The Plein Air Exhibition and Stories in Portrait Exhibition, sponsored by the Rock River Valley Painters Guild, will open Oct. 22 and run through Nov. 15 at The Next Picture Show in Dixon.

Joliet Public Schools District 86 students announced its Students of the Month for September.

Plainfield East seniors Kyleah Edison and Rishi Shah are among the more than 16,000 National Merit Scholarship 2026 semifinalists

Byron Woman’s Club has named Susan Zumdahl as its 2025 Byron Woman of the Year.

Stillman Bank is proud to announce that Kathy Yocum, vice president and director of retail banking, has been named the 2025 Woman of the Year by the Illinois Bankers Association.

Made in Kendall is a program of the Kendall County Economic Development Office with the goal of promoting manufacturing and supporting manufacturers and makers in Kendall County.

Two Whiteside County businesses have advanced to the top 100 finalists in the 2025 Chicago Innovation Awards. Online voting for the People’s Choice Award is open through Oct. 9.

More than 2,000 people have participated this year in the forest preserve district's Be a Trailblazer program, completing over 60,000 nature-themed missions.

The Lincoln-Way Foundation for Educational Excellence has announced the addition of Loreal Flowers to its board of directors.

The center earned the Clinical Distinction Award for demonstrating “exceptional success by meeting or exceeding clinical benchmarks,” according to a news release from Silver Cross Hospital.

Sauk Valley Community College hosts local artist Les Allen for a new exhibit titled “The Shape of Light”. The exhibit runs to Thursday, Nov. 20, and takes place in the Sauk Art Gallery. The gallery is open during campus hours and is free to the public.

Two Dixon residents were honored Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, for stepping in and disarming a Dixon man Sept 3.

Vern Tervelt, Mike Anderson, Christy Wiersema Houzenga and the 2010 softball team to be honored.

OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Medical Center in Dixon is proud to announce the recipients of its third-quarter DAISY and Sunflower Awards. The DAISY winners are Kaitlynn Pfeiffer and Paige Lewis, while the Sunflower Award winner is Audra Suter.

The Joliet Junior College Foundation will honor outstanding alumni and community members during its annual Night of Stars celebration

The honorees include two groups from Franklin Grove and Dixon recognized for their vital roles in conserving and maintaining Franklin Creek State Natural Area.

Saint Joseph Medical Center, a member of Prime Healthcare and a Comprehensive Stroke Center, received award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive timely and appropriate treatment.

Arron Sain of Joliet appeared on “No Utensils Needed,” of the Food Network’s “Supermarket Stakeout” program, which aired July 22.

The award acknowledges excellence in membership growth, promotion of insurance benefits, support for Catholic faith formation programs, and service-based volunteer efforts.

The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association both recognized the stroke program at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox.

The city of Joliet Neighborhood Hero Award program celebrates residents who take great pride in maintaining their properties

The Kendall County Association of Chiefs of Police hosted the annual event, which recognizes exceptional law enforcement officers and civilian staff from agencies across the county for their service, bravery, and professionalism.

Four Lockport Township High School students received medals at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference this summer after winning state championships this spring.

Oswego’s Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist won the 2025 John Wesley Mission Links award for per-member giving.

The African American Business Association of Will County recognized eight local organizations and individuals at its Juneteenth CEO & Awards Gala.

The resolution honoring Dr. Jeff Schutt as Kendall County Citizen of the Year notes that he has dedicated “more than 20 years to coaching high school teams, instilling discipline, teamwork and perseverance in student-athletes.”

Shaw Local newspapers received a combined 33 awards Thursday, June 5, 2025, in news contest categories that included general excellence, photography, news writing, opinion writing, design, community service and editorial pages.

Joliet Public Schools District 86 has announced that 19 of its students have been named recipients of the Joliet Region Hawk Education Scholarship.

The LTHS 205 Foundation presented staff members nominated by students with their annual William and Mildred Jackson Teacher Recognition Award and the Golden Key Award on Thursday.

Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital received its fourth Magnet designation and its first Magnet with Distinction designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

The Plainfield Foundation for Excellence has awarded 22 District 202 teachers with grants that will allow them to take part in special professional growth programs this summer.

Allison Burrs of Carroll County took first place in the Senior Individual Presentation category.

Scholarships and student achievement awards have been given to students in the Rock Falls High School Class of 2025.

The 12 Plainfield District 202 juniors can use the Horizon Grants for summer workshops, classes, field studies, internships or conferences during the summer before their senior year.

The Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce has announced the 2025 recipients of the annual Joliet Region Education Hawk Scholarship.

Werk Force Brewing in Plainfield earned a bronze medal at the 2025 World Beer Cup.

The city of Joliet is accepting nominations until May 30 for its annual recognition of residents who better the community by sprucing up their own property.

Several groups and individuals were recognized Thursday, May 1, 2025, for their work this past fundraising year. Those awards include Rising Star of the Year, Campaign Champion, Business of the Year, Employee Excellence, Partner Agency of the Year and Spirit of United Way.

This is the third consecutive year Newman High School students have received top awards in the Illinois State Poetry Contest.

The Forest Preserve District of Will County is celebrating bird season with its annual bird photography competition for all ages.

The Joliet Area Historical Museum was recently honored by The Illinois Association of Museums by winning its highest award.

All makes, models and years are welcome. Awards will be presented to the Top 40, Mayor’s Choice and Best of Show.

Discover Dixon held its annual Best of Dixon gala Friday, April 4, 2025, at the Elk’s Club to recognize Dixon residents who have exemplified service and commitment to the community.

The members of the Pierce Downer’s Heritage Alliance are taking a breather after decades of service to Downers Grove and are passing the torch of community activism.

Discover Dixon handed out their Best of Dixon awards during a gala Friday, April 4, 2025. Chris Hammitt was named recipient of the Citizen of the Year award.

The Joliet American Legion Band’s spring concert will also feature refreshments, raffles and a silent auction.

The contest play entry took second place and group interpretation took third in their respective events at the Huntley High School Sectional. 

The 16-year-old won two bronze medals in taekwondo at the USA Team Trials in individual and pair competition in the freestyle poomsae discipline.

Joliet Central High School has announced the top 10 finalists for this year's Mr. and Ms. J. Finalists were chosen by faculty based on school involvement, community service and character.

A teacher from Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 was named as one of ISBE's teachers of the year.