In this week's column, Toby Moore wonders what the true limits may be for the human mind.

Illinois is very much a “what’s in it for me?” state, and forcing taxpayers to cough up (only?) nine figures of infrastructure spending to grant a valuable private business entity’s real estate wishes won’t benefit lawmakers.

COLUMN: Regular maintenance and thoughtful planning ensure that parks remain both functional and sustainable. Stewardship is a shared responsibility between park staff and residents.

The business of running the state has far more impact on readers’ lives than the political machinations of election season, but it’s important to understand how campaign considerations can affect legislation and other Springfield decisions.

Total spending, including the race for the open state comptroller position, was at $5.5 million for the calendar year.

Illinois families are used to hearing the same explanation whenever something goes wrong in state government: we just need more money.

It’s another season in the books for boys IHSA basketball after four champs were crowned at Champaign last weekend. What did we learn?

For decades, female journalists were relegated to soft news and local coverage, rarely allowed to cover the biggest, hard-hitting stories. Louise Hutchinson, however, broke that mold, along with numerous gender barriers.

Wise: Since its invention, the locomotive has been a backbone of the American economy. It has also been one of the most talked about machines in our native folklore.

Betty Obendorf of the Polo Historical Society recaps the year 1949 in Polo.

Lovina shares how she spent a busy weekend spoiling grandchildren, cooking family meals, and making memories with loved ones.

Surely some very smart people have handy explanations for these calculations being so significant in the average Illinoisan’s property tax obligation.

In this week's column, Dennis Marek writes about the bond formed by Kevin Costner and the late Whitney Houston throughout the development and filming of The Bodyguard.

In this weekend’s “A Taylor-Made Life,” Taylor Leddin-McMaster talks about the most recent production from Easy Street Theater, a local theater organization for actors with special abilities.

You can train yourself to avoid fraud. First, recognize the characteristics of most scams. Then tell yourself, if this happens to me, I will always talk to someone I trust to ask for help. Who do you trust? Write down their name and number.

That’s not to say slower is inherently safer, or even logical, but speed limits are set through municipal ordinance, and that’s precisely the type of topic that draws residents to meetings.

You don’t have to win free agency in order to win games, but the pressure is on Bears GM Ryan Poles to find guys who can pressure the quarterback in next month’s draft, Marc Silverman writes

Pritzker isn’t responsible for people lacking shelter, but he chose to lay down the marker, and things have only gotten worse.

In this week's column, Toby Moore urges everyone not to shrink from the future involving AI.

If one in five Americans can’t read proficiently, it’s time for parents – not just policymakers – to take responsibility and reclaim a culture of reading in their own households.

Because lawmakers vote on spending plans in such massive amounts, it’s a virtual certainly the minority party will find enough objectionable allocations to oppose the overall plan.

We’ve had a problem in this country and in this state with hallucinatory campaigns that go beyond the normal campaign fibs for a very long time.

Dressed in formal attire, the 34 members of the award-winning Tiskilwa band came equipped with a 36-song list that included fan favorites like “Proud Mary” as they serenaded fans during the 1976 state quarterfinals. It was the very first high school band to play at state.

Frances Willard devoted her life to stamping out alcohol as the face of the temperance movement in the late 19th century.

A week filled with family visits, home cooking and simple joys reminds Lovina how quickly time passes as children and grandchildren gather together.

In this week's column, Dennis Marek writes while missing Nancy Guthrie has not been found, neither local or federal police can be blamed.

The more power the state gives local governments to generate their own revenue, the less the municipalities would need to rely on getting a cut of income taxes.

Column: Get out this weekend and see what some local businesses have to offer at the 2026 Home & Business EXPO, the GK Band Mattress Sale and the Taste of Genoa, writes Krissy Johnson of the Genoa Area Chamber of Commerce.

For generations, Americans have believed in a simple principle that our elections should be honest, secure, and decided by the citizens of this country.

Now Trump has made another promise that will be almost impossible to keep – demolishing Iran’s tyrannical theocracy and replacing it with a stable, popularly chosen government.

More than 100 vendors will be present, many offering free samples of their locally produced food and beverages. Tickets are just $5, but admission is free for kids 10 and younger, as well as veterans and active-duty military members, teachers, and first responders.

In this week’s “A Taylor-Made Life,” Taylor Leddin-McMaster writes about the impending springtime and upcoming local events to celebrate the season.

It has been 41 years since the Bears won at least one playoff game in consecutive seasons, Marc Silverman writes, which is why Bears GM Ryan Poles should trade for Maxx Crosby

Michael Finley, a Marine from Kane County who served in Vietnam, was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross. He loved his mother's Ambrosia recipe, which is shared here.

In this week's column, Toby Moore writes despite any concepts to the contrary, we are all connected.

'Affordable housing' is somewhat of a nebulous concept for people who aren’t in the market as buyers or sellers.

As we move closer to spring here in Rochelle, the temperatures are finally beginning to feel far more comfortable than the below-zero stretch we experienced not long ago.

Medication is only one piece of the health care puzzle. There are people who choose between an X-ray and new shoes for the kids. Or those who go to work sick because they can’t make ends meet without every last hour on the time card.

Pritzker’s contribution to Margaret Croke’s comptroller campaign has ignited a debate among Democratic candidates over independence, loyalty and the proper relationship between the state’s fiscal watchdog and the governor’s office.

Today, the presidential inauguration is held on Jan. 20, but the transfer of power wasn’t always on that day.

March may bring green shakes and basketball brackets, but in Batavia, it also brings opportunity, celebration, and a whole lot of community pride, writes Shirley Mott of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce.

The city of Rochelle wants the Prairie State power plant in Marissa, Illinois, to remain open after 2035, until all bonds reach maturity in 2041. Gov. JB Pritzker does not.

The hamburger was ground, steaks sliced and beef chunks cut up and packaged. Some of the meat we canned as well. By late afternoon, we were all done.

On one level, this entire debacle sheds useful light on the legislative process to taxpayers and voters who rarely spare a thought for Springfield.

In this week's column, Dennis Marek writes that even works of fiction cause real life questions.

On Wednesday, March 4, our publications in Oregon, Polo, Mt. Morris and Forreston will be merged into our Ogle County Life publication, which instead of publishing on Mondays, will be published on Wednesdays going forward.

One of the most serious threats to press freedom has been playing out in a low-level federal court in Virginia, and it was already weakening the ability of journalists to hold this president accountable for his actions.

Are you willing to lose out on restaurant loyalty rewards tied to your phone number or email address? Would you get a test your doctor recommended if you thought that might make your grandkids ineligible for basic medical coverage?

The thing I was asked the most about by a landslide was the Bears stadium situation, Marc Silverman writes. I still believe there’s a better chance than not that the Bears find their way to Arlington Heights

Kudos to all involved, including teacher Paul Ritter, and here’s hoping more students and lawmakers have productive conversations about a better future for everyone in Illinois.