The fire originated from a computer cart in the Dirksen music room, according to the report Joliet District 86 received Tuesday from the State Fire Marshal.

Polo School District Superintendent Kelly Mandrell has been named the 2026 Northwest Region IASA superintendent of distinction, a district news release said.

Middle schoolers from Dixon, Sterling and Rock Falls' Catholic Schools competed Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, in a head-to-head dodgeball tournament in celebration of Catholic School Week.

The Hall of Champions honors JCA graduates who have made a profound impact in fields such as medicine, law, education, business, technology, and entertainment.

Joliet firefighters put out a fire at Dirksen Junior High School during the extreme cold on Friday that led to frozen fire hydrants and one firefighter was evaluated for a frostbite.

This annual adults-only night of entertainment, dinner, games and live and silent auctions will support the St. Mary Immaculate Parish School community.

The Will County Coroner's Office has identified Makenna Maurisak, 24, as the driver killed in the Thursday morning collision.

"The area needs infrastructure upgrades and improvements such as clearly marked pedestrian crossings, sufficient lighting, and revised speed limits to keep up with the growth," State Sen. Patrick Joyce and state Rep. Anthony DeLuca said.

UCP-Center for Disability Services founder – Mel Larsen of Joliet (deceased) – had no connection to anyone with a disability or cerebral palsy.

The driver of a passenger vehicle was killed when it collided with a Manhattan School District bus carrying students Thursday morning in southeastern Will County.

Led by adviser Mellisa McMillan, the Ag program at Ashton-Franklin Center recently received a $4,500 grant from the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce.

SVM photographer Alex T. Paschal takes a closer look at a first-day-of-school photo: "As I once again study the picture, the more I like it. The little “rock-and-roller” stumping for dad’s camera, his young sis looking like she has once again had it with big bro’s antics."

A dozen speakers spoke out against the proposed closure of A.O. Marshall Elementary School in Joliet during a public hearing on Thursday.

The Prairie Center development in St. Charles may become the site of a new private preschool and childcare center with annual tuitions more expensive than a year at Northern Illinois University.

Nancy Nassr has been appointed the new Head of School at the Avery Coonley School in Downers Grove.

St. Francis High School is searching for a new leader following the announcement last week that school President Phil Kerr will retire at the end of the school year.

At an emergency meeting Tuesday, the Kankakee School Board approved the immediate closure of Edison Primary due to structural issues in the building, which had been home to 185 students in kindergarten through third grades.

ACES Academy is receiving national recognition for its work with parents in better understand the learning options available for their children, the school said.

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

The 6th Annual free Building Inclusive Community Conference will be held from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m Feb. 7 at Lyons Township High School - South Campus, 4900 Willow Springs Road, Western Springs.

Children’s Road To Success Daycare in Crest Hill held its inaugural “Preschool Program Showcase and Winter Ball” on Dec. 12 in Joliet.

Joliet Junior College will use the grant to fund summer science, technology, engineering, and math camps for students in grades 6-12.

The Kishwaukee College Foundation awarded $124,250 in program enhancement funds to Kishwaukee College departments for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Stillman Valley High School recently announced that sophomore Bryce Files was awarded a grant for his supervised agricultural experience project from Valent USA.

A Wheaton middle school teacher shares memories from her trip to Costa Rica's cloud forest with other educators

As proposed, five three-story apartment buildings containing 125 units would be built as well as six two-story owner-occupied townhouse buildings containing 36 units.

CHS Rochelle recently presented a donation of $21,733.05 to the Ogle County Educational Cooperative from its annual charity golf outing earlier this year.

Jocelyn Bogatitus was recently named the November Student of the Month at Polo Community High School. She received a scholarship from the Polo Schools Foundation for her efforts.

Downers Grove police are investigating a burglary and attempted robbery on Wednesday at Downers Grove North High School, authorities said.

The Alpha Wolf Club student leaders program at Wesmere Elementary School in Plainfield has launched a new student podcast for 2025-26.

Rochelle FFA horse judging teams recently competed at the Kewanee Hog Capital Horse Evaluation competition.

Castle Automotive Group in Downers Grove recognized the dedication and impact of outstanding educators in Downers Grove Grade School District 58 with its first Educator of the Year award.

Lyons Township High School has completed its South Campus construction projects, highlighted by a brand-new cafeteria/commons and state-of-the-art music rooms

Shortly before 3 p.m. on Thursday, deputies responded to the area of Green Garden and Princeton Street in Lockport Township regarding a vehicle that crashed into a fence, Will County Sheriff’s Office said.

Students collected donations during the Small School Big Hearts campaign on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 at Dimmick School in La Salle. The “Small School, Big Hearts” campaign is a toy drive organized by third graders and celebrates the power of kindness, generosity and community spirit. Gifts will be wrapped and sent to Officer Santa with the La Salle Police Department and St. Jude. The school is accepting donations through Dec. 12.

The Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58 is funding 17 teacher grants totaling more than $33,000 for the 2025-26 school year.

The late Phyllis A. Olsta, a 1951 graduate of St. Francis Academy who went on to a career in the travel industry, donated $6.08 million to her alma mater.

The Ashton-Franklin Center School District recently released its honor roll for the first quarter of the 2025-2026 school year.

Centennial Elementary School in Polo has been ranked among the 2026 Best Elementary Schools by U.S. News & World Report.

A Rock Falls public school was ranked in the top 10% of all Illinois schools by the state board of education's 2025 report card data.

All proceeds will be used to operate the nonprofit radio station. WCSF-88.7 FM is known in the greater Joliet area for its “Spirit of Christmas” programming.

Laynie Mandrell was recently named the October Student of the Month at Polo Community High School. After high school, she plans to attend college to become an industrial engineer or dietitian.

Parkside Middle School held their annual Veterans Day program on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025 at Parkside Middle School in Peru.

Students at Lincoln School honored Veterans on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, in Princeton. A pair of United States Coast Guard commanders, Erin Chlum and Matt Saldivar, were the guest speakers during the event.

Merrill School in Rock Falls spent Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, hearing from local veterans and working on projects to thank them.

Reza Jaddi said he is a huge champion of Wounded Warrior Project, Romeoville American Legion Post 52 and any veteran Jaddi happens to meet. He even bought a Humvee in 2017 to give the community an idea of "what our veterans used out in the field," he said.

Forrestville Valley School Foundation is honored to announce the establishment of the Max Wenzel Educational Scholarship, a monumental gift that will shape the future of its students for generations to come.

There were 26,203 student contacts made through 1,298 programs in Ogle and Carroll counties last year.

Ogle County students were among the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater scholarship recipients receiving financial awards for the 2025-26 academic year.

Prospective students can learn about Kankakee Community College during an Explore KCC Day on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Sessions begin at noon.