St. Charles-based IT company, N2 Solutions, is expanding after the company’s acquisition of Current Technologies, an IT services provider based in Illinois and Florida.

Extra Space Storage off Virginia Road in Crystal Lake is looking to expand its existing facility with three more climate-controlled buildings.

While Brian and Teresa Faber visited a candy store in Galena, they browsed the chocolates and other sweets, but also noticed the atmosphere of the store.

Wendy’s plans to reward the first 50 customers on Friday when it opens its new location at 16556 W. 159th St., Lockport.

A downtown Sycamore bar that opened and then closed temporarily in 2025 has since reopened, ready to welcome patrons back in with a few changes.

A popular taco spot in Sycamore that was forced to close after a fire in 2025 has found a new home in the new year.

The APL Logistics warehouses are located at 1460 Cargo Court and 6225 E. Minooka Road.

A taste of southeast Asia is coming to Batavia, including Vietnamese coffee and freshly made mochi-style waffles. Bambu opened its doors on Jan. 14.

Poopy’s, billed as “the largest biker bar in Illinois,” is for sale.  The biker bar, restaurant and event venue in Savanna made the announcement Tuesday, Jan. 13, via its Facebook page. 

A warehouse for S&S Activewear in Bolingbrook will permanently lay off its employees due to the warehouse closing.

Highlighted by Mayor Jeff Schielke as one of Batavia’s top future developments in the “State of the Community” address, Ignite Medical Resort Batavia has officially opened its doors.

McHenry's GameStop among several closed across the state in recent days

In the past, Brown’s Chicken had Joliet locations on Jefferson Street and South Larkin Avenue.

It will soon be game over for a popular retailer in the Northland Plaza shopping center in DeKalb.

Babs Brew is breaking ground on a new building at its Peru location on 4th Street.

A new convenience store is preparing to open in a former gas station that was previously abandoned on DeKalb’s north side.

The Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry will host its 2026 Annual Awards Dinner & Celebration of 2025 Success on Feb. 24.

In January 2025, The Curator’s Cafe moved to American Legion Post 1080 in Joliet, reopening in the American Legion kitchens.

After 10 years of business, Kunes RV in Sterling is closed.

The 2,842 square foot one-story drive-thru restaurant a .72 acre parcel on Larkin Avenue is for sale and is “in move-in-ready condition,” according to LoopNet.

Dollar General has announced its store at 2603 Locust St. in Sterling is now open. To celebrate, the company plans to host a grand opening event at 8 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10.

Trump and Truth Store owner Lisa Fleischmann hopes to reopen her store in a few weeks in Crystal Lake.

Mother and son duo Carrie and Declan Sebold took over the KidStrong Batavia fitness center because they know when it comes to kids confidently flexing, it’s about so much more than muscles.

Compass Tax Advisors offer a wide range of tax preparation and financial services for individuals, families and small businesses.

Whiskey Acres Distilling Co., where the corn is grown, harvested and distilled on-site, once again earned top honors at the Heartland Whiskey Competition as Best-in-State for Illinois.

The former Snyder’s pharmacy in Dixon, now a convenience store, will close by Jan. 31 after being sold to CGH Medical Center.

Brave Arts Creative Studio, at 115 S. Hennepin Ave. in Dixon, is open Monday through Friday at various times for kids to get creative at open studio or learn about art in a more structured setting and for art parties designed for families and adults.

Maze Lumber has announced a leadership change as it enters its 178th year of operations, the company said in a news release.

Richmond added an outdoor ice rink to McConnell Park, a first for the small community, using tax revenue from the local cannabis dispensary.

After years of delays, a developer is expected to present his final plan to turn the long-vacant former St. Mary’s Hospital on Fisk Avenue in DeKalb into an apartment building.

A Rock Falls father and daughter have teamed up to bring back local favorite Arnie’s Happy Spot and its original chicken recipe. Owners Dave and Maddie Cochran held a soft opening for the restaurant at 1667 Hoover Road in Deer Grove, now called The Happy Spot, on Dec. 11.

A split vote by the Village Board resulted in Elburn’s decision not to hire an economic development coordinator during this fiscal year.

Kids Garage McHenry, which has opened just outside the city, gives kids a place to play, explore and burn energy.

The Three Rivers Association of Realtors recently announced its Top 100 Realtors in a video pinned to the top of its Facebook page.

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

Mr. Auto Care is a full-service automotive repair shop with a mission beyond fixing vehicles.

A developer wants to install an industrial and commercial business park with travel center, a gas station and convenience store along Peace Road in DeKalb. The plan is being called the DeKalb Commerce Center, documents show.

The Treehouses at Starved Rock is a 26-acre retreat carved into Starved Rock’s border. There are two treehouses available for short stays and two more under construction, with availability beginning in February.

After closing in 2024, Sam and Serena Witz reestablished the Serena Cafe on Wednesday, March 5.

“It’s very exciting to have more retail invest in the city of Peru,” Mayor Ken Kolowski said when the store opened. “Our goal is to continue to create more retail and more jobs for our community.”

Column: The DeKalb Citizens’ Environmental Commission will launch a Green Business Recognition Program in early 2026 to encourage and celebrate businesses that take meaningful steps toward sustainability, writes Linda Srygler and Shaun Langley.

The Illinois Valley welcomed a few new coffee businesses this year.

Cajun Connection closed in 2023, but the loss of the nearly 30-year-old restaurant was softened with plans for a food truck.

If there’s one thing the Illinois Valley does well, it’s pizza, and in 2025, Peru lost two of its favorites.

Downtown La Salle welcomed new businesses in 2025 thanks to a renovation project.

In February, Jo-Ann Fabrics announced plans to close 500 of its 850 craft and fabric stores, which included the Peru location.

The open-air shopping venue with portable retail stalls is modeled after Batavia and Muskegon, Michigan.

Amazon opened a last-mile delivery facility in Ottawa in September, bringing in jobs while speeding up deliveries across the Illinois Valley.

Will County welcomed a lot of new businesses in 2025 – and saw a few long-time ones close their doors. The restaurant and coffee scene is bustling.

Planned Parenthood of Illinois closed four health centers in March, including its Ottawa location.