In 1961, Jerry Smith was washing windows at a JCPenney in Dixon when he thought he caught a lucky break: He’d found a job at a shoe store that would pay him $60 a week. Fast forward a few decades to NIU, Army service in Germany, a mayoral term: "I have been so blessed," he said.

Permits became available on Nov. 1 and are valid for the remainder of 2025 and all of 2026. Each permit grants access to all six off-leash dog parks:

Indian Trail Elementary School Emily Stubbs hasn't wasted any time getting involved in all phases of running the Downers Grove Grade School District 58

With spring here and temperatures slowly warming it is time to get out your bike and head out to these Will County trails.

Many Illinois communities are adding back a 1% grocery tax that will otherwise expire on Jan. 1. Is your town among them?

The Disability Pride Event in Joliet was meant to remind people that “to be disabled means to be part of a community of fighters,” said Riley Spreadbury.

The Chicago Bears are poised to move to the suburbs. But are Illinois lawmakers – and local taxpayers – going to help them do it?

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The Illinois State Board of Education has appointed 21 members to its Student Advisor Council, including two from Plainfield.

The annual festival now doubles as an Oktoberfest and has grown since its origin in 2016.

Guzman Y Guzman, a Mexican fast-casual restaurant, will offer BOGO burritos or bowls from 4-11 p.m. Fridays September through November. Visit locations in Crystal Lake and Naperville.

Thirty-five years ago, the F5 “1990 Plainfield Tornado” devastated the Will County area, killing 29 people, injuring more than 353, with around $380 million today in damages. Parts of Kendall County were also hit.

U.S. Rep. Underwood discusses redistricting and Israel-Hamas conflict at DeKalb town hall.

Oswego Village President Ryan Kauffman moderated the town hall, which was part of Underwood’s summer town hall series. The congresswoman has three more scheduled over the next week in DeKalb, LaSalle and Bureau counties.

The town hall meeting at Oswego High School is part of her summer town hall series.

The new restaurant, located in Naperville's new Block 59 development, is Chicago-based Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant’s Roman pizza/dining concept.

Marquette Management provides property management for more than 14,000 units across eight states. Emblem Oswego is located at 2000 Emblem Circle.

As community colleges take on an evolving role in recent years, Shaw Local News Network is providing details on the compensation of presidents who lead 10 of these publicly funded schools in northern Illinois.

A 28-year-old Aurora man was killed early Sunday morning when his motorcycle crashed into a retaining wall in Naperville, police said.

Illinois residents could pay hundreds more for their marketplace insurance plans in 2026, said U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Naperville, to dozens of constituents Saturday.

These marriage licenses were recently recorded at the Bureau County Courthouse.

Thirteen Illinois state drivers license locations in the suburban Chicago area will begin offering walk-in Saturday service starting Aug. 9.

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood told a crowd at a Joliet town hall that she’s received no response from top federal officials regarding a report of a “reckless” immigration enforcement incident in the city. 

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Naperville, will host a series of town halls in every county in Illinois’ 14th District this month, her office announced Friday.

Residents and sustainability advocates held a news conference Monday urging St. Charles and Naperville city councils to eschew proposed 20-year contracts with the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency.

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood wants answers about alleged federal immigration enforcement activity in Joliet that she says flagrantly violated law enforcement standards and recklessly put people at risk.

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is seeking formal statements of interest from individuals or organizations with a vision for rehabilitating and reusing Oak Cottage.

Half-price dog park permits for the Forest Preserve District of Will County are available for purchase starting Tuesday, July 1. The permits can be used at all six forest preserve dog parks through the end of this year.

First Secure Community Bank has been recognized by the Illinois Bankers Association as a recipient of the 2025 Illinois Community Service Award.

Almost four years after his “I Have a Dream” speech, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. arrived at a tent-in demonstration in DuPage County.

A prolific homebuilder wants to buy a chunk of land near Naperville from the DuPage Water Commission.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood of Naperville has one fewer potential Republican challenger to worry about in 2026.

The drive-through-only coffee chain 7 Brew is quickly expanding its presence in the McHenry County, with several new locations planned.

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Naperville, is seeking federal funding for the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation to build a government office on tribal land, according to a news release from her office.

A Woodridge man died Thursday night after his motorcycle crashed into an SUV in Naperville.

The Northern Illinois University Child Development and Family Center in DeKalb could get a boost thanks to U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Naperville.

A bill sponsored by Democratic U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood of Naperville that would require Amtrak to have at least one baby changing table in a restroom in each train car is one step closer to becoming law.

From airplane- and train- themed restaurants to a retro cafe and more, here are some restaurants the whole family will love.

Elburn Village President Jeff Walter has thrown his hat in the ring for congress and running for the Republican nomination for the 11th Illinois Congressional District. Democrat Bill Foster currently holds the seat.

Despite having shed a few stores in recent years, The Fresh Market grocery chain is in the midst of a true growth spurt, bringing its distinct stores to redeveloping areas of the suburbs.

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood spoke with constituents in Joliet on Saturday, accompanied by fellow Democrat Congressman Maxwell Frost of Florida. The pair discussed the proposed Republican budget bill and how social services, veterans and job programs will be impacted.

Hikers and kayakers will find special programs for them at Will County forest preserves this week.

Farmers markets are opening throughout the suburbs. Some start in June or later; others have already begun. Here’s a helpful guide.

The Illinois Department of Public Health advises private well owners to have their water tested for elevated PFAS levels, especially if they live near communities whose public wells were found to have excessive quantities of the "forever chemicals."

A former Neuqua Valley High School teacher will be allowed to travel to Wisconsin while he awaits trial on charges alleging he inappropriately touched a 16-year-old student.

Naperville, formerly the third largest city in Illinois, reclaims that status as it edges out Joliet in latest census data.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood of Naperville will seek reelection in the 14th District next year rather than run for an open Senate seat.

Thousands of people turned out Sunday afternoon to participate in the Hands Across Chicagoland protest, a demonstration against the Trump administration that stretched along Ogden Avenue from Aurora to Chicago

Go back to the Prohibition era at these speakeasy bars located in St. Charles, La Salle, Elgin, Lockport and more northern Illinois locations.

The rise in trail use at forest preserves and parks throughout the region comes with words of caution from those who oversee the facilities, especially when it comes to electric bicycles, or e-bikes.