a forgone conclusion that Poles will stay at No. 25. Poles has had a history of making trades during the draft, and he’ll have four picks in the top 89 to work with in a potential trade. He added another second-round pick when he acquired it from the Buffalo Bills in trading them DJ Moore.

Although at No. 25, it might be hard to move up or down. It would be easier to jump up since the Bears have two second-round picks. But the Bears would need a partner to want to move down, which is easier said than done. Poles might also want to keep all his picks and bring in as much high-end talent as possible.

But if a team is interested, here are some possible options for Poles to make a trade in the first round.

Team: New York Jets

Potential trade: Bears trade No. 25 and No. 60 (second round) to Jets for No. 16

The Moore trade gives Poles valuable currency to move up into the top-20 if there’s a prospect that he believes could be a difference-maker in their rookie season. A draft class’ talent usually takes a dip later in the first round. So it might be worth it for Poles to give up the one he acquired if he wants to pick up one of the top players in a position the Bears need.

The Jets feel like a great partner who’d be willing to trade down. New York owns the No. 2 overall pick, and this trade would give the Jets three picks in the second round this year. It also doesn’t hurt that this trade would help the Bears jump one pick in front of NFC North rival Detroit.

Team: Dallas Cowboys

Potential trade: Bears trade No. 25 and No. 89 (third round) to Cowboys for No. 20 and No. 180 (fifth round)

If the Bears don’t want to give up one of their second-round picks, they still have a good chance to move up to the top-20. This could happen if there’s a run on a position the Bears need that they didn’t expect, most likely at offensive tackle or safety. Detroit, Minnesota and Carolina could all make moves that might make Poles want to move up.

The Cowboys are another good trade-up candidate since they own two first-round picks like the Jets. Dallas might try to get one, but jumping up five spots shouldn’t cost Poles a second-round pick. This trade would give the Cowboys two shots in the third round and secure the Bears a talent they might covet.

Team: Los Angeles Chargers

Potential trade: Bears trade No. 25, No. 129 (fourth round) and 2027 sixth-round pick to Chargers for No. 22

Poles could get itchy if a player he really likes is still around entering the 20s. Los Angeles, Philadelphia (No. 23) and Cleveland (No. 24) all have similar needs as the Bears, primarily at offensive tackle and edge. The Browns could also trade their pick since it’ll be their second of the first round, which could make things more complicated.

Los Angeles might find it worth trading down a few spots to earn more draft picks. The Chargers have five picks entering the draft, so adding another fourth-round pick wouldn’t hurt. If there’s a push to trade up by other teams, they could turn their return into a third, something the Bears might not be interested in doing.

Team: Arizona Cardinals

Potential trade: Bears trade No. 25 and No. 129 (fourth round) to Cardinals for No. 34 (second round) and No. 65 (third round)

As much as trading up might be tough, trading down would be harder. Usually, the talent at the bottom of the first round and the top of the second round isn’t dramatic enough to give up draft capital to get back into the first round. But teams could get desperate if they believe in a prospect.

Arizona could be one of those teams as they search for a quarterback. The Cardinals won’t take one at No. 3 overall. But if the Cardinals believe in a quarterback such as Alabama’s Ty Simpson, they could do what the New York Giants did last year and come back into the first round to get their franchise quarterback. The Jets could also create a similar package for the same reason.

Team: Atlanta Falcons

Potential trade: Bears trade No. 25 and No. 89 (third round) to Falcons for No. 48 (second round), No. 79 (third round) and a 2027 first-round pick

Another potential group of trade-down candidates are teams that don’t have a first-round pick. Atlanta, Denver, Green Bay, Jacksonville and Indianapolis all belong to that group. A trade between Poles and former Bears assistant GM and current Falcons GM Ian Cunningham could come to fruition if the circumstances are right.

The Rams and Falcons pulled off a similar trade as this with former Falcons GM Terry Fontenot in charge last year. It would result in the Bears not picking until No. 48 overall. But if Poles doesn’t see a huge gap in talent by dropping to the middle of the second round with two more picks later in that round, it might be worth adding a future first-round pick.

Dr. Paul Schrik made his announcement at the school board meeting on Tuesday and informed the staff and faculty in a letter the following day.

He has been an educator in public schools for more than 30 years.

At the time of his retirement, Schrik will have completed nine years as leader of Troy 30-C schools, which serve students from portions of Joliet, Shorewood, Channahon, Crest Hill and unincorporated Troy Township.

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve the students, staff, and families of Troy 30-C,” Schrik said in a school district news release.

“I am incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made together, and I leave knowing the district is well-positioned for continued success. I look forward to supporting the Board in selecting a new leader who will carry forward our mission,” he said.

During his tenure as superintendent, Schrik emphasized continuous improvement, which led to significant achievements, the district said, including:

• Implementation of a living strategic plan that guides daily work

• Measurable improvement in student outcomes and expanded opportunities for children

• Strengthening the school-home relationship to ensure families feel like true partners

• Prioritizing school safety and building community trust

• Being named one of Will County’s Best School Districts for the last four years

• Receiving the 2024 Educational Institution of the Year Award from the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The Troy 30-C school board will immediately begin the search process, partnering with a selection agency to identify a new superintendent.

