About 100 people gathered for a protest and vigil held in Bourbonnais as part of the nationwide ICE Out for Good Weekend of Action events on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in the wake of the shooting death of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, Minn.

As the first full week of 2026 begins, take a look back at Kankakee County’s top news and feature pictures from 2025, selected by Daily Journal photo editor Tiffany Blanchette.

A Kankakee man was arrested by Bradley police for allegedly battering a woman on Christmas Eve at a Bradley business in the 1000 block of West Broadway Street.

With 2025 in rearview mirror, there are many stories from the just-concluded year which will impact the Kankakee County region moving forward into 2026.

The Kankakee Model Railroad Club is is celebrating Bradley's heritage with the model train car featuring the David Bradley Walk Behind Tractor.

From the passing of former Illinois Gov. George Ryan to county historian Jack Klasey, the Kankakee County community experienced the loss of beloved people.

The first move following Mattel's move with the indoor water park in Bradley took place at Monday's Bradley Village Board meeting.

The year of 2025 proved as the years before it to have big stories that carried the news.

Bradley police arrested a Kankakee man after he allegedly robbed a business located in the 100 block of North Kennedy Drive Saturday.

A Sunday night fire severely damaged a single-family home in the 100 block of South Center Avenue in Bradley.

The parents of Caleb Outerbridge, who never fully regained consciousness after a rare autoimmune disorder took hold just over a year ago, are holding onto moments of hope as they prepare to celebrate another Christmas with their son’s future uncertain.

Michael Turk, owner and president of Turk Furniture’s, said the company’s goal hasn’t changed since Joseph Turk founded Turk Furniture in 1885 in downtown Joliet.

These 10 stories defined conversations around dinner tables, dominated social media feeds, and shaped how residents see their corner of Illinois during 2025

Shaw Local photographers across northern Illinois captured some amazing moments this year, including the excitement and drama of high school sports, the hometown pride of a summer festival, and the reality of the news events that shaped our communities. Together, these images preserve not just what happened in 2025, but how it felt to live in the towns and neighborhoods we call home.

The Bradley Village Board on Monday unanimously approved its $2.37 million property tax levy.

Bradley police made another arrest in an Oct. 2 incident where officers discovered an alleged marijuana growing operation in the 100 block of South Jefferson Avenue while investigating an armed robbery in progress.

This week's announcement of Mattel, Inc., joining Bradley's development of an indoor waterpark in the area of Interstate 57 and Northfield Square mall has the region thinking of its impact.

The planned indoor waterpark in Bradley has a commitment from Mattel, a nationally recognized producer of youth- and family-based toys, games and movies.

Holiday cheer warmed the crowd in the cold weather during the 40th annual Bradley Christmas Parade on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.

Local school districts have begun delving into the student achievement data reported on the 2024-25 Illinois School Report Card, including Bourbonnais, Bradley and Kankakee schools.

Holiday cheer warmed the crowd in the cold weather during the 40th annual Bradley Christmas Parade on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.

After being officially formed about a year ago, the not-for-profit provider of free clothing for Kankakee and Iroquois County foster children, Georgie's Closet, has found its home.

No matter the weather or the circumstances, the Bradley Lighted Christmas Parade has been as reliable as Santa Claus.

Those seeking some snowy fun bundled up and took to the hill for some sledding at Bradley's Helgeson Park on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2025, following Saturday's large winter storm that brought upwards of 6 to 8 inches of snow locally. More snow looks to be on the way Monday.

Those seeking some snowy fun bundled up and took to the hill for some sledding at Bradley's Helgeson Park on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2025.

A Burlington store is moving forward to locate within Bradley.

The ponds at Willowhaven and Diamond Point Parks in Bourbonnais Township will be getting some much needed dredging.

Check out this festive calendar of local events sure provide opportunities for holiday cheer in Kankakee County.

Quinton M. Thompsen, of St. Anne was arrested following an alleged altercation that occurred during a Nov. 20 boys’ basketball game at Bradley Central School.

For the third year in a row, the PAWAC International Scholastic Bowl has crowned a new champion – the Dukes of Dixon High School.

Kankakee County Circuit Judge Kathy Bradshaw-Elliott sentenced Xandria Harris to 10 years Friday for being in direct contempt of court.

The campaign gives the local Salvation Army the opportunity to raise funds that will be used locally to aid those in need, Lt. LaToya Surratt said.

Cost estimates still exceed the district’s planned budget by about $600,000, with a $70,673,796 current price tag.

An oversight in the original construction of the maintenance building at the 315 Sports Park has lead to an additional $1 million in spending.

The Kankakee County Homeless Task Force hosted its third homelessness summit at Kankakee Community College, and said the number of people entering homeless each month has reached an average of zero.

Since its inception in March 2018, the Kankakee chapter has now built more than 1,600 bed frames. The final build of 2025 will be held this Saturday, Nov. 15 in Momence, with deliveries to follow ahead of Christmas.

Before a filled banquet room in Bradley, the Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce honored members and reported strong growth trends within the organization.

During his junior year at Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School, Nick Mayo enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Candidates of established political parties delivered their petitions.

Work on Bourbonnais Township Park District’s future master plan was discussed during Monday’s committee of the whole meeting.

A crisp fall evening greeted Bradley residents as they flipped on their porch lights to welcome trick-or-treaters on Friday night.

The expected cost for Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School’s major facility project is down to about $70.6 million from the previous estimate of $75 million.

Bradley police are investigating a 42-year-old Bradley man being struck by a southbound Canadian National Railway train early Saturday morning.

Attorneys in the Xandria Harris murder trial informed the judge Thursday they had received most of the documents they requested during a Sept. 26 court date.

After serving 12 years as Bourbonnais Township Park District’s information technology administrator, Frank Cianci is set to retire at the end of this week.

Bradley has set the date and time for its upcoming 40th annual Christmas parade along West Broadway Street.

Search our table to see what designation your Kankakee County school received on the 2025 school report card.

Aqua America, the company which owns area water supplier Aqua Illinois, has been sold.

The Bradley Village Board moved forward on its planned $51-million bond sale for construction of the planned indoor water park.

An additional hour was added to the Trick-or-Treat hours in Bradley.