Government

Pride Month is celebrated each year in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. Kendall County Board member Brooke Shanley is disappointed the board has yet to adopt a resolution recognizing Pride Month.

Kendall County officials are looking at possible improvements to offices next to or part of the county’s John Street campus, including the public safety center.

John Arizzi, who currently serves as the Commander of the Investigations Department at the Lockport Police Department, will become the next chief of the department.

The Joliet City Council unanimously approved a settlement agreement on Friday to resolve litigation involving the city and two warehouse developers.

A nearly yearlong search for the next DeKalb County administrator concluded this week as the next government leader was named, hailing from a downstate small city.

DeKalb County Board member Savannah Ilenikhena plans to resign at the end of June, she announced this week.

Bourbonnais village clerk Brian Simeur stepped down after serving in that capacity for 30 years.

The village’s first gaming cafe received final approval of the Bourbonnais board of trustees during their meeting Monday.

Sandwich has decided to implement its own grocery tax in light of the state’s 1% grocery tax expiring on Jan. 1.

During Monday’s meeting, Bourbonnais trustees approved a 1% grocery tax.

The U.S. State Department said Wednesday it is restarting the suspended process for foreigners applying for student visas but all applicants will now be required to unlock their social media accounts for government review.

Ottawa continues to move forward with plans for a new wastewater treatment plant, a major infrastructure project aimed at addressing capacity concerns and supporting future growth.

A group of Republican lawmakers filed a lawsuit this week that seeks to nullify legislation they say would indelibly alter both the business and legal landscape of Illinois

Jayne Berhnard, a planner employed by the city of Joliet since 2017, has been promoted to the position of planning director.

The city of Joliet has not had an inspector general since Sean Connolly's contract was terminated in January 2024. The city manager announced Wednesday that Stephen DiNolfo has been hired for the job.

The Ottawa City Council moved ahead with annexing seven more properties in the Fields Hill subdivision on the north side of town and bringing in seven surrounded parcels on the south side during its meeting on Tuesday night.

Will Tier 2 pension changes be the defining political fight of 2025?

Free street parking slated to start Sept. 1 in downtown Joliet. Parking in decks and commuter lots still will cost downtown visitors.

Sterling Police Chief Alex Chavira bid a fond farewell Monday, June 16, 2025, to retiring Deputy Chief Jeff Mohr during Sterling's City Council meeting.

Dixon officials are looking to regulate the use of motorized bikes after city council members said Monday, June 16, 2025, they’ve received an uptick of calls from concerned residents.

Council members on Tuesday said they are looking for a new director of cultural affairs and special events who can create events on an almost daily basis in Joliet.

Future center for veteran services is being created in vacant office building that was part of the former Silver Cross Hospital campus in Joliet.

The city of Geneva proclaimed June 6 as National Gun Violence Awareness Day, meant to underline that 125 Americans die every day as a result of gun violence.

An open-house style meeting to review the Eastern Will County Freight Mobility Corridor Study will take place at Monee Elementary School.

Approximately 500 people lined two sidewalks around the historic Ogle County Courthouse for 2 hours on Saturday, June 14, 2025, carrying signs critical of Trump and his administration.

The Geneva City Council Monday approved an extension of its site plan approval for Venture One Acquisitions LLC, which proposes to build a 7150,200-square-foot industrial building on the city's east side.

Mendota Elementary wants to make it safer for parents to drop off their kids at Northbrook School. The Mendota City Council is all for it.

The City Council votes Tuesday on free 2-hour street parking in downtown Joliet.

Gov. JB Pritzker signed Illinois’ fiscal 2026 budget into law Monday, taking shots at President Donald Trump’s budget management to defend hard choices state lawmakers were forced to make this year

Lockport Township announced the winners of its Lockport Township Government College Scholarships and the first Lockport Township Military Family College Scholarship.

Several hundred community members lined downtown streets across from the Yorkville Town Square, urging passing vehicles to honk and cheer in solidarity during the No Kings Day protest in Yorkville on Saturday.

The village of Plainfield is looking for residents interested in serving on its police commission. Members are appointed and serve two-year terms.

The Sycamore City Council will consider annexing land near the corner of Coltonville Road and Electric Park Drive on Monday, potentially paving the way for a commercial developer. “It’s kind of an eyesore right now," city commissioner Dave Finney said of the land.

President Donald Trump on Sunday directed federal immigration officials to prioritize deportations from Democratic-run cities including Chicago after large protests have erupted in Los Angeles and other major cities against the Trump administration’s immigration policies

The TALK-LINE interview for June 13 featured Illinois 37th District State Senator Li Arellano of Dixon discussing the close of the most recent legislative session in Springfield and passage of the new state budget.

Several extensive public infrastructure projects are underway in the Sauk Valley region, and project managers are working diligently to keep them moving forward.

The sidewalk along the stretch where U.S. Route 6 and Illinois Route 47 merge in Morris was filled with people of all ages Saturday protesting against President Donald Trump, his administration.

Attendance appeared to fall far short of early predictions that as many as 200,000 people would attend the festival and parade

More than 400 protesters gathered in Dixon on Saturday, June 14, 2025, to denounce what they called the militarization of patriotism and the glorification of presidential power.

Several hundred people attended a No Kings Day protest along West Jefferson Street and Larkin Avenue in Joliet on Saturday, June 14, 2025. The event was part of thousands of similar protests held across the country that day.

Coffee with local state legislators will be held from 4-6 p.m. Monday at McWethy’s Tavern in Romeoville.

Transit agency officials met this week and formally began the process of planning for next year’s budget, including drawing up plans for major service cuts and potential layoffs

The Joliet City Council on Tuesday will consider a proposal that provides for free street parking up to two hours on downtown streets.

The father of a Rock Falls man murdered Feb. 14 wants the Rock Falls police chief to resign after officers testified last month that several protocol violations happened during the investigation.

State Sen. Rachel Ventura, D-Joliet, joins in condemnation of use of Illinois license plate reader to track woman seeking abortion services.

DeKalb 1st Ward Alderwoman Carolyn Zasada told the public this week that she’s missed five recent City Council meetings because she’s started a new job. She spoke with Shaw Local to explain.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday temporarily blocked a federal judge’s order that directed President Donald Trump to return control of National Guard troops to California after he deployed them there following protests in Los Angeles over immigration raids

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared to acknowledge that the Pentagon has developed plans to take over Greenland and Panama by force if necessary

Anti-Trump protests are planned in Joliet and Shorewood on Saturday on the same day as the military parade is planned in Washington D.C.

State Sen. Li Arellano Jr. and state Rep. Bradley Fritts addressed key areas of concern Tuesday, June 10, 2025, during a legislative update at Dixon’s Post House Ballroom.