The Fox River expected to crest Thursday night in McHenry County, according to the National Weather Service, and hold that level through Saturday before starting to slowly recede.

It could take a week or more – depending on weather – for the Fox River to recede to its banks but the crest could come Wednesday for parts of the river. Some parts of the Chain O' Lakes are now at major flood stage.

River Road near McHenry is closed because of floodwaters, the latest road closure resulting from the Fox River overflowing its banks.

Road closures, park closures, more sandbagging and – with a break in the rainfall – the waiting game for waters to top out were the focuses Monday along the Fox River in the McHenry County area.

Bill Breit, 87, is on hospice care and doesn't care to leave his Johnsburg home, even as the Fox River rises to flood stages outside. The community, including strangers to Breit, rallied to sandbag his house.

The Fox River isn't set to crest until later this week as people deal with rising waters and flooded conditions and watch to see how high it gets.

With the Fox River in the McHenry County area yet to crest, people battle the rising waters with sandbags on Sunday, April 19, 2026. Banks overflowed, docks were submerged and basements and low-lying streets were flooded.

McHenry County officials are urging people along the Fox River to get their sandbags and “go” bags ready ahead of more rain in the forecast.

Sandbagging has begun in spots along the Fox River as its levels are expected to continue rising into next week following several inches of rain over recent days. A flood warning is in place for McHenry, Kane and Lake counties.

Recently hatched bald eagles have been spotted around the Chicago area, including at Fermilab grounds in Batavia.

Several roadway lanes will be closed across Kane County starting April 13 as construction crews inspect bridges on several major traffic routes. The work is expected to cause traffic delays.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources put the restriction in place Monday night.

Radios not only provided entertainment in that pre-internet era, but also were literally instant windows to the world’s news.

St. Charles residents have indicated they prefer the former police station become a public space, while developers have pushed to build luxury housing, a hotel and other commercial uses.

Geneva's East State Street reconstruction project is scheduled to start on Monday, March 30, and delays are to be expected, especially around State Street and Route 25.

People enjoy watching as the McHenry's ShamROCKS the Fox dyes the Fox River green on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in McHenry.

The city of Batavia is constructing a downtown plaza, replete with beautiful sitting areas, sculptures and local artwork, even a native pollinator garden. The city says the “River Street Plaza” represents more than just a social gathering spot, it’s an investment to inspire the c

Once an improbable sighting, wild swans have returned to the Fox River Valley and across Kane County. Local environmental efforts over the decades have helped the resurgence.

Another man from Elgin who had been reported missing for several weeks was determined by authorities to have drowned.

The McHenry City Council has approved a 10-year, $142,000 sales tax rebate deal with Niko Kanakaris, a restaurateur who is set to buy and rehab Vickie's Place on the Fox River.

Late Tuesday afternoon, Montgomery police and fire personnel responded to reports of kids clinging to a log in the Fox River.

Join Connie Kollmeyer from the Conservation Foundation for The Yorkville Public Library will host “Our Hidden Gem: The Fox River” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

The 14th annual Fox River Summit will be held March 12 in Burlington, Wisconsin and is open to those from Illinois and Wisconsin who have an interest in the Fox River.

While we’ll be celebrating Kendall County’s 185th birthday this year and the nation’s 250th birthday, we ought to also keep in mind that by 1776, Illinois had already been settled for a century.

Quickly becoming a favorite gathering place along the scenic Fox River, St. Charles' downtown First Street Plaza has received an award of excellence.

Continuing the resurgence of East Dundee, an office building in the heart of the downtown just sold for $1.5 million. A restaurant space in nearby West Dundee is on the market.

The city had previously received a loan of $139.2 million, but it turned out to be far less that what the city needed to cover the project as prices grew due to contracting issues.

McHenry City Council members have asked the staff asked to find economic development help for Niko Kanakaris' redevelopment of Vickie's Place, as TIF is not available for site.

Naperville-based Property Addon submitted the concept plan for the property, which is just north of River Run Boulevard in Oswego and directly adjacent to the Fox River to the east.

The Friends of the Fox River is urging community members to join their efforts to prevent the U.S. EPA from ending protections for millions of acres of wetlands and miles of streams. It all comes down to what's defined as "Waters of the United States."

Yorkville Public Library announces its January Adult Services Programs and Events

Now days, we take it for granted that the United States flag belongs in front of our schools, post offices, and other public structures—not to mention in front of so many private homes.

St. Charles is taking another crack at spurring development of the former police station land along river downtown. The public and council rejected proposals in 2021 calling the high-density options misaligned with the public's desires.

Vickie's Place on the Fox River in McHenry is closing Sunday after 40 years. But a new owner already has plans to reopen. Find out who is it.

The McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce has announced which Riverwalk Shoppes are returning in 2026 and what new offerings shoppers will have when they open in May.

Hands-on experience in fundraising, grantmaking, and community impact provided through the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley's Youth Engagement Program.

The intertwined components strengthening Batavia’s community ties were highlighted during the 2025 State of the Community address. Common themes for the “City of Energy” were growth and expanding resources.

Geneva alderpersons this week pushed forward plans to address sewer overflow from heavy rains under the Fox River, part of an $11.6 million project expected to take about 18 months.

After this year’s record-breaking Yortktoberfest, organizer Jason Pesola said the Kiwanis Club of Yorkville might have to establish an extra grant because so much money was raised for scholarships.

Redeveloping Charlestowne Mall, and figuring out whether to sign off on the removal of St. Charles Dam, are among the challenging facing the city.

Virtually every day, the effects of the big lake to our east are brought home to us, even though for those of us out here in the Fox River Valley it is often only through news videos and weather maps on our television screens that we realize what’s happening.

The man whose remains were recovered from the Chain O' Lakes following a boating accident has been identified by the Lake County Coroner's Office.

One person was injured after two personal watercraft crashed into each other along the Fox River in Fox River Grove, officials report.

The Oswegoland Park District was created in a March referendum 75 years ago. The landmark Little White School Museum was completed on its present site at Jackson and Polk streets 175 years ago last spring.

Police and fire personnel responded to a report Tuesday evening of a “possible missing person in the Fox River” in Carpentersville.

But while water parks are fun, they don’t offer the thrills of rollercoasters and other rides that people travel some fair distances to enjoy. At the turn of the century, though, Kendall County residents didn’t have to drive for hours to enjoy amusement rides.

McHenry's Light the Night 2025, which happens Saturday, Sept. 27, includes fireworks and grand opening for the McHenry Riverwalk's last two sections.

McHenry will host its first chalk art festival Sunday, called Chalkwalk, at Miller Point Park and the Riverwalk.

The City of Geneva’s Natural Resources Committee is seeking volunteers for its annual Fox River Clean Up Day from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 20.

A former teacher, Susan Kelly of Crystal Lake recalls how magical books were for her growing up. She hopes to pass along the same feeling in her newly opened, independent Magical Forest Bookstore in Fox River Grove.