From elections and major developments to big hires and more, here’s some DeKalb County news we’re keeping an eye on in 2026:

Kishwaukee College will host a Discover Kish event for new students and their families to learn about and explore the college. The Jan. 7 event includes a resource fair.

Here’s what’s happening at Somonauk Public Library in January:

AARP’s Tax–Aide will offer a free tax return preparation program in 2026 for everyone, focused also on area residents ages 50 and older. The program will be available at five locations in DeKalb, La Salle, Genoa, and Sycamore.

Applications are available for KVAL’s 55th annual Northern Illinois Art Show

2025 Year in Review: From data centers to local protests, major trials and more, here are some top news stories that made headlines in DeKalb County this year

Catch up on the week’s top DeKalb County news in minutes for the week of Dec. 21-27. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

2025 Year in Review: These feel-good, unique and community-focused news stories made headlines in DeKalb County this year for highlighting major wins, triumph over adversity and neighbors celebrating neighbors.

Check out some of the top news and feature pictures captured Daily Chronicle photographers in 2025

Kishwaukee College recently celebrated 115 graduating students.

The Indian Valley Theatre will hold auditions for its upcoming performances of “Birthday Club.”

Check out some of the best sports images captured by Daily Chronicle photographers in 2025.

DeKalb Township will partner with the Northwestern Medicine advance care-planning team to offer residents ages 18 and older one-on-one advance care-planning sessions.

The DeKalb Public Library will host a workshop for adults to learn how to care for houseplants during the winter.

Here’s where Rooted for Good's DeKalb County area mobile food pantry will make stops in January. The pantry offers free food for all in need, no questions asked.

Yes, you can recycle your used Christmas tree. Here’s how if you live in DeKalb County.

If there’s a group that can compete with the Christmastime goodwill of Santa Claus, it’s the Goodfellows of DeKalb and Sycamore – a volunteer group that distributed thousands of gifts to children on Christmas Eve.

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

Teenagers in sixth through 12th grades are invited to sound off against DeKalb Public Library teen staff in various games to celebrate winter break.

Adults 18 and older will be able to create personalized take-home dryer balls during a hands-on program at the DeKalb Public Library.

With the end of the year in sight, Sycamore city officials have prepared a calendar for city meetings in 2026. The Sycamore City Council approved that schedule this month.

Trees were lit, parades were held and snow even made a major appearance in early December. Though this Christmas may not be white, festivities throughout DeKalb County spread holiday cheer in communities near and far. Take a look back at some highlights:

A longtime Sycamore educator’s life and legacy is being honored with a new endowment fund.

Kishwaukee College recently recognized 26 students for completing the college’s registered nursing program during a pinning ceremony.

Catch up on the week’s top DeKalb County news in minutes for the week of Dec. 14-20. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

The DeKalb Public Library will host an event for disabled residents ages 16 and older and their caregivers to socialize and interact with each other.

Children ages four to 13 can celebrate the winter solstice during a program at the DeKalb Public Library.

Sycamore officials have accepted a public sanitary sewer and water main into the city’s waterworks after the infrastructure was installed in the Stonegate of Heron Creek development.

The DeKalb County History Center’s new $1.8 million outdoor expansion is expected to open in May.

A 66-year-old woman was killed Tuesday after she was struck by a car while attempting to walk across the road near her home in unincorporated Sycamore, authorities said.

Sycamore businesses will be required to share state tax documents with the city next year, following a unanimous vote from the Sycamore City Council this week.

Some streets in Sycamore will no longer have street parking on school days, and others will have reduced speed limits after the Sycamore City Council approved changes to the city’s road laws this week. City Manager Michael Hall said the changes are meant to make streets safer.

Staff and teachers, from kindergarten to Sycamore High School, have begun receiving AI video training sessions, according to district documents. District 427 officials hope to begin implementing AI into the classroom during the 2026-2027 school year.

The J.F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center recently announced the schedule for its 2026 Soup-er Sundays winter lecture series that focuses on local history and preservation.

The United Church of Sandwich’s United Kids After School program recently filled Operation Christmas Boxes as part of a Samaritan’s Purse project.

Sycamore officials could opt to authorize changes to signs, speed limits and other laws for at least seven intersections and roadways inside the city on Monday.

DeKalb County has warming centers throughout DeKalb, Sycamore and Genoa free to use and open to all looking for shelter during the cold season and winter weather.

Area nonprofits that offer programming for DeKalb County youth are invited to apply for grant funding.

The Kishwaukee Concert Band will perform a holiday concert to celebrate the band’s and community ensemble musicians who perform for the love of music.

The Fellowship Baptist Church will host a drive-thru Nativity on Dec. 18 for the community to celebrate Christmas.

Six area programs that address hunger, medical resources, social services, education, mental health and community building for the elderly recently received funding boosts through the DeKalb County Community Foundation.

The Federated Church of Sycamore will host its annual cookie and candy sale on Dec. 19 to support the church preschool’s programs.

The Sycamore City Council unanimously approved a $25.39 million budget that includes a $1.31 million increase on personnel, contractual services and supplies.

The city portion of the 2025 property tax bill will likely go up for Sycamore residents after the Sycamore City Council voted to keep the same tax rate that was used for the previous billing cycle.

Adults of all fitness abilities are invited to two seated fitness sessions at the DeKalb Public Library.

There’s a vacancy on the Sycamore Community School District 427 Board of Education.

School officials said taxpayers could owe the Sycamore School District 427 a smaller amount than last year on their 2025 property tax bill, which will be due in 2026, provided their home value didn't change.

The DeKalb Public Library will host an after-hours concert featuring Arcomusical on Dec. 12.

The DeKalb American Legion Auxiliary is hosting a Wreaths Across America campaign to provide holiday wreaths for DeKalb County residents to buy for veterans and veteran gravesites.

The DeKalb Public Library will host an event for residents to create a gingerbread house box to store small Christmas gifts.