Local News

Three people died in McHenry County car crashes between Monday evening and early Tuesday morning, and a fourth person was flown in a serious crash earlier Monday. Here’s what we know.

A McHenry man pleaded guilty Tuesday to harassment of a witness tied to texts messages he sent a woman threatening to “shoot up” the McHenry County courthouse and attack the judge presiding over his child custody case.

After not having a liquor license since 2013, the owner of Blackjack’s Gentleman’s Club, Ann Marie Buttitta of St. Charles, applied for one to the Kane County Liquor Commission, records show.

A former Dania furniture store, an old bank and some auto service shops had been fading into obsolescence near the border of Lombard and Glen Ellyn.

Isaiah E. Drew, of Kankakee, was arrested Monday by Kankakee police after they allegedly found a firearm on him.

American-Male, which originally opened in 1977, had been closed for a number of years.

A former Joliet Township trustee must still face 16 felony charges accusing him of pandemic relief fraud and other financial crimes after a judge denied a pretrial motion that alleged prosecutorial misconduct. 

The Ottawa Plan Commission recommended approval of a conditional use permit for a self-storage facility on Etna Road, the potential first phase of a larger 28-acre development planned on the city’s north side.

A Will County judge allowed for the pretrial release of a man charged with unlawful possession of a weapon by felon in the investigation of a June 12 shooting at a Joliet apartment complex.

Reddick Library in Ottawa will offer a full week of activities for all ages July 21–26, including book discussions, outdoor fun, teen karaoke and the Summer Reading Finale.

The Three Headed Eagle Alliance, based in Geneva, celebrated its fifth year this month.

Kane County Animal Control is hosting its next low-cost drive-through rabies vaccine and microchip clinic in August, with more offered in the fall.

St. Charles finance director Bill Hannah said St. Charles residents pay less in grocery taxes than out-of-town shoppers, citing data the city collected through artificial intelligence on foot traffic.

Kankakee County Sheriff’s Police said a 39-year-old Pembroke Township man suffered non-life-threatening injuries after being shot Monday afternoon.

DeKalb Fire Chief Mike Thomas gave an emotional farewell to the City Council on Monday, saying he feels grateful to everyone who made it possible for him to serve the DeKalb Fire Department the past 30 years.

Theodore Street in Joliet buckled during the intense heat this week. Still, the city of Joliet says problems like that should not be a widespread issue locally because most streets are asphalt paved.

A Momence man and a 17-year-old girl were arrested June 19 by Bradley police following a fight that led to another woman being stabbed.

Bethel Learning Center of Elmhurst has named Elizabeth Higgins as its new preschool director.

Elmhurst resident Margaret Battersby Black recently was installed as the third vice president of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association

A popular Addison shopkeeper is considering retirement after robbery

Starting June 20, Yolkville Cafe in Yorkville will be featuring an all new senior menu designed to the tastes of their loyal customers, and an all new catering menu.

To prevent nature from returning flooding to the town’s streets and properties, the city of Yorkville conducts annual inspections of the stormwater basins, identifying areas where extra care is required.

Before losing reelection as Nunda Township Highway commissioner, "Iron Mike" Lesperance used taxpayer money for projects that went beyond the office's legal authority, his successor contends.

Daniel Swiderski is now accused of attempted murder after McHenry County prosecutors said he hit and strangled a woman multiple times while police attempted to make contact with him.

Since the phrase “bursting at the seams” was first used by Yorkville School District 115 officials to describe their classroom capacity crisis, big changes have been anticipated. Four possible facility upgrades are being considered, two raise taxes. A referendum is likely.

An early morning kitchen fire in DeKalb Sunday left half a dozen residents without a home, authorities said.

Streator Unlimited will hold its third annual Fun Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, at City Park in Streator to celebrate the agency’s 60th anniversary with live music, food trucks and activities for all ages.

Bourbonnais Township Park District held the grand opening for its Storybook Forest.

Kaneland School District 302 has sued Sugar Grove, asking a judge to dissolve The Grove tax increment financing district redevelopment project, Kane County court records show.

A former Joliet police officer facing federal drug trafficking charges has been sentenced to serve two years of conditional discharge after he was found guilty of battering his ex-wife.

A Lake in the Hills man was sentenced to three years in prison after he was accused of striking and choking a woman as she slept in her home - while awaiting trial on charges of beating the same woman.

Several Kane County municipalities have free cooling centers open this week, offering a reprieve for those out and about during the heat wave.

When a trustee on the Fox River and Countryside Fire/Rescue board voted to support a candidate to fill a vacancy, neither man disclosed that they were in-laws.

Reddick Library in Ottawa will offer a wide range of activities for all ages during the week of July 14, including messy play, cooking classes, gaming and adult crafting sessions.

The playground at Cannonball Ridge Park in Yorkville could be undergoing a more than $100,000 makeover with all new inclusive play areas.

A Chinese national from California is facing a theft charge in Will County after he was accused of stealing cash from a woman who was the victim of an email scam, police said.

A child reportedly was pulled from the water Sunday at Sunburst Bay Aquatic Center in Cary and later taken to the hospital.

The Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce has named Steve Slack grand marshal of the 2025 Independence Day Parade.

The River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles will reunite with Alter Brewing Company for a fundraising event on Wednesday to support programs and projects along the Fox River.

Reddick Library in Ottawa will host a wide variety of programs during the first week of July, including story times, a cupcake decorating challenge and a special visit from a live sloth.

Bountiful Blessings Food Pantry will host its first annual silent auction fundraiser on Saturday, June 28, at the former Oakland Park School 701 S. Sterling St. in Streator.

The McHenry County Conservation District invites visitors to “Find Your Wild” and join its interactive journey through the county’s public open spaces all summer long in pursuit of fun prizes.

Dozens of people rallied in support of transgender rights Sunday in downtown DeKalb. Many said they fear for their right to simply exist in the U.S., which under President Donald Trump has targeted trans visibility, access to crisis hotlines, service in the military and more.

With the $100 million Lake Michigan water sourcing project already under construction, the new water coming down the pipeline to Yorkville could come at double the cost over the next five years. To help pay for the project, the city is considering 20% annual hikes for five years.

A remembrance ceremony honoring deceased classmates and educators from Ottawa High School and Marquette High School’s Class of 1988 will be held Saturday, Aug. 2, at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa.

A Joliet police sergeant confirmed three teens were shot in one of two shootings that were reported on Sunday morning.

Glenbard High School District 87 Superintendent David Larson reflects on 13 years leading the school district. Larson will step away from the position on July 1.

Sycamore 2-year-old Oliver Olinger’s life looks a lot different now than it did this time last year, his mom Sami Olinger said. Not only did he get a police escort Sunday among some of his favorite vehicles to the St. Charles Motorcycle Museum, but he's also cancer free.

Sycamore 2-year-old Oliver Olinger and his family got a police escort in style, joined by more than 100 motorcyclists, to the St. Charles Motorcycle Museum on Sunday. It's been almost a year since he finished treatment for leukemia, his mom said.

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