Kankakee County

Over 150 people attended the dedication ceremony for the new Gold Star Families Memorial Monument in Bourbonnais, completed by 17-year-old Alexis McCullough for her Eagle Scout project, was held on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Marcotte Park.

The Daily Journal celebrates educators on May 7th in print and May 8th online.

Former Manteno Mayor Tim Nugent reflects on his 20 years at the helm.

Bourbonnais Elementary students are back in class today after an incident involving the theft of catalytic converters from its buses caused school cancellation Thursday.

Measles vaccination rates among Illinois schoolchildren have continued a gradual decline for the fifth straight year, according to state data released this month, prompting renewed warnings from public health officials concerned about the risk of outbreaks.

Troy A. Sample, of Manteno, was arrested Wednesday by Manteno police following a week-long investigation into allegations involving the unlawful recording of a minor.

More than 170 volunteers responded to the United Ways "Day of Action" in assisting on 14 community projects in Kankakee and Iroquois Counties.

Concerns over rising food prices and food security have sparked a strong interest in home gardening. Community gardens sold out spaces early this year.

In this weekend’s “A Taylor-Made Life,” Taylor Leddin-McMaster reflects on words shared by Pope Francis several months prior to his death. 

UPDATE: Classes were canceled today for Bourbonnais Elementary District students following the theft of the catalytic converters from the buses.

Herscher earned a 21-0 victory over Grant Park on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, helping Tigers head coach Eric Regez reach his 800th career win.

Chris Gibson has been selected as the next superintendent of Central CUSD 4. He will take over for the outgoing superintendent, Matt Maxwell, on July 1.

Check out these 5 things to do in Kankakee County this weekend.

A 23-year-old man is listed in critical condition in a Chicagoland hospital and his alleged attacker is in custody following an incident early Tuesday morning in Bradley.

A small kitchen fire caused $10,000 in damage to a second-floor apartment in the 300 North Dearborn Avenue.

The Daily Journal “Salute to Service” special section will publish Wednesday, May 21.

A former investigator for the Will County Public Defender’s Office was sentenced to serve 85% of an eight-year prison sentence for driving under the influence of drugs in a 2022 crash that killed a psychologist.

Central claimed a 9-2 win over Gardner-South Wilmington to keep a perfect River Valley Conference record (7-0) on Tuesday, April 22.

Due to a threatening message directed at Tri-Point schools, classes were cancelled today at the district’s three schools.

Over 250 people gathered with signs and their voices Saturday to participate in a Hands Off Rally at the Kankakee County Courthouse as part of a 50501 Movement “day of action” to protest the policies and actions of the second Donald Trump administration.

Catholic church leaders in Joliet and Rockford dioceses react to the passing of Pope Francis, who died early Monday morning.

UPDATE: Kankakee Police Chief Chris Kidwell said officers responded at approximately 1:07 a.m. to the crash that occurred in the 900 block of South Cobb Boulevard.

Bradley Elementary schools have seen some attendance improvements after ramping up efforts to combat chronic absenteeism this school year.

The Kankakee Area YMCA has hired a new executive director. David Parker, a lifelong Portland-area resident and University of Oregon graduate, will be departing the Pacific Northwest region and will soon call the nation’s Midwest home.

Discount Planet, which only recently opened at 206 N. Kinzie Ave. and 265 N. Industrial Dr., both in Bradley, will soon be the occupant at the former Big Lots, 185 S. Kennedy Drive.

A tornado watch is in effect for Bureau, Putnam, Marshall, Woodford and Whiteside counties until 11 p.m. Sunday; and La Salle, Grundy, Lee, Livingston, Kankakee, Ford and Iroquois counties until 4 a.m. Monday.

Bourbonnais Mayor Paul Schore takes a look back on serving the people of Bourbonnais for 28 years.

Voters in Kankakee County this election determined who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townshi

Scattered thunderstorms forecasted for Friday evening could bring large hail, damaging winds and perhaps a tornado, the National Weather Service warned.

Hundreds of participants took to the trails of Perry Farm Park to collect 12,000 prize-filled eggs during the annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday morning. A few more chances to fill a basket remain.

Herscher School District is one of only nine school districts in the entire state of Illinois to currently hold a certification from Great Place To Work.

The Illinois State Police and the Illinois Department of Transportation are warning drivers to “Slow Down or Get Pulled Over.”

The final votes for the 2025 Municipal General Election were counted Tuesday.

In this week's "A Taylor-Made Life," Taylor Leddin-McMaster talks about local ways to get involved in Earth Day clean-up and beautification activities.

Check out these 5 things to do in and near Kankakee County this weekend.

New vote totals on Tuesday show a Joliet candidate has become the third-highest vote getter for one of three seats on the Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees. 

Herscher's Gianni Jaime scored a hat trick to lift the Tigers to a 3-2 win over Bradley-Bourbonnais on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

A Momence dog named Sheba who was adopted from the Iroquois County Animal Rescue has been featured on the cover of FIDO Friendly Magazine.

Wilmington claimed a 3-0 victory over Herscher on Monday, April 14, 2025.

Area youth are invited on April 29 to participate in the Walk Against Violence, which runs from 5:30-8 p.m. and will begin at King Middle School, 1440 E. Court St. in Kankakee.

Kankakee County is set to finally launch the long-awaited dredging of the Kankakee River at the Aroma Park boat ramp at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Potawatomi Park at 307 W. Front St.

As a follow-up to the Kankakee Valley Park District Board meeting of March 24, I would like to clarify some points from the much-appreciated article written by Jeff Bonty which appeared in the Daily Journal on March 27, 2025.

As a result of a mid-February fire which heavily damaged its Momence production site, Gilster-Mary Lee Corp. has announced it will not rebuilt and is leaving the area.

Kankakee residential and business properties sewer rates will increase 2%, while the industrial rates will rise 7% beginning May 1, the start of the new budget year.

The 2024 crime rate for each Kankakee, Bourbonnais and Bradley police departments showed each trending down.

Competing against students from top Chicagoland schools, all three Kankakee County CEO participants were named winners, each earning a $1,000 award.

Bradley-Bourbonnais clinched a 5-0 victory over Lockport on Thursday, April 10. Purchase photos here: https://heraldnews.smugmug.com/April-2025/Softball-Bradley-Bourbonnais-vs-Lockport

Bandit is the Pet of the Week.

A Will County Sheriff’s Office correctional deputy now faces a charge of possessing a video of child sex abuse material in addition to charges of predatory sexual assault of a child and criminal sexual assault.

A teen detainee of the River Valley Juvenile Detention Center in Joliet has been charged with the 2024 attempted murder of a detainee who suffered traumatic brain injury in an attack, prosecutors said.