Sniffing, yipping, tail wagging, and more sniffing were all part of the pre-walk ritual for the pups that took part in Polo High School’s Doggy Dash fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.

The first of two fundraisers for Together for Taft was held at Lowden State Park on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. Fest by the Nest included kids activities and live music. The group is also hosting a 5K and one mile run/walk Sunday, Oct. 5.

First prize for Rotary Club of Joliet’s 2025 Cash Raffle is $10,000. Raffle kicks off Tuesday.

A limited selection of gently used evening bags, designer bags, and jewelry boxes will also be available. The White Oak Library District has branches in Crest Hill, Lockport and Romeoville.

Two Erie businesses are hosting a car show Sept. 13, 2025, in Erie’s downtown triangle. The show goes from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is free to attend.

Northern Illinois Food Bank is partnering with Woody’s Apple Orchard in Plano throughout September to mark Hunger Action Month.

A group seeking to resurrect the now-shuttered Lorado Taft Field Campus is hosting two fundraisers in Oregon to raise money in support of their efforts.

Day-of registration is available at the event at Emerson’s Pub, 3312 W. Rock Falls Road, Rock Falls.

OSF Saint Katharine in Dixon will host Salad Day on Sept. 10 to raise funds for the United Way of Lee County. This year’s featured item is the Apple Harvest Sizzling Salad, a fan favorite made with crisp romaine lettuce, apples, celery, mozzarella cheese, and poppyseed dressing.

A group of educators is hosting a fundraiser Sept. 6, 2025, to save and restore the Lorado Taft Field Campus in Oregon.

The Cadet Corps mentors young adults who aspire to become the next generation of law enforcement professionals.

Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers will host its annual Corn Fest 5K on Saturday, Sept. 27, as part of the Grundy County Corn Festival.

The Rochelle Area Community Foundation held a golf outing at Fairways Golf Course on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in Rochelle. The event featured golfers from local businesses and community organizations and nonprofit partners and sponsors with booths at each hole.

The Woodstock Community Choir will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a fundraising gala on Saturday, Sept. 6.

The Ogle County Republican Party’s annual Lowden Day Dinner, held at the River’s Edge Experience in Oregon, was a resounding success, shattering fundraising and attendance records.

For a free-will donation, the all-you-can-eat breakfast includes eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, biscuits and gravy, and pancakes.

Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County is excited to once again bring the opportunity for a local family to win a hand-crafted playhouse thanks to Oregon High School’s FFA Ag Construction class. And new this year is the addition of a second raffle of a storage shed.

The race is scheduled to begin at Morrison High School at 8 a.m. Sept. 20. The race features a 5K Run and a 21-mile bike ride over relatively flat countryside.

MorningStar Mission serves all of Will County by providing food, housing, recovery, counseling and guidance with many programs for individuals. 

The Ogle County K9 Fund Bark and Whine Ball will take place Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, from 5-10 p.m. at the River’s Edge Experience at 103 S. 1st St. in Oregon. The event will include live music by The Vodka Boys, food catered by Ralfie’s BBQ, a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle.

The Oregon High School boys and girls golf teams are holding their ninth annual Playday fundraiser on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at the Silver Ridge Golf Course.

Save-A-Pet is welcoming autumn with the return of its beloved annual fall mum sale, now open for orders through Aug. 30.

After 18 years at the helm, Dixon Family YMCA CEO Andy McFarlane has stepped down, according to a news release issued by the YMCA Board of Directors.

The Dixon Lioness Lions will have a cookout Saturday, Aug, 23, at Oliver’s, 748 N. Britton Ave., Dixon.

In celebration of canines and their humans, the McHenry Outdoor will host a special Bring Your Dog to the Movies event Friday and Saturday, Aug. 22-23.

State Rep. Brad Fritts, R-Dixon, announced Wednesday that he withdrew his membership in the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce after the Chamber added a DEI statement to its website and removed the word “God” from a prayer at its annual scholarship fundraiser

The Lombard Historical Society, in partnership with Brew Avenue Events, will hold its 4th Annual Food Truck Social Fundraiser from 4 to 9 p.m. Sept. 6 at 23 West Maple St. in downtown Lombard.

