Stillman Valley High School Students of the Month for April were recently named.

The not-for-profit credit union also has full-service branch offices in Aurora, Batavia, Montgomery, Oswego and Yorkville, as well as a student-run branch in Oswego High School.

Stillman Bank recently welcomed Taylor Boostrom as retail banking officer, according to Thomas Hughes, president and CEO.

The Millie Moo Foundation in Hillsdale has been selected as the first-place recipient of the ninth annual Sterling Federal Bank Charity Challenge, earning the top award of $20,000 to support pediatric cancer families and fund agricultural scholarships.

Byron Bank recently announced the return of its fourth annual community calendar photo contest, inviting individuals across northern Illinois to help capture and celebrate the places, moments and memories that make local communities unique.

There’s heightened concern across the Corn Belt due to the surge in fertilizer and fuel prices, combined with a volatile commodity market.

St. Charles police say there is no threat to the public after a bank robbery.

Tailgate Bingo tickets go on sale April 24 at Sauk Valley Bank locations in Rock Falls and Sterling and online at www.rockfallschamber.com.

As chief lending officer, Billy Johnson will oversee the bank’s lending strategy and lending teams across all markets.

With farmers capturing only a small share of the food dollar, even modest swings in commodity prices or increases in input costs can quickly strain farm finances.

Sauk Valley Bank recently announced Lori Gajdzik is the Harvard market president of Sauk Valley Bank.

Thomas R. Hughes, president and CEO of Stillman BancCorp, and the board of directors, recently announced the promotions of bank officers.

Following extensive damage caused by the tornado and hailstorm on March 10, First American Bank announced it will permanently consolidate the operations of the Kankakee and Bourbonnais branches.

After growing with the firm over the past seven years as an adviser, Sean Considine has acquired Byron Wealth Management as of March 31, 2026.

Stillman Bank President and CEO Tom Hughes presented Ogle County Historical Society Board Member Tom Lichty with a check for $1,310 to purchase one of the stainless-steel vaults needed for the project.

Byron High School Students of the Month for February were recently named.

Byron High School Students of the Month for January were recently named.

Bank of America marked a milestone in Lake County, cutting the ribbon on its first financial center in Gurnee and its 12th location countywide.

Bob Smith of Morrison has joined Sauk Valley Bank as a VP commercial and agriculture lender.

On this episode of Talk Line, host Brandon Clark talks with Courtney Ligtenberg from the 1st National Bank in Amboy about private banking, and how they can help customers leverage those services to enhance their financial portfolio. 

The First National Bank in Amboy invites residents to take part in National Consumer Protection Week from March 1-7.

Travis Howell and Mandi Ballard have joined Sauk Valley Bank.

Sauk Valley Bank is pleased to welcome Warren Laube as its new chief credit officer.

Central Bank Illinois recently announced a series of executive and officer-level promotions.

Breanna Cisketti, ag/commercial lender at First State Bank Shannon Polo Lake Carroll, recently attended the Community Bankers Association of Illinois Ag Lenders Conference.

Stillman Bank recently welcomed Kelly Pospischil as a commercial lender, according to Thomas R. Hughes, president and CEO.

Headquartered in Sterling, Sauk Valley Bank is a locally owned, community financial institution that offers solutions that fit customers' personal, commercial, and agricultural financial needs.

Cassandre Mlakar, wealth adviser at FSB Wealth Group, Shannon, has earned a place among LPL Financial’s Institution Ascent Club Program for 2025.

Officials are investigating an armed robbery at a BMO Harris bank branch in Lisle on Tuesday morning

Stillman Bank recently welcomed Jennifer Whiteman as senior vice president and chief credit officer, according to Thomas R. Hughes, president and CEO.

Stillman Bank recently welcomed Monica Meyers as director of loan operations, according to Thomas R. Hughes, president and CEO.

Sauk Valley Community College’s Impact Program has announced a 3-year, $15,000 pledge from The First National Bank in Amboy.

Stillman Bank held its 61st annual Holiday Giveaway drawing Dec. 22. The bank had a total of six winners throughout its six locations.

Stillman Bank recently held its annual Christmas coloring contest for children up to 10 years old.

Janel Cabadas, a lifelong Oswego resident, becomes the new Earthmover Credit Union CEO on Jan. 1

The month-long initiative took place from Oct. 24 through Nov. 24 at both the Bank’s Main Branch in Morris and its Wilmington Branch.

Community bankers around the country gathered in Washington in November to discuss the latest challenges currently facing community banks across the country, according to Sally Scanlan, president of Community State Bank of Rock Falls.

These devices can detect and alert the officer using them of the presence of card skimming apparatus, which are used to steal credit and debit card information.

Agricultural conditions remained strained but slightly improved over the last six weeks, according to a survey across the Corn Belt’s Federal Reserve Districts.

Sterling Federal Bank has announced President and Chief Executive Officer Dean Ahlers will retire and that Bo Mays will take over that role next month.

Cassandre R. Mlakar has been promoted to senior vice president, FSB Wealth Group. Mlakar joined FSB Wealth Group and First State Bank Shannon-Polo-Lake Carroll in 2009.

Collection bins are located at Silver Spoon Restaurant, 1701 W. Jefferson St. in Joliet and Busey Bank, located at 2801 Black Road, Joliet.

First State Bank Shannon-Polo-Lake Carroll recently announced the promotion of Allyson Roling to lending officer.

Financial stress is severe and persistent across farm country, according to a new Market Intel report from the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Ashley Speed began he career at Grundy Bank in May 2008.

Agricultural conditions across the Corn Belt are strained in part due to concerns about China’s elimination of soybean purchases and low crop prices, according to a Federal Reserve survey.

Byron Bank is proud to once again participate and be a drop-off location for the Ogle County Toys for Tots program during the 2025 holiday season.

The Joliet Noon Lions are collecting items for Cornerstone Services group homes.

Stillman Bank recently promoted a key member of its team in northern Illinois. Kaitlyn Jones has been promoted to the position of treasury relationship manager, according to Thomas R. Hughes, president and CEO.

Sterling Federal Bank, a trusted icon in Sterling, was named one of the nation’s most extraordinary banks on Sept. 25, 2025, by The Institute for Extraordinary Banking.