The only constant in life is change and in 2025, like most years, there were plenty of changes which took place in Kankakee County.

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.

Under a one-year management agreement that went into effect Dec. 1, the YMCA of Rock River Valley will provide executive leadership support to the Dixon YMCA, working closely with the local Board of Directors and staff

The Sterling-Rock Falls Family YMCA will host a Dec. 17 open house for Aquatics Director Deb Mortonson, who is retiring after being involved with YMCA communities for 39 years.

Just weeks ago, the Dixon Family YMCA faced the threat of closing both its facilities. But thanks to nearly $200,000 raised in emergency funding and swift action by community leaders, the YMCA has stabilized operations and is laying the groundwork for a long-term comeback.

From youth basketball to adult volleyball, the Fox Valley Family YMCA is rolling out a wide range of fall athletic programs for all ages.

The Do it Best Foundation has distributed more than $115,000 in grants this quarter to local organizations, including the Dixon Family YMCA and Hope Cancer Wellness Center in Dixon, supporting children and families in communities where Do it Best team members live and work.

Join the Lee County Sheriff’s Office for its annual Stuff the Squad event from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 15, in Dixon.

The TALK-LINE interview for Oct. 1 featured Dixon Family YMCA Community Wellness and Fitness Director Katie Matteson discussing childcare enrollment still available for toddlers through 5 years of age at the new Lovett Childcare Center.

After 18 years at the helm, Dixon Family YMCA CEO Andy McFarlane has stepped down, according to a news release issued by the YMCA Board of Directors.

The gift, to be paid over five years in annual August installments, reflects the company’s commitment to investing in Dixon’s future by supporting local families and young learners, according to company officials.

The TALK-LINE interview for August 6 featured Dixon Family YMCA Chief Executive Officer Andy McFarlane discussing the organization’s recent participation during the 2025 Dixon Petunia Festival “Reagan Run” and the “National Night Out” observance

Will County children are now eligible to enroll in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which will provide them free books each month until the age of five.

Morris Hospital and the Morris Hospital YMCA have announced their free community programs for August, which are held at 2200 W. Dupont Ave., and don’t require a YMCA membership.

Will County schools could face complications funding some of their programs in the coming months following a grant funding freeze by the Trump Administration. The State of Illinois has joined a lawsuit demanding the release of the grant money.

After four years serving the Streator Family YMCA in different roles, including two as Program Director and two as Executive Director, Shannon Harback officially announced her resignation

The TALK-LINE interview for July 11 featured Sterling/Rock Falls Family YMCA Marketing and Development Director Ellie Hanlon talking about the success of the summer day camp program for 2025.

The TALK-LINE interview for July 2 featured Dixon Family YMCA Chief Executive Officer Andy McFarlane and Dixon Petunia Festival Reagan Run board member Deb Trancoso previewing the 25th annual Ronald Reagan 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, July 5.

The Holly Club of Joliet will host its final fundraiser on June 10. The club typically donated $40,000 to organizations in the community.

Read the transcript from our Talk-Line interview with Ellie Hanlon, the Marketing and Development Director at the Sterling/Rock Falls Family YMCA.

The TALK-LINE interview for May 27 featured the Marketing and Development Director at the Sterling/Rock Falls Family YMCA, Ellie Hanlon.

The Ottawa YMCA’s Discovery Preschool enrollment is now open

The Kankakee Area YMCA has hired a new executive director. David Parker, a lifelong Portland-area resident and University of Oregon graduate, will be departing the Pacific Northwest region and will soon call the nation’s Midwest home.

The Sterling-Rock Falls YMCA hosted its annual Easter egg hunt in the pool Friday, April 11, 2025.

Improvements will include a comprehensive update of both cardio machines and weight training equipment.

Dixon Family YMCA Chief Executive Officer Andy McFarlane talks about an update on the new Lovett Child Care Center in south Dixon.

The Midland States Bank Foundation has committed to providing $25,000 over the next two years to help offset construction, furnishing and equipment costs associated with the construction of the Dixon Family YMCA’s new Lovett Child Development Center, which opened in January.

Concrete is being poured at Fox Valley Family YMCA's $16 million new East Branch facility in Bristol, and investments are being made at their Plano and Sandwich locations. With the expanding services, they are keeping a close eye on federal uncertainties.

The TALK-LINE interview for March 5 is with Chief Executive Officer at the Dixon Family YMCA, Andy McFarlane, along with Fitness Director Katie Matteson discussing the upcoming “Shamrock Shuffle” Fun Run and 5K on March 15.

Chris Shue joins the Fox Valley Family YMCA after serving as the CEO of a social services agency in Chicago.

The YMCA is adding programs at Joliet Junior College's Event Center as the organization plans to close its Galowich facility in 2026.

Listen to the TALK-LINE interview with Dixon Family YMCA Chief Executive Officer Andy McFarlane discussing the opening of the new Lovett Child Care Center and more.

National homebuilder Lennar will provide new single-family housing – Towne Center II – on 139 lots between the existing Towne Center and Fox Bend neighborhoods in Shorewood.

Number of child care spots growing from 48 to 226.

The Dixon Family YMCA held a ribboncutting Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, for its new child care center.

After breaking ground in November 2023, the Dixon YMCA Child Care Center is closer to opening.

The Dixon YMCA Child Care Center held an open house for families enrolled in the program Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. The facility is getting close to opening.

The 60,000-square-foot Village of Shorewood YMCA is being built in partnership with the village of Shorewood. Local officials gathered for a grounding-breaking ceremony for the facility on Thursday.

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Village of Shorewood YMCA on Thursday, Nov. 21. The new facility is expected to be open in spring 2026.

As a way to pay tribute to the victims and heroes of 9/11, the Dixon YMCA challenged patrons to use the stair machine to climb 110 flights, the same as the World Trade Center.

September is National Hunger Action Month and several Plainfield organizations and taxing bodies are joining together to help support local food pantries.

Trisha Dust will lead operations at the Galowich Family YMCA in Joliet during construction of the 50,000-square-foot Shorewood YMCA facility.

Morris Police Officer Mike Bober will offer tips to help keep seniors safe from phone and internet scams, according to a news release from the Morris Hospital.

The groundbreaking ceremony will take place at noon Aug. 27 at the site of the future facility at 1520 Cannonball Trail in Bristol.

Filotto Professional Services in Joliet and the Edward Jones Joliet office both have second generation succession plans.

The Fox Valley YMCA, Sandwich Park District, Village of Somonauk and Growing Hope Globally are sponsoring a Charity Pickleball Tournament on Sunday, June 23.

The Fox Valley Family YMCA in Plano has seen its membership increase 13.8% since 2022.

The Greater Joliet YMCA recognized Bill Lauer’s 80 years of YMCA membership and more than 60 years of board service at its gala on Feb. 24.

The Dixon Dolphins swim team had 14 swimmers compete in the Illinois YMCA State Championship on March 9 and 10.

The Joliet Regional Port District will receive $1,552,500 for the growing pilot flight training schools at Lewis University Airport.