Gov. Pritzker on Tuesday signed legislation that raises $1.5 billion to fill a fiscal hole for the Chicago area’s public transit agencies set to kick in next year. Legislation relies on increased sales tax in the Chicago area and a diversion of funds from the state’s Road Fund.

Hunters in Illinois took a preliminary total of 81,225 deer during the seven-day 2025 Illinois firearm deer season that concluded Dec. 7

150 years on, a small Lee County village still finds its strength in the neighbors who never stopped looking out for one another. As Compton celebrates its sesquicentennial, its people remind each other what truly endures in their small town.

Here's a list of Lee County property transfers for Dec. 8-12, 2025.

The results are in for Blackhawk Hills Regional Council’s 2025 Northwest Illinois Housing Design Competition. Eleven entries were submitted by designers and scored by a 9-person judging panel with experience in accessibility, community and economic development, and design.

Willard Simpson of Franklin Grove served in the United States Army from 1943-1946 and fought in the Battle of the Bulge in Europe during World War II.

The Village of Ashton celebrated the Christmas season with the annual Christmas Walk on Saturday, Dec. 6.

While wanting to help is commendable, it’s important to prioritize food safety. Those relying on food pantries often face higher risks of severe illness due to chronic health conditions, age or other factors.

United Way of Lee County will host a Pop Culture Trivia Night on Thursday, Jan. 22, at the Post House Ballroom. Doors open at 5 p.m., with trivia beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Here's a list of property transfers for Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties for Dec. 1-5, 2025.

The Illinois winter weather rule limits utilities from disconnecting eligible customers in who use electric or gas as their primary source of home heating

Only one in five Illinois residents has received the flu vaccine, and far fewer have received the updated COVID-19 vaccine as of the end of November, according to the state Department of Public Health

Dixon Rural and Dixon City firefighters and Advance EMS were dispatched at 12:46 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, to a structure fire at 1706 Spring St., Nachusa, according to a news release from Dixon Rural Fire Chief Dustin Dahlstrom.

Here's a list of property transfers for Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties for Nov. 24-28, 2025.

Brandon Clark sits down with Lori Cortez, Vice President of Advancement at Sauk Valley Community College, to talk about how the SVCC Foundation is changing lives.

Brandon Clark talks with Ashley Richter, Executive Director of United Way of Lee and Ogle Counties, about upcoming community events like Shop Day with Lou+Co, the Dolly Book Bash, and Society Boutique Shop Day.

Whelan: We are committed to being constructive partners in developing solutions that keep Illinois safe and support a justice system the public can rely on.

Woodlawn Arts Academy will present its 2025-26 Winter Art Exhibit, “A New Chapter,” beginning Dec. 12, 2025. The public is invited to attend the opening reception for the exhibit from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12.

Here's a list of property transfers for Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties for Nov. 17-21, 2025.

A storm with accumulating snow blanketing Northern Illinois started early Saturday morning and is expected to continue through the evening with peak snowfalls in the late afternoon.

Feathered gobblers are much more than the center of customers’ holiday meals for Renee Koster and her family at Windsweep Farm in Lee County.

While the National Weather Service stressed that exact snowfall totals and the precise track of the storm remain uncertain, confidence is growing that much of the region will experience accumulating snow during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year

Northern Illinois is forecast to get hit with turbulent winds Wednesday followed by accumulating snowfall this weekend that could affect Thanksgiving travel.

Here's a list of Lee, Whiteside and Ogle County property transfers for Nov. 10-14, 2025.

Officials expect it will result in an estimated bill increase of $13.03 for a home valued at $150,000, according to the approved tax ordinance.

On this episode of Talk Line, Brandon Clark sits down with Andy Jackson, Marketing Manager for Sinnissippi Centers, to explore local mental-health resources and community support programs.

The Lee County Council on Aging welcomed U.S. Congressman Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, on Nov. 7 for a special visit recognizing the dedication and service of the agency’s employees.

Lee County officials are hosting an open house Dec. 3, 2025, at the court services building in Dixon to showcase renovations.

Community members can browse and bid on more than 60 unique baskets and local gift certificates, all from the comfort of their home, while supporting programs that create lasting change in Lee County.

The Ashton-Franklin Center School District recently released its honor roll for the first quarter of the 2025-2026 school year.

Here's a list of Lee, Whiteside and Ogle county property transfers for Nov. 3-7, 2025.

United Way of Lee County is celebrating the success of its inaugural Downtown Dolly Stampede, held Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in downtown Dixon. Despite the chilly weather, more than 40 enthusiastic participants turned out.

Here are some of the crimes that remain a mystery in northern Illinois

Ashton's Kaiden Gomez won a national chess tournament for youth players ranked 1700 and above in Omaha.

Brandon Clark spoke with Katie Baker, Lee County’s 4-H Youth Development Program Coordinator, on Talk Line. They discussed local 4-H programs, community projects, and upcoming opportunities for kids.

The proposed 2025 property tax rate is 82.42 cents per $100 of equalized assessed value, an increase from the 2024 rate of 79.46 cents.

Here's a list of Lee, Whiteside and Ogle county property transfers for Oct. 27-31, 2025.

There are hundreds of World War I monuments across Illinois – remain silent reminders of a war legacy that still lingers more than a century later.

Sauk Valley Community College provides services to veteran students and their families to help them utilize their federal and state benefits and connect to area resources.

Region 3 will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 21, at the Bureau Putnam Area Transit, 535 Elm Place, Princeton.

A Steward man has been identified as the victim of a Monday farm equipment and field fire in rural Steward and Lee County

Lee County candidates had until 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, to turn in their nomination papers as they seek candidacy for the March 17 primary election.

Two Amboy men were charged with delivering methamphetamine in late October following separate investigations by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

United Way of Lee County will host its biggest fundraiser of the year, the Girlfriend Gala, from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, at the Dixon Elks Lodge.

Popsicles come in different shapes and varieties, and a Franklin Grove woman has has put her own twist to the treats – using real fruits and what grows in her garden to create a variety of tasty flavors that make customers' taste buds pop.

Here's the list of Lee, Whiteside and Ogle counties’ property transfers for Oct. 20-24, 2025.

Jonathon Gounaris, 33, is charged with shooting three members of the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Team after a three-hour standoff when police tried to enter his home in Lost Lake, a rural subdivision east of Dixon in June 2024.

Already struggling with growing numbers of people in need of food assistance, Sauk Valley-area food pantries are now bracing for the even greater numbers expected in the wake of SNAP benefits ending Nov. 1, 2025, as part of the federal government shutdown.

Paschal: While going through my archive from the last month or so, a few different techniques came to light in how I watch people.

The prosecuting attorney told a Lee County judge Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, that a plea deal is being negotiated in the case of a Dixon man accused of disseminating images and videos of child sexual abuse.