The redesign is meant to consolidate the previously disconnected collection of offices occupied by the school’s deans, counselors, social workers, and mental health professionals into a shared, centralized space.

County elections, leadership changes at the Diocese of Joliet and for some large school districts are just some of the stories we will be following this year.

The long-range facility plan is broken down into three phases: facility condition assessment, educational alignment and long-range facility planning.

Here's a look at our top stories for Will County in 2025

After more than a decade of whole milk being absent from school cafeterias, legislation allowing for more milk options awaits the president’s signature.

Joliet Central High School Students of the Month are selected based on character, responsibility and academic performance or improvement.

After the mass school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Congress appropriated $1 billion to permanently bring 14,000 mental health professionals into the schools that needed it the most.

Morrison firetrucks, filled with Santas, Mrs. Clauses and elves, rolled through the streets Friday, Dec. 19, to deliver toys collected through the Morrison Fire Department’s annual Caring for Our Community Toy Drive.

Silver Cross Hospital issued a warning about rising cases of norovirus this holiday season and shared tips to avoid getting sick or spreading germs.

The new Serenity Landing project received full support of the Lockport City Council on Wednesday, with one minor adjustment to the zoning.

Along with the construction of two new school buildings, the $275 million would pay for additions to Yorkville High School.

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.

At approximately 12:38 p.m., the Bolingbrook Police Department responded to the 100 block of Nutwood Court for the report of an armed robbery.

Elwood Community Consolidated School District 203 has selected Dr. Matt Swick as its new superintendent, starting on July 1, 2026.

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.

The performances combine a dessert show in the school cafeteria with a stage performance in Central’s Harold and Jean Miner Auditorium.

The current Serenity Landing proposal, brought by developer NVR/Ryan Homes, includes a 183.68 acre mixed-use housing development.

All four Plainfield District 202 high schools have announced the schedule for the holiday collage concerts this December.

Ogle County Educational Cooperative and Chana Education Center recently announced that Lynn Kalnins has been chosen as the Illinois Principal Association Northwest Region Middle School Principal of the Year.

The City of Lockport is considering a new proposal for a real estate development in the Fairmont area, which is expected to receive some pushback from residents.

“It’s always a work in progress, but we’re making good growth," Joliet District 86 Superintendent Dr. Theresa Rouse said in reviewing the results of the district's scores on the state report card.

The city of Rock Falls is excited to kick off the sixth annual holiday light display Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, at Centennial Park.

Della Travis served on the Lockport Township High School Board of Education from 2015-2019. She passed away Sunday at the age of 84.

Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, and state Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, recently hosted their fourth annual Education Summit – an event that has grown into a forum for solutions-focused conversations about improving education across northern Illinois.

Citgo Innovation Academies are STEM-focused educational programs to build a K-12 pipeline of future innovators in communities near Citgo’s operational areas.

Plainfield East High School band and choir students departed Sunday morning for Disney Word to perform in the Thanksgiving Day Parade and at EPCOT.

The District 365U board voted Monday night to approve Dr. Teresa Polson to succeed Dr. Keith Wood, who will retire at the end of the current school year.

Joliet Township High School District 204 schools showed significant improvement in graduation rates in 2025, but fell below the state average on proficiency scores.

Valley View School District's high school students and teachers will not see their schedules extended next year as a provision of the new contract reached with the teacher's union in October.

USF is making connections at Catholic schools in far southwestern Illinois to attract students from that region to the university.

Lockport Township High School District 205 received a commendable rating on the state report card. “We’re pleased with the results, but there’s always work to do," said Superintendent Dr. Robert McBride.

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.

Students at Merrill School in Rock Falls spent their school day Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, learning about veterans and the sacrifices they have made in service to the country.

Nicor Gas, in partnership with the nonprofit group Operation Warm, distributed winter coats to every student at T.E. Culbertson Elementary School in Joliet on Friday.

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.

Thirty-six District 202 middle school musicians and singers have been selected for the 2025 Illinois Music Education Association District 9 Honor Band and Honor Choir.

Joliet Public Schools District 86 hosted a pop-up pumpkin patch for special education students at Sator Sanchez and Lynne Thigpen Elementary Schools on Oct. 23.

The book program features award-winning and popular titles recognized by the American Library Association’s Youth Media Awards, including Newbery, Caldecott and Pura Belpré selections.

Oregon High School will present its fall play, “Dystopia! The Hungry Maze Game of Divergent Death” by Don Zolidis on Friday, Nov. 7 and Saturday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. and on Sunday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. in the OHS Auditorium.

Michael Jensen has earned a perfect composite score of 36 on the ACT, achieved by fewer than one quarter of 1% of test takers nationwide, Providence High School said.

The theme of the public forum is “Collaborating for the Future: Our Students, Our Spaces, Our Growth."

As many as 10 students may have been involved in a fight at Joliet West High School and no arrests have been made as the investigation remains open, police said.

Sterling Public Schools held a groundbreaking ceremony Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, for a new indoor multipurpose student center designed to expand training and recreation opportunities for Sterling High School students.

Valley View School District 365-U approved a contract with its teachers union Thursday after months of negotiation and threats of a strike.

Village trustees reviewed the latest plans for the former Traughber Junior High School property during their Oct. 21 Village Board meeting.

Sterling Public Schools will hold a groundbreaking ceremony Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, on a new indoor multipurpose student center designed to expand training and recreation opportunities for Sterling High School students.

Attendees will have an opportunity to engage with interactive presentations and explore how STEAM learning empowers the next generation.

The Lockport Township High School District 205 board voted to extend Superintendent Dr. Robert McBride's contract for an extra year.

The contest, led by Madison Elementary, accepts writing and cover art submissions from kindergarten to eighth graders to publish in a student book that will be on the shelves at all district school libraries.

Lincoln-Way East Principal Toriano Griggs said the award reflects the school’s culture of hard work and community support.