While their classmates head to math or English, students at the Whiteside Area Career Center are taking part in mock trials and learning how to deescalate suspects – all as part of real-world law enforcement training.

New deputies Josh Whitley, Juventino Aguirre, Luke Lanehart and Anas Mirza were sworn in on Aug. 27 by Kendall County Undersheriff Bobby Richardson.

The seven-session academy will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday starting Sept. 9, 2025, in the Sterling Police Department’s training room, 212 Third Ave.

The Ogle County K9 Fund Bark and Whine Ball will take place Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, from 5-10 p.m. at the River’s Edge Experience at 103 S. 1st St. in Oregon. The event will include live music by The Vodka Boys, food catered by Ralfie’s BBQ, a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle.

Two years after Illinois became the first state in the nation to eliminate cash bail, the Trump administration is threatening to revoke federal funding from local and state governments that allow cashless bail.The Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice condemned the action.

Cody Fosdick, who was sworn in this week, had previously served in the United States Army for eight years and worked for the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office.

Chicago-based GWC Injury Lawyers filed the two-count lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court. In the first count – wrongful death – the suit seeks more than $50,000 in damages and in the second count – survival act – the suit also seeks more than $50,000.

Erik Wojdyla, 22, was last seen Saturday, July 26. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Will County Sheriff’s Office.

The mayor of Rock Falls says its police department is “running smooth” after the father of a Rock Falls murder victim called for the chief's resignation in June.

Vice President of Academics and Student Services Jon Mandrell said the number of students has been climbing for the past three years – from 1,507 two years ago, to 1,586 last year, and now 1,686 this fall.

The Will County Sheriff’s Office conducted a focused traffic safety campaign from July 8 to Aug. 1 to remind motorists that “Speeding Catches Up With You” and encourage safer driving habits.

Communities must take proactive steps to put an end to teen takeovers.

The Illinois State Police say funds will go to 21 departments to help with enforcement details to remove guns from those "who pose a danger to the public or themselves."

Sterling Police Chief Alex Chavira has announced he will retire next month, officially stepping down Friday, Sept. 19, 2025.

The seven-session academy will meet from 6-7:30 p.m. every Tuesday starting Sept. 9 in the Sterling Police Department’s training room, 212 Third Ave.

Join the Wheaton Police Department from 5 to 8 p.m. tonight at Northside Park, 1300 N. West St., for National Night Out, an annual event in which police departments across the nation connect with their communities for a night of fun for all ages.

The Forest Preserve District of Will County invites the community to come out to the Monee Reservoir for National Night Out festivities on Tuesday.

Several suburban towns will host National Night Out events on Tuesday to bring together the men and women in blue with the communities they serve.

The mystery surrounding the identity of a woman found dead in Will County in 1968 has been resolved, the Will County Coroner’s Office reported this week

The Kendall County Association of Chiefs of Police hosted the annual event, which recognizes exceptional law enforcement officers and civilian staff from agencies across the county for their service, bravery, and professionalism.

The Oswego Police Department joined forces with more than 200 other state and local law enforcement agencies in a high-visibility enforcement campaign over the Independence Day holiday.

The Sterling Police Department invites residents to join officers from 5-7 p.m, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Central Memorial Park (Grandon Civic Center) for an evening of free food, entertainment, vendors, games, giveaways and raffles.

The Illinois State Police welcomed 95 new troopers from Cadet Class 150 at a graduation ceremony in Springfield, its largest class in the past 25 years

Sterling Police Chief Alex Chavira made the official announcement during the July 7, 2025, Sterling City Council meeting, when Potthoff’s father, Ron Potthoff – a former Sterling police chief – had the honor of pinning his son.

Throughout July, drivers in Wheaton can expect to see increased police patrols looking for speeders and other traffic violations.

Montgomery police Sgt. Jeff Ricedorf was awarded the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award and is the first member of the Montgomery Police Department to achieve this distinguished honor,

CITGO’s Lemont Refinery donated funds to the Will County Sheriff’s Office that will go to support the department’s K-9 Unit.

Ayana Miller, a graduate of Ottawa High School, has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the Brian Sember Memorial Scholarship.

The Will County Sheriff’s Office issued 108 citations during the Memorial Day “Click It or Ticket” enforcement period.

The Forest Preserve District of Will County has come up with a unique way to remind visitors about the risk of car break-ins and how to prevent them this summer.

Ryan Bivins will officially assume his new role during his swearing-in ceremony on Monday, June 2, 2025. Bivins’ selection was announced Tuesday, May 27.

Will County police departments participated in the annual Torch Run fundraising program for Special Olympics Illinois.

Dax will receive a bullet- and stab-protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s.

A retired Joliet police sergeant must still contend with a federal lawsuit claiming he had no probable cause to arrest his colleague on a task force whom he accused of stealing a forklift.

Police from across Will County joined a ceremony on Thursday honoring the 38 law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty since 1865.

A ceremony was held in downtown Joliet for the 44th Annual Will County Law Enforcement Memorial Day at 14 W. Jefferson St. on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Police officers from various departments and local government and law enforcement officials participated.

In anticipation of Dixon Police Chief Steve Howell’s retirement, Dixon Deputy Chief Doug Lehman was sworn in as interim chief Monday, May 5. The new police chief will be selected in the first week of June by a committee of 10 community members.

Some 200 people gathered in prayer on the north lawn of the Kankakee County Courthouse last week to mark the national Day of Prayer.

Channahon Village Hall and the Channahon Police Department have been given the all clear after being evacuated Monday due to a suspicious package.

A 30-year-old man is in police custody and a house has been deemed uninhabitable after a domestic disturbance Saturday in Frankfort Township.

After testimony by Kankakee County State’s Attorney Jim Rowe and Harris’ defense attorney Cierra Norris on Thursday, Bradshaw-Elliott found Xandria Harris in direct criminal contempt of court.

Schools in Will and Kankakee counties react to series of bus vandalism incidents with increased security measures for their vehicle fleets, while law enforcement continues investigations.

Stefan Bjes, who has more than two decades of law enforcement experience, will start as security director for Plainfield schools on May 27.

Schools in Will and Kankakee counties react to series of bus vandalism incidents with increased security measures for their vehicle fleets, while law enforcement continues investigations.

Benito Delgado, 35, of Joliet, was arrested and charged for allegedly robbing the BMO bank in downtown Joliet on Monday.

School districts should conduct the most thorough background checks available when hiring new employees, columnist Tom Weitzel mantains

The Grundy County Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday that it has arrested a 17-year-old who had allegedly stolen a firearm in Peru after a pursuit that ended near Arby's on Route 6 in Morris.

Kane, a full-service K-9 who will be working alongside Deputy Jacob Wilging, joins the department to assist in a variety of law enforcement functions.

A Crest Hill man died from cocaine intoxication at a hospital in 2024 and the Joliet police officers who briefly handcuffed him for erratic behavior will face no charges over the incident. 

Dax, a purebred Belgian malinois, is the Lee County Sheriff’s Office’s newest K-9 officer. He went out on his first patrol Sunday, April 6, 2025, with his partner, Deputy Justin Hart of Amboy.