“The focus will be on finding a proven leader who is deeply aligned with the district’s strategic plan and prepared to build upon the momentum established during Dr. Schrik’s tenure,” according to the release.

Officers responded to the home, which New Lenox Police Chief Micah Neusse confirmed to Shaw Local belongs to John Prevost, the brother of Pope Leo XIV, about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

“Upon receiving the report, officers were immediately dispatched to the scene and established a secure perimeter to ensure the safety of nearby residents,” the New Lenox Police Department said in a news release.

Several surrounding homes were notified and asked to evacuate during the investigation “out of an abundance of caution,” the police department said.

Multiple specialized units, including the Will County Sheriff’s Office explosive detection K9 unit, were brought in to assist in the investigation.

After conducting a “thorough search of the residence and surrounding property,” the threat was deemed unsubstantiated, and there were no explosives or other hazardous materials present in the area, New Lenox police said.

No injuries were reported, and residents were allowed to return to their homes after the scene was cleared.

The incident is currently under investigation as police attempt to identify the source of the false threat.

Prevost is the older brother of Pope Leo, who became the first American pontiff last May following the death of Pope Francis.

The brothers were raised in south suburban Dolton, and John Prevost is a retired Catholic school principal. The family’s eldest brother, Louis, lives in Florida.

The bomb threat incident comes on the heels of escalating tensions between Pope Leo and President Donald Trump after the pope spoke out against the U.S. and Israel’s war with Iran.

In a series of messages throughout the Easter season, Pope Leo condemned violence, stating, “Jesus does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war.”

Earlier this week, the president called the pope “weak on crime and bad for foreign policy” in a social media post and said he “prefers his brother Louis.”

Police have not said whether they believe recent political events were a motivating factor in Wednesday’s incident.

New Lenox police reminded the public that “making false reports of this nature is a serious offense and may result in criminal charges.”

The department also thanked the community for its cooperation and patience during the investigation and asked anyone with information related to the incident to contact them by phone or submit an anonymous tip through the village of New Lenox website’s “submit a crime” page.

But perhaps the biggest change coming for the redshirt junior and Johnsburg graduate is that he’s poised to see ample playing time for the first time in his career, and perhaps even crack the starting lineup.

“We’ve had so much change since I’ve been here in ’23, I think we’re just used to it,” Welch said. “We understand how to go about our business every day, even though that stuff changes. That’s the world of college football right now. You just have to adapt and keep pushing forward.”

New head coach Rob Harley said Welch is an incredibly versatile and cerebral player who can plug in anywhere on the line. With most of the experienced players graduated or otherwise gone from the program, Harley said Welch is providing valuable leadership, along with other junior linemen.

After coach Thomas Hammock announced he was resigning as head coach in February to join the coaching staff of the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, Harley was named the interim coach through the end of the season.

Welch said he was instantly energized when he found out Harley was going to lead the team.

“When I heard coach Harley was going to be the new head coach, I was super excited,” Welch said. “I know that last year the defense loved him and his energy. I didn’t really talk to him much last year, but I could just see the buy-in and the couple of conversations we had have been awesome.”

Harley said Welch and other veteran linemen, such as Welch’s roommates and fellow redshirt junior linemen Luke Skartvedt and Landon Hron, met with Harley after he got the job.

The super-tight-knit group, as Welch describes it, gave him its seal of approval.

“When I met with those guys right after it happened, it was a powerful meeting because they were all like ‘Coach, we got you,’ ” Harley said. “I think part of that is they knew me. Maybe not from a day-to-day, all the time, but I think that helped.”

Under NCAA rules, NIU players had a chance to enter the transfer portal after Hammock left due to the coaching change.

Welch would seem like an ideal candidate to go into the portal. He’s 6-foot-6, 316 pounds and hasn’t played outside of special teams in his first three seasons.

But through all the turnover in his time at NIU, Welch never tested the transfer portal. Like 90 of the 93 other players on the roster when Hammock left, Welch stayed this time as well.

“I think what that says about him is that he enjoys playing with his teammates and his friends,” Harley said. “He’s got a life of four years built here, and he wants to see it through.”

Harley also said bringing in a “great human being” as the offensive line coach in Matt White helps. He said an inside zone is an inside zone regardless of the coach. That eases the constant coaching carousel Welch and the line have been subjected to.

White said the coaching staff is asking the line to play fast, play physical and play together this year.

“The school means something to him. The program means something to him. NIU means something to him,” White said. “The guys who stick around are guys I want to be around.”

U.S. President Donald Trump announced the agreement as a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. However, Israel has not been fighting with Lebanon itself, but rather with the Iranian-backed militants inside the country.

Hezbollah said in a statement that any truce must apply “across all Lebanese territory and must not allow the Israeli enemy any freedom of movement.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he agreed to the ceasefire “to advance” peace efforts with Lebanon. “We have an opportunity to make a historic peace agreement with Lebanon,” he said in a video message.

