Frank Thomas – aka the “Big Hurt” appeared at Goodfellas Cigar Lounge in Joliet to sign bottles of his FT35 brand of spirits and chat with attendees.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Thursday for the biggest private residential project in downtown Joliet.

ChatGPT will be able to have kinkier conversations after OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced the artificial intelligence company will soon allow its chatbot to engage in “erotica for verified adults.”

The Illinois General Assembly is expected to address transit funding, energy, grid reform and property insurance, among other issues, during its fall veto session.

Earlier this year, village trustees unanimously approved plans for the 12,500-square-foot grocery store. Benderson Development Company, LLC. plans to build a grocery store along with another building.

Hundreds of children and close to 100 businesses are expected for this year’s Biz Boo! festivities hosted annually by the Yorkville Area Chamber of Commerce.

The founder of an Ottawa favorite, Chuck’s Gourmet Cheese, died Tuesday. 

Roxy Cinemas is closed while undergoing renovations.

The Do it Best Foundation has distributed more than $115,000 in grants this quarter to local organizations, including the Dixon Family YMCA and Hope Cancer Wellness Center in Dixon, supporting children and families in communities where Do it Best team members live and work.

Just in-time for the turkey-rush, the brand new Costco in Yorkville will be celebrating its grand opening on Nov. 12.

The ribbon cutting will be held 4 p.m. Thursday 331 N. Ottawa St. in Joliet.

Amanda Maddox, an advanced practice registered nurse, is providing primary care for patients of all ages at the Morris Healthcare Center of Morris Hospital.

The owner of the Aspen Ridge Golf Course is seeking a repeal of the just-implemented 5% entertainment tax in Bradley.

JACKpots Pub owners, Jessica and Chad Lucas, announced they will be handing their Streator business over to new owners.

Tiring of weak tires? A Fulton tire shop can help make those needed repairs to get the farming routines back on schedule.

Applications are available for full- and part-time bell ringers at the Salvation Army office, 516 W. Madison St. The schedule is flexible, but part-time work needs to be consistent.

After seeking an owner by word of mouth without success, Bizzy Bee Activity & Learning Center in Streator is on the market.

Kohl’s store in Bradley is one of three in Illinois that will be powered by solar.

They anticipate being open in the spring.

Tony’s Bar & Grill recently opened in Joliet at former Eden’s Garden space.

The new Goodfellas Cigar Lounge in Joliet will hold a grand opening celebration on Oct. 16, which will include an appearance by when National Baseball Hall of Famer Frank Thomas.

A new boutique in Yorkville will have you ready to step into the mystic. Moon Phaze is a witchy, inclusive, sex-positive boutique, created for like-minded people to gather and share unique experiences and build community.

Enclave Coworking, 10 W. State St., Geneva, is a co-working lounge and professional community for customers to find a productive work environment, entertain clients or launch a business.

The Grundy Economic Development Council will be hosting a post tour from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. starting with the Morris Municipal Airport before heading to Procter & Gamble’s Morris facility.

Now in its second month, the Operation Midway Blitz immigration crackdown is causing staffing shortages and other problems at Chicago-area restaurants, industry insiders say

With its workforce at 350, Gotion Illinois officials anticipate the number to more than triple within the next 15 months.

Aurelio’s Cake Factory Bistro & Cafe's new location at 2907 Locust St. in Sterling opened Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, and now provides additional dine-in seating and new menu items, including sandwiches, soups, bagels, custom cream cheeses and new specialty coffee drinks.

A new beauty, cosmetic and personal care day spa is opening in Yorkville. My Dream Beauty Bar is relocating from Oswego to Yorkville.

Frank Thomas, who was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014, is coming to Goodfellas Cigar Lounge in Joliet. The event is ticketed.

Zip's Auto Body at 1033 S. Seventh St. in Rochelle closed the end of June after 41 years. Its owner, Richard "Zip" Zimmerman, retired after 55 years of auto shop work.

The City of Sterling has agreed to let the good times roll a little later downtown. After much debate, the Sterling City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, amending a section of the City Code to create an extended-hours permit for special events.

Lingering doubts about the economic promise of artificial intelligence technology are starting to get the attention of financial institutions that raised warning flags this week about an AI investment bubble

“What businesses crave about all else is certainty,” Doug Pryor, president and chief executive officer of the Will County Center for Economic Development, said Wednesday. “This scenario creates additional uncertainty and that creates operational challenges for businesses.”

ICE agents showed up at the parking lot of Azteca de Oro in Joliet on Saturday but left upon a request from the banquet hall manager.

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.

The Sterling City Council unanimously OK'd an ordinance Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, that will map a portion of the city as a River Edge Redevelopment Zone, an action that could provide up to $50 million in tax incentives for economic development along the city's riverfront.

Plans for a new Amoco gas station with a convenience store to set up shop in DeKalb’s Fourth Street corridor moved one step closer to reality Monday night.

Community Shoe Box, a DeKalb charity organization that aimed to provide free shoes to all with no questions asked, has closed for good, its lead organizer announced.

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.

People waited an hour for coffee at 7 Brew on West Jefferson Street. The company is building a second Joliet location.

The Joliet City Council this week will vote on a drive-thru permit Dunkin' shop on the corner of Briggs and Washington streets.

In November, Grateful Clay will reopen in downtown Ottawa at the site of the former Heartland by Hand, 231 W. Main St. 

Railroard tracks that run through Huntley are seen Sept. 3. Huntley residents have mixed reactions to the village declining to have a spot on a Chiccago-to-Rockford passenger train service.

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.

The City of Lockport has agreed to purchase the former Dellwood Tire property in order to redevelop it.

Opulent Glow Studio in Yorkville celebrated a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Yorkville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Prophetstown Proud invites all ghouls, goblins, witches, wizards and princesses to join them Oct. 24, 2025, for a night of safe trick-or-treating on Main Street.

The Geneva Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated the grand opening of Hammer and Nails, a men's barbershop.

Business owners and landlord’s in Joliet’s Special Service Area are invited to have coffee with Emmanuel Lopez, the new executive director for the Joliet City Center Partnership.

The District Salon Suites celebrated a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Yorkville Area Chamber of Commerce.