The McHenry Outdoor Theater and Star 105.5 are joining forces to help the new Kids in Need Secret Santa program meet demand this holiday season.

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.

The Lake County Board has approved a $676.6 million budget for its fiscal year 2026.

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

A man who was crushed by a vehicle in Wauconda Tuesday morning has been identified by the Lake County Coroner’s Office.

“Multiple” cyber tips led to the arrest of a Wauconda man on charges of possession of material depicting child sexual abuse, police said.

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

A man was killed after getting crushed by a vehicle in what police said was a workplace incident Tuesday in Wauconda.

Adults with autism from northern Illinois talk about their lives and their reactions to lates controversial policy changes and language by the administration of President Trump.

State Rep. Laura Faver Dias, D-Grayslake, is working with state Sen. Mary Edly-Allen, D-Grayslake, to host a community toy drive intended to bring joy to children who may have been overlooked, particularly over the past year.

This Thanksgiving, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office is joining the Illinois State Police and local partners to keep holiday travel safe.

Lake County Journal cartoonist Tom Beck recently swept the Best Use of Humor category at the 2025 Northern Illinois Newspaper Association Awards.

Beginning Nov. 2, two Lake County forest preserves opened illuminated routes so visitors can keep connecting with nature after dark.

The staff at the Fort Sheridan National Cemetery announced those laid to rest at the Fort Sheridan National Cemetery in October 2025.

A would-be congressional candidate from the North suburbs who has an extensive history of antisemitic social media posts was removed from ballot consideration Tuesday.

This year's Jeeps on the Run, one of the largest area contributors toward Toys for Tots, takes place Sunday, Dec. 7 and will be the 13th annual event.

Island Lake Republican Rocio Cleveland went on to remove and describe the items in the bag one by one. They included a toothbrush Cleveland said Abughazaleh would need “once you are in prison … to protect yourself.”

Reflecting what some experts see as a national trend, four of the six congressional representatives running for reelection in the North, West or Northwest suburbs next year are facing primary challenges.

"Exes of Christmas Past" was filmed mostly in Woodstock, with some scenes shot in Lake County. The film is making its streaming debut.

Pace’s 2026 budget is supported by $18.9 million in new funding from state legislation and includes significant service and program investments without increasing fares

Lake Consolidated Emergency Communications (LakeComm) is officially operational at the Regional Operations and Communications Facility in Libertyville, after the successful completion of a two-week consolidation of 911 and public safety communications services.

Applications are now being accepted for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); all income-eligible households are encouraged to apply.

The 19th Judicial Circuit recently gathered clients, participants, current and retired judges, original team members, graduates, justice partners, Lake County elected officials, and Drug Court Team members to celebrate 20 years of growth and success in the Lake County Drug Court

SWALCO is partnering with the Village of Wauconda for a Shoes, Shred, and Seeds event on Nov. 15.

Midwest Veterans Closet will host a Turkey Giveaway for veterans on Nov. 21.

 Metra will be operating its popular Holiday Trains – specially decorated trains filled with holiday characters – on five rail lines this December.

Elgin police Sgt. Richard Free IV, who died Nov. 2, will be laid to rest Friday in Lake County.

Already crowded races for a pair of largely suburban Congressional seats got even more packed, and four representatives find themselves facing challenges within their own party, as candidate filing for the 2026 primary election wrapped up Monday.

Associate Judge George D. Strickland marked a significant milestone Oct. 31 as he retired from the 19th Judicial Circuit after over 19 years of dedicated service to the people of Lake County.

The Lake County Clerk’s Office would like to notify all aspiring young artists that the “I Voted” sticker design contest has been extended.

Building upon the smart infrastructure investments supported by state Sen. Mary Edly-Allen, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced an investment of $6.27 million in road and bridge improvement projects coming to the area.

Kane, DuPage and McHenry county mayors “remain very concerned that not having equity in voting on the new NITA board will set them up to be absolutely steamrolled,” state Sen. Don DeWitte said.

An Elk Grove Village man has been identified as the motorist who was killed when his vehicle was struck by a train in Hainesville, authorities said.

From Capitol News Illinois: The plan calls for raising the existing Regional Transportation Authority sales tax by 0.25 percentage points, to 1% in Lake, McHenry, Kane, DuPage and Will counties and 1.25% in Cook County

Abbott and its philanthropic foundation, Abbott Fund, are teaming up with Northern Illinois Food Bank to help fight childhood hunger.

Brushwood Center officially launched the public phase of its campaign to raise $10 million to expand its programs and renovate its building.

One Hope United, a nonprofit organization serving children and families across Illinois and Florida, is proud to announce the return of its Holiday Hope Express, a heartwarming gift drive that delivers holiday cheer to more than 10,000 children and families each year.

Aqua America, the company which owns area water supplier Aqua Illinois, has been sold. It supplies water in DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Kankakee, Lake, McHenry, Ogle, Will counties, among others.

A prominent Democratic candidate for a largely suburban Congressional seat now faces a criminal charge stemming from protests outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview.

The Cook County Medical Examiner has released the cause of death for a Spring Grove girl who died following dental visit.

A suburban congressional candidate is awaiting trial in a federal fraud case alleging she misused COVID-19 relief funds.

The U.S. House race that’s shaping up to be the most crowded contest on Chicago-area primary ballots next March also could be Illinois’ costliest congressional clash.

With a focus on protecting land and connecting people to nature, the Lake County Forest Preserves’ Board of Commissioners approved its 2026 budget on Oct. 15.

Lake County Chief Judge Daniel B. Shanes has announced that the circuit judges have selected Eric J. Kalata as Lake County’s newest associate judge.

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, Oct. 19 to Oct. 25, was established to increase lead poisoning prevention awareness to reduce childhood lead exposure.

A teacher at Lotus Elementary School in Spring Grove entered an educational sweepstakes and learned she won a $25,000 classroom makeover when organizers showed up to surprise her.

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

An executive order by President Trump bans federal spending for so-called "harm reduction" efforts. Advocates of those who abuse substances say that could lead to more drug-related deaths.

On Oct. 3, the parking lot outside City of Hope was filled with sunshine, cheers, and emotion as 358 cancer survivors marked a powerful milestone

This October, dozens of women across Lake and McHenry counties are coming together with a shared mission: to build safe, affordable homes for local women-led families.