Column: The DeKalb Chamber Foundation has a new program for residents to learn about running for office. The goal is to provide a realistic and encouraging look at public service, equipping residents with the knowledge and confidence to step up as local leaders, writes Matt Duffy

A lawsuit filed by House and Senate Republicans was recently tossed out by Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Jack Davis, II. The suit sought to strike down a new law backed by trial lawyers (Senate Bill 328). The Republicans say they will appeal.

It takes an awful lot of screen taps to get to that information from your average Instagram story slide, and that’s only if there’s a link in the first place.

OBENDORF: We seem to have an early fall and the migration of the birds has begun.

The threats of the Trump administration to send National Guard troops into Chicago have drawn sharp rebukes from Gov. JB Pritzker. In an earlier era, troops were shipped to Chicago to restore order after the epic Chicago Fire, and the governor from Illinois was never consulted.

Column: Ah, September. As the crisp air rolls in and the leaves begin to turn, there’s a collective sense of new beginnings, writes Johanna Patterson of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce.

"Illinois has taken a major step to protect individuals and families from the financial shock that too often follows a medical emergency," writes Kim Godden of the Illinois State Ambulance Association

Lovina's family celebrated her youngest child's 20th birthday with an outdoor supper of broasted chicken and french fries.

In this week's column, Dennis Marek, a member of the Central High Class of 1960, recounts his 65th class reunion.

Farming accounts for $1 in every $7 in the Alexander County economy. The school district enrolls about 300, fewer than the middle school I can see from my front porch.

Column: Meditation can be quite a strenuous workout. Most people don’t realize they can control their personal mind chatter, writes Joan Budilovsky.

Nerheim’s quote is directed at lawyers and detectives. Fair, given his background, but the lesson applies to everyone: presented reality is not always the truth.

In this weekend’s “A Taylor-Made Life,” Taylor Leddin-McMaster recounts a recent visit to Oak Park with her coworkers turned friends.

Marc Silverman: This will be my 31st season covering the Bears as a reporter, talk show host, or columnist after growing up a diehard fan. I’d like to think I’ve seen it all and have refined the way I predict a season

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

In this week's column, Toby Moore writes about working to avoid the creation of deep groves in our "anger pathway" of our brain.

Whether the subject is data centers or just about anything else outside of personal privacy concerns, NDAs where one party is funded by tax dollars seem to run directly counter to the ideal of government transparency.

Dr. Linda Hellmich: Fritts "could have used this moment to bridge differences and mediate a common ground. Unfortunately, his one-sided words and actions attacked a vibrant community organization’s credibility and viability."

The founders of our republic made a fateful decision on July 16, 1787, when they decided that the Senate would represent the states, instead of the people.

The breadth of invited attendees at the event organized last week by Gov. JB Pritzker really stood out.

A more valuable solution would be a nationwide approach to dictating Congressional district boundaries, as it has become untenable for so many states to operate under different conditions.

Column: Deborah grew up with a small cherry orchard in her backyard in Lombard. Her job was to pick and pit the cherries and then her mom made the best cherry pies, writes Janet Lagerloef.

Local media serves as a community’s connective tissue, especially in small towns like Rochelle, where residents look to trusted neighborhood outlets for timely, relevant information.

A recent Senate subject-matter hearing on energy made one thing crystal clear: Illinois families and job creators are paying the price for shortsighted, politically driven policies.

We gathered at daughter Loretta and Dustin’s house by 2 a.m. to start grilling a thousand pounds of leg quarters

In this week's column, Dennis Marek writes about a stop near Peotone once purported to be a hideout for infamous gangster, Al Capone.

Opinion from Scott Holland: Hopefully I look back at those paragraphs in a year – or a month! – and see only unfounded hyperbole

From Shaw Media CEO John Rung: We look forward to working with readers, advertisers, and community leaders in Rochelle, Ogle County, and Mendota. We plan to be here for the long haul - as stewards of these publications and partners in your communities

The Good Place. Within a day’s drive of Ogle County, you can visit five different examples of utopian communities, all established between 1839 and 1857.

Adopting a conciliatory tone is proper, but the way this story is developing provides little comfort to people who saw the red flags waving far ahead of the current situation.

In this weekend’s “A Taylor-Made Life,” Taylor Leddin-McMaster talks about a photoshoot fundraiser taking place at the D. Harley Bradley House this Saturday.

Marc Silverman: I hope I’m wrong and the edge rushers produce. I hope the Bears win big in 2025 and a championship window opens. Too bad hope is not a plan.

Column: We’re wrapping up an eventful summer in DeKalb County and heading into the fall season with even more to experience, writes Alexis Aviles of the DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Opinion from Scott Holland: Bail is for the accused, not the convicted, but “presumed innocent” as a legal concept is rarely relevant in the court of public opinion

Our Congressman, Darin LaHood, of the 16th Congressional District, recently sent out a newsletter where the “Big Beautiful Bill” was described as the “most pro family piece of legislation in history.” And he was glad to support it.

Meier: Never scan a QR code unless you know and trust its origin.

Opinion from Rich Miller: What the Chicago Teachers Union really wants is an immense expansion of the state tax base

Put another way: when everyone agrees there’s a loophole, why isn’t anyone tightening that string?

Column: Sometimes you meet people who are such an inspiration that it takes your breath away. That’s what it’s like when you meet Ken and Terri Mate, writes Kristen Zambo of the Batavia Public Library.

Illinois has had four constitutions in its history – 1818, 1848, 1870, and 1970

Column: The City of Batavia is once again offering residents the chance to purchase a parkway tree as part of its annual reforestation program, writes Lori Botterman.

I spent Thursday night to Saturday night at the hospital with my daughter, Lovina, and Daniel. I am excited to announce the birth of their first child, born Aug. 16 at 2:03 p.m.

In this week's column, Dennis Marek wonders if rural mail delivery may soon become another victim of modern society.

Political posturing invites holding a mirror to partisan talking points.

In this week’s “A Taylor-Made Life,” Taylor Leddin-McMaster talks about her lifelong rocky relationship with sleep.

The Bears gave their fans exactly what they were craving in their preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, the first taste of the Ben Johnson era, Marc Silverman writes.

'The House is supposed to be the People’s House, and should represent all people equally across the whole country. House district sizes should be set by the population of the least populated state, so each state gets at least one representative'

Fifty years ago, parts of western Illinois could have become their own state – though whether the move was fact or fantasy is somewhat unclear.

Daniel Ray and I live in part of my parents’ pole barn. We like our little part, and it is nice to be so close to Mom.

In this week's column, Dennis Marek recalls the events of World War II and the dropping of the atomic bomb.