A McHenry Community High School social science teacher was among those recently honored during the 2026 Those Who Excel and Teacher of the Year Awards in Normal.

From Capitol News Illinois: Gov. JB Pritzker announced Friday that 434 Illinois pharmacies will receive nearly $25 million in support, the first distribution of annual funding established through legislation he signed last year.

From Capitol News Illinois: The Illinois State Board of Education formally adopted a plan Wednesday aimed at improving math instruction and boosting student math scores throughout the state.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs through July 19.

Lake in the Hills officials have changed food truck rules for the second time in the past year.

A tornado was confirmed to have touched down Thursday evening in Bartlett near Route 59 and Stearns Road.

"A small yard sign on private property should not be treated as a hazardous structure that poses a threat to public safety," McHenry County Board member Terri Greeno writes in a guest opinion.

From Capitol News Illinois: Illinoisans now will have access to a large collection of high-quality digital information and educational resources for free by going to their local library or the Illinois State Library’s website.

A Richmond man admitted Friday to unlawfully possessing a machine gun and was sentenced to six years in prison after authorities said he possessed an "arsenal" of weapons that were illegal because of a past felony convcition.

A 23-year-old man has been arrested in Hampshire after a string of reported burglaries from vehicles in the area. Police say the suspect was taken into custody following a brief foot chase.

From Capitol News Illinois: A bill that would require the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to consider access to reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare before placing foster children out of state passed the legislature during the last week of session.

Illinois communities assess damage after 48 hours of severe storms, that including high winds, flooding and multiple tornadoes.

A Crystal Lake man and former Deerfield High volunteer coach was sentenced to prison Friday for possessing an image depicting child sex abuse. A prosecutor called the allegations "deplorable."

Starting this year, McHenry County properties that are only adjusted by their equalization factor will not receive a mailed copy of their assessment.

A fire believed to have started in a kitchen early Friday morning left a McHenry home uninhabitable, according to fire district officials.

The inaugural event will give audiences the chance to celebrate Hallmark movie magic for an evening with the stars that’s unscripted and entirely in the moment.

The Chicago Bears offense was confident about the next step it can take next year during the last month's offseason workout program. Here's why there's confidence at the end of minicamp.

A home remains habitable after firefighters quickly contained a fire that broke out in an attached garage of a single-family house late Thursday morning near McHenry, officials report.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams no longer felt like he was drowning at the end of mandatory minicamp Thursday. Williams and the offense looked comfortable heading into training camp next month. Plus more notes from the final day of minicamp.

Visit 17 downtown pouring locations, each offering samples of both red and white wines from a different region of the world.

The McHenry Senior Center will host a free Senior Health and Wellness Fair from noon to 2 p.m. Friday, June 12.

More severe weather is expected Thursday across northern Illinois, with the entire region placed under a tornado watch Thursday afternoon into Thursday evening.

A Barrington Hills man with two pending cases involving alleged threats to police, judges and a probation officer has been ordered to be held in McHenry County jail.

The co-grand marshal of the Woodstock Pride parade, which takes place Sunday, had a heart attack during last year's festival, but is returning this year after a long recuperation.

Algonquin-based School District 300 may possibly have a referendum question on the November election ballot asking citizens to consider additional funding to update its facilities.

After a rollercoaster season, Chicago Bears Braxton Jones has regained trust in himself as he competes for the starting left tackle spot this offseason. Plus more notes from the second day of mandatory minicamp at Halas Hall.

From Capitol News Illinois: A bill that will soon head to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk will officially remove an estimated 10,000 people from the state’s Medicaid program, leaving them without any form of health coverage.

From Capitol News Illinois: Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said his office was underfunded by $10 million in the latest budget, and that could make it more difficult to fight legal battles against the Trump administration.

A batch of mosquitoes collected from Fox River Grove has tested positive for West Nile virus, the McHenry County Department of Health said Wednesday.

From Capitol News Illinois: A federal judge on Tuesday OK’d the release of highly anticipated and extremely rare transcripts from a trio of grand jury sessions in October, showing alleged prosecutorial misconduct by assistant U.S. attorneys.

High heat and humidity will continue over the next two days across northern Illinois, with several rounds of severe thunderstorms expected.

Layoffs began in May for workers of Ideal US Talent Systems in Cook, Kane, Kendall, McHenry and Will counties. Ideal is a platform where workers use their smartphones to find on-demand shift work

Crystal Lake South faces Fenwick in the IHSA Class 3A Wintrust Field Supersectional on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Schaumburg.

A Fox River Grove man has admitted to attempting to get a child’s guardian to send him lewd photos of the child and to possessing obscene materials.

From Capitol News Illinois: Rep. Dan Ugaste, R-Geneva, plans to file an amended megaprojects bill that would create new requirements that were not included in the original plan passed by the House. Gov. JB Pritzker says he’s open to a special session on the issue

Chicago Bears defensive tackle Gervon Dexter is expecting to play as a whole different person next season as he enters the final year of his contact. Plus more notes from the Bears' first day of mandatory minicamp.

Twenty-four Northwest-Herald area softball players were named to the Illinois Coaches Association All-State team. Huntley's Aubrina Adamik, Prairie Ridge's Reese Mosolino, Marengo's Gabby Christopher and Marian Central's Christine Chmiel were named to the first team.

Country Club Road at the railroad tracks near Woodstock and Crystal Lake is closed for work, affecting both car and potentially rail transportation.

From Capitol News Illinois: There were some high-profile caveats that underscored the limits of Gov. JB Pritzker's clout among his fellow Democrats who run the state legislature

Forecasters warn Thursday could bring tornadoes, destructive winds, large hail, and flash flooding to northern Illinois as a dangerous weather pattern takes shape

A new wings restaurant has been planned for Huntley, but can it overcome concerns about parking and video gaming?

Crystal Lake South's Gracey LePage, who competes for Rockford Raptors FC and was an All-State soccer selection during her freshman season with the Gators, has announced her commitment to play at Notre Dame. LePage was named an ECNL All-American in 2025.

After the Chicago Bears announced last week that they’re advancing a new stadium project in Hammond, Indiana, a suburban Republican state lawmaker is trying to provide a new framework to keep the team in the Prairie State.

The old prison in Crest Hill will be demolished and rebuilt. The state plans to build two new prisons: one for men and one for women.

The Kane County Coroner’s Office has identified the man who police fatally shot after authorities said he opened fire on two people outside a Carpentersville restaurant early Saturday morning.

Martejo Discount will be closing its doors for good – again – at the end of this month, while newcomer Crunch Fitness makes moves to take over the building in Algonquin, after months of unknown delays.

Here are the 2026 All-Kishwaukee River Conference selections, as voted on by KRC coaches. Johnsburg’s Liz Smith was named Player of the Year and Woodstock’s Erin Doherty was named Goalkeeper of the Year.

Here are the 2026 All-Fox Valley Conference girls soccer selections, as voted on by FVC coaches.

From Capitol News Illinois: Illinois lawmakers gave hospitals and community health centers much of what they wanted this session by passing a bill that prohibits drug manufacturers from interfering with their access to discounted medications through a federal drug pricing program

The Chicago Bears board of directors voted to advance its stadium project in Hammond, Indiana. Does that mean the team is moving to Indiana? Shaw Local's Michal Dwojak and Joe Aguilar discuss that and preview this week's minicamp.