The Chicago Bears' Eric Bieniemy is "just having fun" in his return to being a running back coach. He's also helped rejuvenate the unit to one of the best in the NFL along the way.

The Rochelle City Council and Ogle-Lee Fire Protection District Board of Trustees recently approved a $669,000 purchase for the third phase of their joint fire training facility at 920 S. Main St. in Rochelle.

Meier: If you hold a professional license, a great deal of detailed information about you and your work is public information, likely published online by regulatory authorities. This increases the chance of a targeted scam attempt against you.

Newman wins the Forreston Holiday Tournament Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, with a thrilling OT win over Byron.

From Capitol News Illinois: The Illinois Accountability Commission held its first public meeting Thursday in the city’s Little Village neighborhood to compile an official public record of misconduct by federal agents during the Trump administration’s “Operation Midway Blitz”

In two separate decisions, the ICC struck $25.4 million from ComEd’s $268.5 million 2024 rate request and $11.2 million from Ameren Illinois’ $59.6 million multi-year rate request

The Dixon School Board approved new hires, a change of status, and several coach appointments Wednesday, Dec. 17.

The Chicago Bears will get a chance to exact revenge and boost their playoff chances Saturday night when they host the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field. Here are the top five storylines to watch.

Newman boys basketball advanced to Friday's Forreston tournament championship against Byron. Eastland boys and girls also won tournament titles, Morrison boys wrestling beat Newman and more in Thursday's Sauk Valley roundup.

OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Medical Center in Dixon has recognized two Mission Partners for their extraordinary commitment to compassionate communication and patient-centered care.

A federal prison inmate at FCI Thomson was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday in connection with the 2020 murder of his cellmate

Each December, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs' office returns ICash money to nonprofit groups helping people in need. This year, Frerichs decided to assist food pantries.

The Chicago Bears will be without top wide receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday after the team ruled them out Thursday. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds was questionable to make his return.

Host Brandon Clark chats with Dixon's mayor about the city's tax levy, comprehensive plan, high school fall sports teams, and more.

On this episode of Talk Line, host Brandon Clark chats with Sinnissippi Center's Andy Jackson about National Impaired Driving Prevention Awareness Month and how listeners can keep themselves and loved ones safe while enjoying the holiday season.

The Dixon Historic Theatre will screen "White Christmas" on Friday, Dec. 19.

Celebrate the New Year at these exciting events in northern Illinois.

The Chicago Bears will play the Green Bay Packers for a second time in 14 days, Saturday night at Soldier Field. Shaw Local's Michal Dwojak and Joe Aguilar give the latest news from Halas Hall and break down key matchups for the rematch

The Sterling girls basketball team beat United Township 54-31 in Western Big 6 Conference action at home on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025.

Welcome to the biggest regular-season game at Soldier Field since the Bears faced Green Bay in the 2013 finale, where the winner took the division title, Marc Silverman writes. His prediction? Bears 27, Packers 23

The Dixon School Board approved Melydi Huyett on Wednesday, Dec. 17, to be the district's next superintendent. Huyett will replace Superintendent Margo Empen after her retirement.

Dixon beat Rockford Christian in BNC action as Brody Nicklaus scored 18 points. Milledgeville, Oregon and Forreston boys picked up wins, Sterling girls bowling is 5-0 and more in Wednesday's Sauk Valley roundup.

The American Legion in Dixon will serve from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19.

Hunters in Illinois took a preliminary total of 81,225 deer during the seven-day 2025 Illinois firearm deer season that concluded Dec. 7

The Chicago Bears announced in an open letter that they are reopening their search for a location for their new stadium in the Chicagoland area, including Northwest Indiana.

From Capitol News Illinois: Illinois Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders cautioned members of the State Board of Education on Wednesday not to get their hopes up for any big increase in K-12 school funding next year

A Rock Falls man whose plea agreement in a case accusing him of home invasion, sex assault, and aggravated battery was turned down in Whiteside County Circuit Court says his right to a speedy trial has been violated and is asking that the case be dismissed

A powerful and fast-moving weather system is expected to bring a wide range of hazardous conditions to northern Illinois on Thursday, with the greatest impacts likely developing by late afternoon and evening

Chicago Bears coordinators met with reporters at Halas Hall in Lake Forest on Wednesday as the team prepared for its rematch with the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night at Soldier Field. Here are three of the most interesting things they said.

Chicago Bears wide receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III both missed practice Wednesday as the team returned to the field ahead of playing the Green Bay Packers on Saturday. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds returned in limited fashion.

In November, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and 21 other AG’s offices sued the Trump administration after it attempted to cut off SNAP benefits for tens of thousands of lawful permanent residents

“This report provides the most detailed picture to date of how alcohol use and misuse affect the health and safety of Illinois residents,” Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said.

The NFL named Chicago Bears linebacker D’Marco Jackson the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 15 on Wednesday.

Longtime Sterling-Rock Falls Family YMCA youth sports and swim instructor Deb Mortonson is calling it a career after 39 years of work with the YMCA.

EP took the win 34-32 Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2026, in Erie. -Photos by Jessie Ottens

Sterling boys wrestling beat Fulton 40-39, Newman boys basketball won, Dixon boys bowling is 3-0 and more in Tuesday's Sauk Valley roundup.

The Chicago Bears would’ve been without a couple of their top wide receivers Tuesday. Wide receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III both would've missed practice according to an estimated report while linebacker Tremaine Edmunds would've returned.

From Capitol News Illinois: Illinois residents who buy health insurance on the Affordable Care Act marketplace now have until Dec. 31 to select a plan for coverage that takes effect Jan. 1.

Two-win teams in the playoffs? Join hosts Steve Soucie and Matt Rodewald as they review the IHSA expansion of the high school football playoffs and what it means for the sport going forward.

From Capitol News Illinois: Of the sales tax revenue going toward public transportation, 85% will be dedicated to the Chicago region. New projects the law could set in motion include passenger train service to Peoria, Moline and Kankakee, and new CTA stations in Chicago

The Chicago Bears will have a chance to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Here's a look at how those paths vary depending on how the Bears do in their final three games of the season.

Starting Monday, all filings with the Court of Claims will be submitted through a new online e-filing portal –clerkofthecourt.ilsos.gov.

Whiteside County deputies took children shopping Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, during their annual Shop with a Cop event in Sterling. - Photos by Brian Hurley

The Job Search Workshop is held the second Tuesday of each month from 2-3:30 p.m. at the Sterling Library.

From Capitol News Illinois: Rep. Bob Morgan accused the president of prioritizing tech companies above normal citizens. Illinois lawmakers vowed to keep fighting for protections against AI after President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday to shield tech companies

Check out these theaters across northern Illinois that are bringing holiday classics like "The Nutcracker" and "A Christmas Carol" to life this season.

The Millie Moo Foundation in Hillsdale has officially launched with a mission to provide hope and financial support to families facing pediatric cancer while also offering scholarships to students pursuing agricultural careers.

Dixon's Ahmyrie McGowan scored 20 points in a 43-32 loss to 7-0 Morton. Oregon and Rock Falls girls won, Oregon boys basketball fell to Byron and more in Monday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Sterling forced 38 turnovers and Joslynn James scored 32 points as the Golden Warriors cruised to a 58-21 victory over La Salle-Peru on Monday.

Storytime is a 30-minute drop-in program each Thursday evening designed for families with preschool through early elementary-aged kids.