From Capitol News Illinois: More than 700 Illinois schools are within a quarter-mile of crop fields, yet state law doesn’t require pesticide applicators to notify them before spraying.

The Rochelle City Council voted 6-0 on Monday, Dec. 8, to approve a special-use permit for an adult-use cannabis infusion business at 600 N. 15th St., which is zoned I-2 (general industrial).

Rochelle City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh will be leaving his position in mid-January to manage a new community, a Tuesday city of Rochelle news release said

State Sen. Li Arellano, R-Dixon, will lead a legislative update Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, that will provide a great opportunity for residents of the 37th District to hear about recent legislation and ongoing policy discussions from the fall veto session and beyond.

The Sterling Public Library will be playing host to a job search workshop at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, at the library.

Sauk Valley-area schools, law enforcement, firefighters and hospitals trained together Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in a mass casualty drill.

The Dixon School Board unanimously approved a solar contract Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2025, that’s expected to save the district roughly $500,000 over seven years in energy costs.

The proposed 2025 property tax rate for the city of Dixon is about $2.29 per $100 of equalized assessed value, an increase from the 2024 rate of $1.72. City officials estimate a $29 bill increase for a home valued at $100,000

Dixon Public Schools expects the 2025 property tax rate to decrease slightly from 2024 due to projected increases in assessment values.