Column

Marc Silverman reflects on the Bears' quarterback history and the need for change this time around with Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams working together

Opinion: Rural communities are an essential part of DeKalb County’s economic strength and cultural identity, writes Melissa Amedeo of the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation.

Have you ever had a season where it felt like everything was turning against you – at work, at home, even in your head? One minute, you’re moving toward a goal; the next, you spin your wheels in frustration.

The current party line is no pursuit of state funding for stadium construction, but even if the Bears don’t directly request money to deal with infrastructure, a development at the proposed scale would force the hands of many government entities.

In this weekend’s “A Taylor-Made Life,” Taylor Leddin-McMaster writes about how journaling for fun is cathartic. 

Needless to say, replacing an appropriations committee chair with barely two weeks to go in the spring session and tough budget votes ahead is not exactly commonplace. I’ve never seen such a thing in 35 years of doing this.

It’d take the rest of the month to tell superintendents’ stories: falling ceilings, boilers repurposed from World War II ships, infested walls from schools built when Al Capone was still an elementary student in Brooklyn.

The haunting pictures of the deadly riot at Kent State University in 1970 are among the most famous news photographs in American history.

I am sharing a diary of a day of my activities from start to finish. Time goes by so quickly, and there is always something that needs my attention or needs to be done.

Most baseball fans don’t care how someone earns HOF induction. Many taxpayers aren’t attuned to the intricacies of which government gets their money.

Weeklong camps take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, with campers primarily meeting at Hickory Knolls Discovery Center for drop-off and pickup.

House Bill 1085 attempts to tackle some of those challenges by amending the Illinois Insurance Code to impose new obligations on private policies subject to state regulation.

The schedule is set. The Bears have had a great offseason. But it doesn’t mean they’re not making a mistake at left tackle, Marc Silverman writes

A sheet pan supper is a meal that requires minimal prep time and is basically hands off once the pan is in the oven, so you can do other things until dinner is ready.

In this weekend’s “A Taylor-Made Life,” Taylor Leddin-McMaster bids farewell to her boss-turned-friend. 

Article IV, Section 8, of the Illinois Constitution stipulates: 'A bill shall be read by title on three different days in each house. A bill and each amendment thereto shall be reproduced and placed on the desk of each member before final passage.'

Mother’s Day has come and gone, but that doesn’t mean we can’t pause to honor the women who carried us, raised us, believed in us when no one else would, and loved us in ways we’ll never fully understand.

Every parking fee proposal incites negative feedback. While the DNR isn’t the worst-run state agency, it would unquestionably be in better shape with additional revenue.

A top legislative budget negotiator last week said rank-and-file legislators will very soon have to come to terms with a state budget environment unlike anything many have ever seen before.

Some of the greatest Western artists in American history were not born in the West. One example is Frank Reaugh, an Illinois native whose paintings are found in collections across Texas today.

Thanks to all the readers who came to meet me and support me. I hope you enjoy your cookbooks. Sometimes I feel like giving up writing this column each week. Then I talk to you, wonderful readers, and all the encouragement you give me.

Lorraine Sauber made breakfast, lunch, and dinner, for her 15 children, from scratch, every day. Here is here apple dumpling recipe.

'The increase is likely due to a surge in final tax payments stemming from higher capital gains and interest earnings as a result of strong market conditions and investment returns during tax year 2024.'

Record stories that captured people's attention in years passed.

YMCA Executive Director Andy McFarlane: "The rising costs of running our programs – from staffing to supplies to utilities – are outpacing our ability to cover them."

Whether it’s a country-and-western band with its own Nashville sound or an out-a-site party band playing the grittiest, grooviest garage rock hits, there is something for every musical taste.

Year over year it becomes clearer that those who thrive in the classroom do so because of passion.

In this weekend’s “A Taylor-Made Life,” Taylor Leddin-McMaster shares some local gift ideas for Mother's Day.

Pete Crow-Armstrong learned from his rookie season to enter into MVP talks. Can Caleb Williams do the same, Marc Silverman wonders

Justice DeArmond: 'The FOID Act presumes no one has the right to keep and bear arms, unless and until the right holder proves otherwise. This is the definition of unconstitutional.'

Moore writes about how the lifetime efforts of a teacher didn't go unnoticed.

For such a prominent politician, former Gov. George Ryan’s personal biography is clearly of another time.

If Pritzker’s governance does start slipping because he’s running for higher office, I pledge to let my opinion be known. I will not stand for it. This state is far too important.

Verena and Daniel will be married in Dustin and Loretta’s pole barn and the reception will be held here.

May 7 marks the 110th anniversary of the loss of the Lusitania, which helped steer the United States into World War I against Germany. There were some area connections to the tragedy. 

Many professions study and acknowledge the effects of color for their clientele, including interior designers, makeup artists, clothing designers, chefs, landscapers and more.

Former state Sen. Kirk Dillard has been RTA chairman since 2014. To whatever extent local choices contributed to the current crisis, he can shoulder responsibility.

Opinion: The return of the Farmers Market is a big win for our community, bringing fresh, local goods back to Sycamore and offering a perfect way to spend a summer evening, writes Shelby Crackel of the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce.

Implying a measured decrease in students is sufficient to reveal a failing elementary or high school district ignores other factors that might be at play.

The offseason ends at Halas Hall: Prove-it season begins for Bears players, Marc Silverman writes

As some question America’s standing as a nation of immigrants and our intentions and ability to fulfill our responsibilities under international law respecting people fleeing persecution, it is important to recall the concept of E Pluribus Unum, the association says.

We’re still left with a scenario where lawmakers built something without knowing if it could be staffed and supported.

Opinion: Get ready for an incredible experience at Kishwaukee United Way’s annual Day of Caring on June 12, writes Michele Vaughn of Kishwaukee United Way.

In this weekend’s “A Taylor-Made Life,” Taylor Leddin-McMaster recounts a recent trip to Boston and Salem, including a bucket-list stop at Cheers. 

You are not just walking through life – you are shaping it from the inside out. Every thought, every emotion, every word is a pulse sent into the world, bending and shaping your path.

Opinion: Do you ever wonder where your trash goes after you bag it up and leave it at the curb? LRS, our local trash handler, promises us that its process is entirely sustainable, writes Julie Jesmer.

Those unfamiliar with an affected family likely give little regular thought to how much these challenges dominate every aspect of daily life.

During his short life, Casey Jones grew from a dedicated rail employee into a larger-than-life persona whose shadow is still cast on American folklore. 

I hope your Easter was blessed! May God bless you every day!

I regularly encourage readers to become informed voters and the media should play a role so voters don’t have to track down individual candidates at home just to get a question answered.