Kankakee won its first-ever All-City boys volleyball title, and the first with all three city schools active in the same year, with a 2-1 comeback win at Bradley-Bourbonnais Thursday, April 9, 2026.

Sophie Klawitter threw a no-hitter to power Peotone softball, while Bradley-Bourbonnais and Coal City both took sixth-inning leads that turned into wins. Those games and more in Thursday's Daily Journal roundup.

As the MLB and MLS seasons have kicked off in recent weeks, several area natives are continuing their professional careers.

From Capitol News Illinois:

From Capitol News Illinois: The Illinois State Board of Education presented its budget request for $10.9 billion to fund public schools in the upcoming fiscal year. The request includes $300 million in new spending for schools, plus $50 million for property tax relief grants

Kankakee County Coroner Bob Gessner identified 34-year-old Jose Orozco, of Bradley, as the suspect Bradley police officers shot and killed during a well-being check in the 600 block of Jonette Avenue Wednesday.

In this weekend’s “A Taylor-Made Life,” Taylor Leddin-McMaster reminds dog owners to keep their dogs leashed following an incident which injured McMaster's young puppy.

KCC is one of only 12 community colleges in Illinois to earn the Military Friendly designation this year.

Insurance adjusters remain in the review process as Kankakee property evaluation continue.

The Kays avenged a loss to Crete-Monee, the Fightin' Irish had another dominant conference outing and more in Wednesday's Daily Journal roundup.

The Secretary of State's Office said the scam messages threaten that failure to pay non-existent back tolls will result in penalty fees and even suspension of driving privileges and vehicle registration.

A motion on an ordinance for allowing remote attendance via Zoom didn’t get a second at Monday’s board meeting.

From Capitol News Illinois: A lack of domestic workforce participation in agriculture pushes Illinois farmers to employ foreign workers through the temporary H-2A non-immigrant visa program. Illinois’ employment of farmers through the visa program has grown rapidly

Shaw Local is taking a look at a number of potential prospects who could fit the Chicago Bears’ needs in the first round of the NFL draft later this month. Here’s how Missouri edge rusher Zion Young could be a fit with the Bears.

From Capitol News Illinois: Illinois lawmakers are considering a bill that could allow drivers with suspended licenses to continue driving with a speed control device in their car

Kankakee became the first municipality to approve a new 3-year agreement with Visit Kankakee County.

When politicians start talking about hybrids, demons, Roswell and secret files, even sensible people begin to look up a little longer at the night sky.

A series of films showcasing the unique qualities of Chicago will be featured in the 8th Annual Chicago Southland International Film Festival at Governors State University this weekend.

The single-family residence located at 605 Chase Court in Bourbonnais was sold on March 9. The purchase price was $430,000.

Wilmington wrapped up a series sweep over Herscher with an 8-1 home victory on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Grant Park's Cheyenne Hayes had 18 strikeouts in a no-hitter against Clifton Central, Beecher's Taylor Norkus threw a four-inning perfect game in a doubleheader sweep of St. Anne and more in Tuesday's Daily Journal roundup.

A grand slam from Cooper Holman highlighted a six-run sixth inning for Wilmington in Tuesday's game against Herscher, one where Ryan Kettman threw a gem and had three hits to lift the Wildcats to a two-game sweep of the Tigers.

Kankakee fell 20-11 to Crete-Monee in Southland Athletic Conference play on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 315 Sports Park in Bradley.

Democratic congressional members from Illinois are questioning President Donald Trump’s fitness for office and calling his threats to destroy Iran as a country "dangerous."

Vote on IGA for Visit Kankakee County will have to wait

From Capitol News Illinois: A bill in the legislature would eventually allow driverless vehicles to operate in Illinois counties that have more than 1 million residents, plus Sangamon and three downstate jurisdictions. They could replace rideshare and taxi drivers

Bishop McNamara ran away with a 15-2 win in its Chicagoland Christian Conference softball opener, Reed-Custer's Sophia Moyers threw a five-inning no-hitter in a conference win for the Comets, and more in Monday's Daily Journal roundup.

April Grooves Day brings local musicians together on April 18 for a live music fundraiser supporting CIRKA's mission to expand arts access in Kankakee County.

Bradley-Bourbonnais fought back for a 4-3 victory over Herscher on Monday, April 6, 2026.

Coal City's Lance Cuddy outdueled Streator's Clay Christoff on Monday, twirling a complete-game shutout as the Coalers won their ICE series opener against the host Bulldogs 8-0.

From Capitol News Illinois: Gov. JB Pritzker and Democrats have added a new abortion access measure to their agenda that would allow people with limited or no insurance to get financial assistance for abortion care in Illinois.

Meet this week's Daily Journal Athlete of the Week, Kankakee girls soccer senior Jocelyn Sanchez.

The Rotary Club of Bradley-Bourbonnais will host their 16th annual household shred event from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

Real estate news: The single-family residence located at 2940 River Bend Drive in Kankakee was sold on March 10, for $580,000, or $314 per square foot.

Statewide teacher vacancies decreased by 24% with less than 3,000 vacancies remaining in the state as of Oct. 1, 2025, according to the Illinois State Board of Education.

The Chicago Bears will try to make key roster additions in the NFL draft later this month in Pittsburgh. Here is everything Bears fans need to know about the 2026 NFL draft.

The single-family residence located at 274 White Hawk Way in Manteno was sold on Feb. 19. The purchase price was $231,500.

Professional excavators and DIY homeowners alike are encourged to call 811 to safely mark utility lines before starting a digging project.

Rain totals varied Friday and Saturday across northern Illinois.

Catch up on the week’s top Kankakee County news in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you, for the week of March 29-April 4

New staff will lead youth development programs in Will, Kankakee, and Grundy counties.

The United Way of Kankakee & Iroquois Counties is inviting community members to get out and serve with one of 29 local service projects on Earth Day, April 22.

Hosted in partnership with the Diocese of Joliet, Franciscan University of Steubenville and Partnership for Youth, the conference will welcome thousands of high school teens for a week of worship.

The single-family residence located at 239 Barrington Lane in Bourbonnais was sold on Feb. 19. The purchase price was $344,500.

From Capitol News Illinois: Elected officials and advocates for both domestic violence survivors and immigrant rights are warning of an uptick in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence around Cook County’s Domestic Violence Courthouse, in violation of both an order fro

The Zonta Club of Kankakee announced two awards earlier this week: the Young Women in Leadership Award and the Women in STEM Award.

The Ikebana Society Floral Art Show will be at the B. Harley Bradley House in Kankakee on Saturday, April 25.

From Capitol News Illinois: Nearly seven years after Illinois lawmakers approved recreational cannabis legalization, applicants who lost out on coveted business licenses are still battling the state in court, alleging the law’s rollout undermined its purported equity goals.

Addie Wilkins had another shutout to help keep Herscher girls soccer undefeated, Bradley-Bourbonnais baseball won a slugfest against Oak Forest and more in Saturday's Daily Journal roundup.

Morris resident Mike Gallagher discusses the importance of Illinois wetlands, and how recent changes have reduced protections.