To spur redevelopment of a vacant historic building that formerly housed the Chamber of Commerce and a dairy plant, the city of St. Charles is considering a $30,000 grant for developers to invite retail and offices to the space.

A Chicago developer made his pitch Wednesday to turn the former Magnuson Hotel near Dixon into apartments during a hearing in front of Lee County’s zoning officer but faced opposition from nearby residents.

The city of Yorkville approved the 540-acre Project Steel data center, with 16, two-story warehouses. The approval came after hours of residents urging the city to slow down approval for data centers.

Dixon, Freeport and Sterling also currently have Main Street programs.

A 306-unit rental apartment complex and an upscale senior living facility are proposed for one of the last open residential sites in St. Charles. City officials are urging the developers to include affordable housing options. The developers are pushing back.

A March 19 ribbon-cutting in Mt. Morris marked a new home for the architectural drafting and design firm County Line Design.

The city of Yorkville has two more large data center projects being proposed. Up for votes on Tuesday is the 540-acre Project Steel and the Meyer data center.

Kids scrambled across downtown Plano, collecting plastic eggs with treasurers from local businesses

Family, friends and members of the Mt. Morris Village Board and Economic Development Corp. filled the Main Event Barber Lounge on March 14 for an official ribboncutting ceremony.

About 50 showed up Saturday in Joliet for a two-hour protest against a proposed data center south of the city.

The City Council is slated to vote on the Joliet Technology Center on Monday.

The city of St. Charles could undergo a significant transportation and safety upgrade in a section of the downtown recently experiencing surging numbers of commuters and bicyclists.

Lee County is going to be home to one of the largest solar projects in the United States, with the first portion of construction set to begin in 2027.

Worried about certain businesses along the Route 64 corridor in St. Charles not matching the “community’s vision,” one alderperson proposed a moratorium on new car washes, gas stations, self storage facilities, drive-through fast food joints and banks.

Plan Commission voted 7-1 for project with few questions after more than four hours of public comment and sends it to the City Council for approval on March 16.

Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, famous for its Chicago-style deep dish pizza, signed a lease to occupy a former restaurant in Fox Haven Square, the city of St. Charles' newest entertainment district. The pizzeria looks to continue the city's resurgence of its eastern corridor.

Annual Membership Dinner celebrates the ‘accomplishments and energy’ of the business community

The Joliet Plan Commission votes Thursday on the plan for a 795-acre data center, and the City Council will follow on March 16. Residents continue to question the development.

While the menu includes everything from BBQ rib tips, chicken fajitas and crispy gyro melts, Baba's is known for its Philly-style steaks and lemonade.

The City Council will vote Tuesday on a liquor license for The Matise, a venue being created downtown in one of the city's oldest church buildings.

March will see three city of Rochelle construction projects in the downtown area ramp up, and two of the three will continue until the end of 2026, Interim City Manager and City Engineer Sam Tesreau said Feb. 25.

Joliet is developing its first comprehensive plan since the 1950s. Residents, business owners and community stakeholders are encouraged to participate.

The city of Yorkville welcomed a new hire to its development department in January, increasing the department to four full-time staffers.

Just what impact the U.S. Supreme Court decision on tariffs will have on local business is tough to tell, one local economic development leader said.

The ownership of the 44,000-square-foot former Big Lots! site in Bradley is seeking a new occupant.

Work on the Lawrence Brothers and National Manufacturing properties is continuing and includes work to clean up the properties and stabilize the structures.

Dixon has been awarded $2 million in federal funds for the creation of retention ponds to the west of Dixon’s major economic development near Interstate 88.

With the grand opening scheduled for spring, the $22 million Fox Haven Square development in St. Charles is quickly transforming from long-imagined to fully realized as a destination for dining and entertainment.

Customers, friends and Mt. Morris Village Board and Economic Development Corporation members filled the storefront at 103 S. Wesley Ave. in Mt. Morris on Saturday, Jan. 10, to celebrate the grand opening of The Board Room.

Books range from bestsellers, lesser known titles and books by independent authors, alongside "bookish gifts."

Throughout 2025, the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry brought its mission to life through a robust lineup of events, programs, and initiatives.

Students can participate in internships at local businesses such as Pace Bus, Silver Cross Hospital, the Joliet Public Library, YMCA, and more. The application deadline is Feb. 20, 2026.

Here's a look at our top stories for Will County in 2025

The Joliet Chapter bestows its Gold Star Award to people making impactful contributions in the community.

The Kankakee Regional Land Bank has filled its vacant board of directors seat.

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.

Oswego village trustees unanimously approved a financial incentive agreement of up to $1.5 million with the owners of the shopping center that would be paid over a maximum of 15 years.

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

A historic and longtime-vacant downtown Rochelle building will be seeing redevelopment over the next year.

The DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation will host its annual breakfast Dec. 2 for the community to learn more about regional economic trends. Event highlights include a chat with NIU, Kishwaukee and Waubonsee college presidents.

The village owns about 15 acres of land on the north side of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe tracks, west of Orchard Road. At the Nov. 18 Oswego Village Board meeting, village trustees approved a new contract with Creekside Farms, LLC.

The bakery will open inside the Walmart at 420 N. Weber Road in Romeoville.

Whether it will be built on a site under construction on U.S. Route 34 and Kendall Point Drive is not entirely clear. In February, village trustees unanimously approved plans for a 12,500-square-foot grocery store.

The "acting" tag on the promotion of Angela Morrey at president and CEO of the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County has been removed.

The Dixon City Council has approved a special use status for one of the new businesses the city plans to add to its growing commercial development site near Interstate 88.

Real estate investment and brokerage firm Wyn Group reports it closed on the building and property for about $7.9 million.

A Shell facility with a Dunkin’ and convenience store is now open, one year after it was initially planned.

The Illinois Housing Development Authority and Economic Growth Corporation on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, celebrated the grand opening of Shimer Square, marking a major milestone in the multi-phase redevelopment of the historic Shimer College campus.

Community Kauffee will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Oswego Public Library, 32 W. Jefferson St., downtown Oswego. Arrive a little early at 8:30 a.m. for coffee, pastries.

Just weeks ago, the Dixon Family YMCA faced the threat of closing both its facilities. But thanks to nearly $200,000 raised in emergency funding and swift action by community leaders, the YMCA has stabilized operations and is laying the groundwork for a long-term comeback.