The list of candidates for next year’s elections began to take shape this week. On the ballot next year are countywide offices, two county-level judicial vacancies and seats on the McHenry County Board and in the Illinois House and Congress.

Democratic candidate Rick Konter says “it’s time to go purple” on his campaign website as he challenges incumbent Tom Weber, R-Lake Villa, who touts his ability to work with Democrats to pass legislation despite being in the minority party.

Monday marked the first day for candidates to file ahead of the June primary. Here's everyone who has filed so far in McHenry County races.

The move was inspired by a plan issued earlier this month by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, to add the COVID-19 vaccine to the list of inoculations required to attend school in-person once it receives full FDA approval for middle and high school students.

A former Illinois state representative has released a book recounting her “misadventures” during her early 20s as a Peace Corps volunteer in southern Belize.