Kishwaukee College will host a Discover Kish event for new students and their families to learn about and explore the college. The Jan. 7 event includes a resource fair.

From elections and major developments to big hires and more, here’s some DeKalb County news we’re keeping an eye on in 2026:

The following seven area students were named to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's dean’s list for the 2025 fall semester.

The Henry C. Adams Memorial Library, 209 W. Third St., Prophetstown, held a Christmas Coloring Contest that started Nov. 26 and the winner was announced Dec. 29.

Campbell Brock, a mechanical engineering major from Port Byron, was one of several members of the Space Raiders, Milwaukee School of Engineering's Lunabotics student organization, who were recently featured on a low-orbit space satellite.

A fire that started in a water heater closet inside an apartment building in DeKalb late Thursday initially displaced seven residents, authorities said. As of Friday afternoon, only one resident from one unit remains displaced, said Acting Fire Chief Luke Howieson.

Here’s what’s happening at Somonauk Public Library in January:

AARP’s Tax–Aide will offer a free tax return preparation program for 2026 for area residents ages 50 and older. The program will be available at five locations in DeKalb, La Salle, Genoa, and Sycamore.

The first-time parents of the first baby to be born in DeKalb County in 2026 drove their child home to Hinckley on Friday.

DuPage County forest preserve officials have adopted a $151 million budget that calls for new or continuing habitat restoration projects, improvements to one of the district’s historic properties and a golf course revamp.

A group of Downers Grove Township residents want to create a township 708 Mental Health Board and are working toward putting a referendum question on the November ballot

The Cooperative Association for Special Education (CASE) has named Kristen Ninni as its new executive director

The Glen Ellyn Park District will host two community donation drives in January at Ackerman SFC to support local food pantry and blood donation needs

Record stories that captured people's attention in years passed.

Woodlawn Arts Academy students will be showing off their theater and music skills this winter, with performances of “Mary Poppins Jr.” and winter music recitals both set for January.

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.

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.

Riverdale Middle School in Port Byron is announcing the students making first-quarter straight A, honor roll and perfect attendance lists.

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.

Start the New Year off with a winter hike in one of DeKalb County's forest preserves.

Applications are available for KVAL’s 55th annual Northern Illinois Art Show

Here are some of the top images we captured from news and events that happened across Kendall County in 2025

DeKalb police are asking for the public’s help in an investigation of a reported burglary in the Summit Enclave subdivision on Christmas Day.

Join the Tri-County Opportunities Council in partnership with the Northland Mall for the second annual Frosty Fun-Day Family Fun Fair on Saturday, Feb. 21, at Northland Mall in Sterling.

Come join the Amboy community for a delicious bowl of chili and great fellowship from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, as the Lee Center Church and Amboy Lions play host to the Chili Luncheon & Basket Raffle at the Amboy Community Building, 280 W. Wasson Road.

Now days, we take it for granted that the United States flag belongs in front of our schools, post offices, and other public structures—not to mention in front of so many private homes.

2025 Year in Review: From data centers to local protests, major trials and more, here are some top news stories that made headlines in DeKalb County this year

Lydea King participated in the 151st Christmas Festival at Carthage College in the magnificent A. F. Siebert Chapel in Kenosha, Wisconsin. King, from Rock Falls, is a member of wind orchestra and philharmonic orchestra.

Police departments faced many challenges in 2025 and policing will be even more demanding in the coming year, Tom Weitzel writes

Fourteen area students were named to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater dean’s list for the 2025 fall semester.

DuPage County residents may drop off unwanted or unusable paint at 29 locations throughout the county

The Westmont Environmental Improvement Committee will host its first meeting of the new year at 5:30 p.m Jan. 5 at the Westmont Public Library, 428 N. Cass Ave.

Year in Review: The city of DeKalb welcomed a variety of new businesses in 2025.

Check out some of the top news and feature pictures captured Daily Chronicle photographers in 2025

Kishwaukee College recently celebrated 115 graduating students.

The Indian Valley Theatre will hold auditions for its upcoming performances of “Birthday Club.”

With just days to go before tax credits expire that make marketplace health insurance coverage more affordable, lawmakers and industry experts said they’re concerned that costs will skyrocket for those who can least afford it in the new year.

Is the DeKalb County Courthouse open? Find out what days DeKalb County offices, as well as the courthouse, will be closed in 2026.

The meeting schedule for every DeKalb County Board meeting, and all of its committees, has been set for 2026.

Several vehicles at a semi-truck parking lot in East Dundee caught fire on Friday after a running semi was left unattended, authorities said.

DeKalb Township will partner with the Northwestern Medicine advance care-planning team to offer residents ages 18 and older one-on-one advance care-planning sessions.

Businesses came and went in DeKalb this year, Here’s a look at a few changes:

A Chicago woman is facing charges after a head-on crash in Lombard that injured four people, authorities said Wednesday.

Dailey Damhoff of Morrison has been named to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater dean’s list for the 2025 fall semester.

The DeKalb Public Library will host a workshop for adults to learn how to care for houseplants during the winter.

Here’s where Rooted for Good's DeKalb County area mobile food pantry will make stops in January. The pantry offers free food for all in need, no questions asked.

Coe College is recognizing its highest performing students as members of the dean’s list.

Kashmir, a Led Zeppelin tribute band, will perform at the Sandwich Opera House Dec. 27.

The Illinois Association of County Auditors honored Kane County Auditor Penny Wegman with the 2025 Auditor of the Year Award.

If there’s a group that can compete with the Christmastime goodwill of Santa Claus, it’s the Goodfellows of DeKalb and Sycamore – a volunteer group that distributed thousands of gifts to children on Christmas Eve.