John Clauson was adopted and never knew about his biological family. But after searching for years, he learned the identity of his birth father - and would reconnect with the eight children his father later had.

Jeeps on the Run delivered an estimated $130,000 in toys and $60,000 in cash for the US Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots programs in Lake and McHenry counties – despite an overnight snowstorm the day of the event.

This Christmas morning, hundreds of children in Lake County will wake up to toys under their trees thanks to the generosity of a Facebook community that turns local residents into Secret Santas.

The Lake County Board adopted a resolution authorizing the dissolution of the Avon-Fremont Drainage District.

Sheriff John D. Idleburg is pleased to announce the Lake County Jail passed its most recent inspection and audit conducted by the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Your holiday tree can help the forest preserves thrive. Residents can give their real holiday trees a second life by recycling them at select preserves this winter.

The GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment is pleased to announce that it has made a $10,000 donation to the Lake County Community Foundation’s Community Crisis Relief Fund.

Marriott Theatre’s special event for New Year’s Eve will be “New Year’s Rockabilly Eve, featuring the cast of ‘Million Dollar Quartet Christmas.’”

The Jeeps on the Run crowd delivered once again this year, with an estimated $130,000 worth of toys and $60,000 in cash collected for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots programs in Lake and McHenry counties.

Three congressional candidates vying to serve different parts of the Northwest or West suburbs will find out early next month if they’ll appear on March 2026 primary ballots or be booted.

A Berwyn man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for participating in a burglary ring that targeted video gambling businesses in the suburbs and downstate.

An 86-year-old resident was identified as the victim in a fatal fire Friday near Spring Grove.

A national publication, Food Bank News, named Northern Illinois Food Bank CEO Julie Yurko was named 2025 Food Bank Leader of the Year.

One woman was killed and another was critically injured in a fire Friday in the Lotus Woods area near Spring Grove and Fox Lake.

The Lomeli family has operated Lomeli’s International Supermarket in Round Lake for 26 years. Now they're opening Lomeli's Fresh Market at the former home of Island Foods in Island Lake.

Ashley Vilona, emergency department manager at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, has been recognized as the 2025 Nurse Leader of the Year for Advocate Health’s Illinois Division.

The Lake County Clerk’s Office is delighted to announce the exceptional talents showcased in the recently concluded “I Voted” sticker design contest.

As part of its Season of Purpose during which its teammates are engaging in community service activities, Advocate Health planted 75 trees at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington.

Between Oct. 23 and 27, Lake County Sheriff’s Office K9 teams participated in the United States Police Canine Association Region 19 (USPCA Region 19) Police Dog I Regional Trials held in Sterling Heights, Michigan.

The Lake County Division of Transportation has reopened the intersection of Winchester Road and IL Rout 83 following months of construction on a safety-focused improvement project.

Dec. 17 was the first day to submit your application for a Vote by Mail ballot for the March 17, 2026, General Primary Election, according to the Lake County Clerk’s Office.

A Wisconsin man who bought the rifle Kyle Rittenhouse used when he was accused of shooting three people during protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 2020 has been charged in an armed robbery in Harvard.

Democratic candidate Kat Abughazaleh on Thursday scored another first in the crowded race to succeed U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky in the largely suburban 9th District by releasing a cable TV ad.

A group of Logical Position employees recently delivered a $4,000 check to the Northern Illinois Food Bank. This contribution will help provide roughly 133 meals and support more than 1,000 people across Lake County.

The staff at the Fort Sheridan National Cemetery announced those laid to rest at the Fort Sheridan National Cemetery in November.

From Nov. 21 through Dec. 2, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office participated in the statewide “Click It or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” mobilization to reduce crashes and save lives.

On Nov. 12, Petwrk, the social app designed to connect pets and their humans, launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund its next major feature: pet matching and playdates.

An Elmhurst man has been accused of beating and stabbing to death a woman he lured to his home

A high-profile contender for the congressional post now held by U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky has survived a legal challenge to her candidacy.

The Lake County Health Department is seeking passionate people to become Mental Health First Aid USA instructors and help fight the stigma surrounding mental health.

The Job Center of Lake County will have a table at the Internship & Career Expo from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 11 at the University Center of Lake County.

A Republican candidate running to succeed longtime U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky in the largely suburban 9th District was convicted of a sex crime against a juvenile decades ago, records show.

In recognition of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce’s 110th anniversary, Gov. JB Pritzker has officially designated Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, as Lake County Chamber of Commerce Day.

The Health Department will host its annual World AIDS Day Event from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Greenbelt Cultural Center, 1215 N Green Bay Road, North Chicago.

The Lake County Retired Teachers Association will meet at noon Dec. 9 at Lambs Farm Magnolia Cafe and Bakery in Libertyville, located at the junction of Route 176 and Interstate 94.

A woman who initially claimed an intruder shot her and her husband on their property in near Wonder Lake admitted Tuesday that she fired on her husband and was sentenced to 22 years in prison.

The McHenry Outdoor Theater and Star 105.5 are joining forces to help the new Kids in Need Secret Santa program meet demand this holiday season.

A storm with accumulating snow blanketing Northern Illinois started early Saturday morning and is expected to continue through the evening with peak snowfalls in the late afternoon.

The Lake County Board has approved a $676.6 million budget for its fiscal year 2026.

While the National Weather Service stressed that exact snowfall totals and the precise track of the storm remain uncertain, confidence is growing that much of the region will experience accumulating snow during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year

A man who was crushed by a vehicle in Wauconda Tuesday morning has been identified by the Lake County Coroner’s Office.

“Multiple” cyber tips led to the arrest of a Wauconda man on charges of possession of material depicting child sexual abuse, police said.

Northern Illinois is forecast to get hit with turbulent winds Wednesday followed by accumulating snowfall this weekend that could affect Thanksgiving travel.

A man was killed after getting crushed by a vehicle in what police said was a workplace incident Tuesday in Wauconda.

Adults with autism from northern Illinois talk about their lives and their reactions to lates controversial policy changes and language by the administration of President Trump.

State Rep. Laura Faver Dias, D-Grayslake, is working with state Sen. Mary Edly-Allen, D-Grayslake, to host a community toy drive intended to bring joy to children who may have been overlooked, particularly over the past year.

This Thanksgiving, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office is joining the Illinois State Police and local partners to keep holiday travel safe.

Lake County Journal cartoonist Tom Beck recently swept the Best Use of Humor category at the 2025 Northern Illinois Newspaper Association Awards.

Beginning Nov. 2, two Lake County forest preserves opened illuminated routes so visitors can keep connecting with nature after dark.

The staff at the Fort Sheridan National Cemetery announced those laid to rest at the Fort Sheridan National Cemetery in October 2025.