Israeli forces have engaged in fierce battles with Hezbollah in the border area. Israeli troops have pushed into southern Lebanon to create what officials have called a “security zone,” which Netanyahu has said will extend at least 8 to 10 kilometers (5 to 6 miles) into Lebanon.

Hezbollah said that “Israeli occupation on our land grants Lebanon and its people the right to resist it, and this matter will be determined based on how developments unfold,” a stance that could complicate the ceasefire.

Netanyahu said Israeli troops will stay in an expanded security zone in southern Lebanon “much stronger, more extensive and more continuous than before.”

“That is where we are, and we are not leaving,” he said.

Trump posted the ceasefire announcement on his Truth Social platform, saying it was to begin at 5 p.m. Eastern time (9 p.m. GMT). The announcement comes two days after the countries held their first direct diplomatic talks in decades in Washington. Hezbollah had opposed direct talks between Lebanon and Israel.

Lebanon has insisted on a ceasefire to stop the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah before engaging in more talks, while vowing to commit to disarming the group.

Israel and Lebanon have technically been at war since Israel was established in 1948, and Lebanon remains deeply divided over diplomatic engagement with Israel.

Trump also invited the leaders of Israel and Lebanon to the White House for what he said would be “the first meaningful talks” between the countries since 1983.

“Both sides want to see PEACE, and I believe that will happen, quickly,” Trump wrote.

Lebanon and Israel signed an agreement in 1983 saying Lebanon would formally recognize Israel, and Israel would withdraw from Lebanon. The deal fell apart during Lebanon’s civil war and was formally rescinded a year later.

Trump said the pause in fighting followed “excellent” conversations with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Netanyahu.

A Hezbollah official said the ceasefire was a result of Iran’s negotiations with the U.S., in which Iran had insisted Lebanon be included in its own ceasefire, and came about through efforts by mediator Pakistan. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s powerful army chief met Thursday with Iran’s parliament speaker as part of international efforts to press for an extension to a ceasefire that has paused almost seven weeks of war between Israel, the U.S. and the Islamic Republic.

It was unclear whether the frantic diplomacy could lead to a lasting deal as the two-week ceasefire passes the halfway mark. The Iran war has killed thousands of people and upended global markets by disrupting the flow of oil.

Iranian state television did not provide details on the meeting between Pakistani Army Gen. Asim Munir and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, who has emerged as his country’s chief negotiator.

There was no immediate comment from Pakistan, which has become a key mediator after hosting direct talks between the U.S. and Iran that authorities said helped narrow differences between the sides. Mediators are seeking a new round before the ceasefire expires next week.

The White House said any further talks regarding Iran would likely take place in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, though no decision had been made on whether to resume negotiations. The fragile ceasefire is holding despite a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports and Iranian counter-threats to target regional ports across the Red Sea.

The 14-day ceasefire expires on April 22, but Trump suggested it could be extended.

“If we’re close to a deal, would I extend?” Trump said in an exchange with reporters. “Yeah, I would do that.”

The war has jolted markets and rattled the global economy as shipping has been cut off and airstrikes have pounded military and civilian infrastructure. Oil prices have fallen amid hopes for an end to fighting, and U.S. stocks on Wednesday surpassed records set in January.

Even as the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports and renewed Iranian threats strained the ceasefire, regional officials reported progress, telling AP the United States and Iran had an “in-principle agreement” to extend it to allow for more diplomacy. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive negotiations.

But tensions simmered.

The commander of Iran’s joint military command, Ali Abdollahi, threatened to halt trade in the region if the U.S. does not lift its naval blockade, and a newly appointed military adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said he does not support extending the ceasefire.

Mediators are pushing for a compromise on three main sticking points: Iran’s nuclear program, the Strait of Hormuz and compensation for wartime damages, according to a regional official involved in the mediation efforts.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Iran is open to discussing the type and level of its uranium enrichment, but his country “based on its needs, must be able to continue enrichment,” Iranian state media reported.

The Pentagon urged Iran to make a deal, with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth telling reporters at the Pentagon that “ultimately, they need to come to the table.”

He said the U.S. will ensure that Iran never has a nuclear weapon.

“We’d prefer to do it the nice way through a deal led by our great vice president and negotiating team. Or we can do it the hard way,” Hegseth said.

Iran insists it does not seek a nuclear weapon and its nuclear program is for peaceful proposes.

The fighting has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, more than 2,100 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Thirteen U.S. service members have also been killed.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Trump administration would ramp up economic pain on Iran with new economic sanctions on countries doing business with it, calling the move the “financial equivalent” of a bombing campaign.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the window of peace was opening during a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

Since the war began, Iran has curtailed maritime traffic through the strait, which a fifth of global oil transited through in peacetime. Tehran’s effective closure of the strait sent oil prices skyrocketing, raising the cost of fuel, food and other basic goods far beyond the Middle East, and the U.S. has responded with a blockade on Iranian shipping.

U.S. Central Command said Wednesday that no ships had made it past the blockade since it was imposed two days earlier, while 13 merchant vessels complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around and reenter Iranian waters.