Pastor Corey Brooks will be the keynote speaker at the Ogle County Republican Party’s annual Lowden Day Dinner on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, at The River’s Edge Experience in Oregon.

CG Granite Countertops will host a special open house from 1 to 3 p.m. Aug. 16 featuring a pop-up showcase of fall fashions by Cabi.

Registration is now open for the 13th annual Jeeps on the Run Toys for Tots Run and after-party scheduled for Dec. 7.

Culver’s restaurants in Dixon and Rock Falls partnered with TwinCities and PADS homeless shelters during the month of June, donating over $1,500 from a share day event and shelter-requested items given by the community.

Village Clerk and Office Manager Maureen Johnson said that work is underway to inspect the Lyndon Bridge’s more than 700 planks for weather deterioration and replacement.

A 2-year-old boy was killed Wednesday when a car crashed into a Portillo’s restaurant in Oswego. Village President Ryan Kauffman shared the link to the GoFundMe page set up for the family.

Tyler Simons of Wisconsin will host “Cars Behind Bars” from noon to 5 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Old Joliet Prison, 1125 Collins St. in Joliet.

For the first time ever, Frank Lloyd Wright's first prairie-style home, The B. Harley Bradley House, will be serving as a backdrop for a photoshoot fundraiser on Aug. 30 to benefit Wright In Kankakee, the nonprofit organization that works to preserve the home.

Comedian Clay Foley is set to bring his unique blend of humor and heart to the Granny Rose Animal Shelter’s K-9 Enrichment Center on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, with his special standup comedy performance, Comedy To The Rescue.

Meals are free, but donations are encouraged, with 100% of all donations going to the fire department. The menu includes brats, pasta salad, chips and Resthave Home cookies.

The meal includes half a chicken, chips, roll and drink for $11. Drive-thru and dine-in options will be available. Proceeds will fund Sterling American Legion charities.

Guests will enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the Dixon sanctuary’s beautiful landscape and the animals who call it home. Register online to secure a spot on the tour.

Participants in the Morningstar Mission fundraiser will enjoy an evening of dining at The Curator’s Cafe, Magpie’s Joy of Eating, The Metro Grill & Bar and La Mex.

DQ stores in Rock Falls and Sterling on Thursday, July 31, 2025, will work to change kids’ health and bring hope to University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital, a Children’s Miracle Network member hospital, through their annual Miracle Treat Day.

The event will feature a 10 a.m. shotgun start at Fairways Golf Course, a day of community connection and a shared celebration of the Foundation’s growth since its founding.

Moon, a McHenry band that had a large local following in the 1980s and opened for the likes of Survivor and Steppenwolf, will reunite for a cancer benefit show at The Vixen July 26.

Iroquois County Historical Society will host its 6th annual boneless tenderized pork chop sandwich fundraiser Friday, Aug. 1.

The Dixon Knights of Columbus Council 690 will host its monthly breakfast from 7:30-10:30 a.m. Sunday, July 27, at KayCee Hall, 506 W. Third St.

The Foundation will offer soft-serve ice cream, flurries, sundaes and root beer floats from Aug. 5 to 9, 2025, during the Carroll County Fair.

Join the Children’s Miracle Network for the Boots on the Ground charity event at the Kankakee Walmart on Saturday, July 5 at 1 p.m.

The Joliet-based Wish Upon a Star nonprofit will host its second Wishstock fundraiser to benefit seriously ill children in Will County.

Save-A-Pet is hosting its first-ever Tee Off Fore Tails Golf Scramble on July 10 at Stonewall Orchard Golf Club in Grayslake.

Among the highlights of summer in the suburbs are “Always…Patsy Cline" on stage, along with the band Asia's John Payne, folk music and blues artists, Wheaton Municipal Band, a book sale extraordinaire and walking tour.