Screenshot 2025-10-25 at 10.22.19 AM

Manhattan Approves Annexation for 41-Home Butternut Ridge South Subdivision

Manhattan Village Board Meeting | October 21, 2025 Article Summary: The Manhattan Village Board has approved the annexation, rezoning, and preliminary plat for a 41-home subdivision on a 20-acre parcel...
Screenshot 2025-10-25 at 10.22.33 AM

Manhattan Residents Voice Fears Over Traffic Safety, Water Use Amid Regional Growth

Manhattan Village Board Meeting | October 21, 2025 Article Summary: Following recent tragedies, residents delivered emotional pleas to the Manhattan Village Board, demanding action on truck traffic and speeding on...
Meeting-Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 for October 16, 2025

LW210 Board of Education Meeting | October 16, 2025 The Lincoln-Way District 210 Board of Education meeting on Thursday, October 16, 2025, was dominated by news that the district's support...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan School District 114 for October 8, 2025

Manhattan School District 114 Board Meeting | October 8, 2025 The Manhattan School District 114 board meeting on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, featured extensive public testimony from parents detailing significant...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Village of Manhattan for October 7, 2025

The Manhattan Village Board advanced over $1.38 million in water infrastructure projects at its meeting on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, awarding contracts for three major water main upgrades that will...
Screenshot 2025-10-17 at 3.15.09 PM

Regional Office of Education Highlights School Safety, New Learning Programs in Update

Will County Board Regular Meeting | October 16, 2025 Article Summary: Will County Regional Superintendent Dr. Lisa Caparelli-Ruff updated the County Board on key initiatives, including the installation of shooter-resistant window...
Screenshot 2025-10-17 at 11.24.23 AM

Lincoln-Way to Purchase New Buses, Add Smaller Vehicles to Address Driver Shortage

LW210 Board of Education Meeting | October 16, 2025 Article Summary: Lincoln-Way District 210 plans to update its transportation fleet by purchasing 28 new gasoline-powered school buses, three activity buses,...
Screenshot 2025-10-17 at 11.46.09 AM

Manhattan Seeks $250,000 State Grant for Safe Routes to School Program

Village of Manhattan Board Meeting - October 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Village of Manhattan is applying for a grant of up to $250,000 from the Illinois Department of Transportation's...
mental health awareness day bipolar disorder anxiety stress emot

Will County Board Compromises on Mental Health Levy, Approves $10 Million After Debate

Will County Board Regular Meeting | October 16, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board on Thursday, October 16, 2025, approved a $10 million tax levy for the Community Mental Health...
Screenshot 2025-10-17 at 11.31.38 AM

Lincoln-Way Board Honors Students with Perfect ACT Scores, Music Educator of the Year

LW210 Board of Education Meeting | October 16, 2025 Article Summary: Lincoln-Way District 210 celebrated exceptional academic and faculty achievement by formally recognizing nine students who earned a perfect composite...
Screenshot 2025-10-17 at 11.59.49 AM

Manhattan 114 Reviews Fall Student Benchmark Data, Sees Strong Growth

Manhattan School District 114 Board Meeting | October 8, 2025 Article Summary: Manhattan School District 114's Director of Curriculum and Instruction presented the board with fall benchmark data, showing that...
Screenshot 2025-10-17 at 11.46.03 AM

Public Hearing for 41-Home Butternut Ridge South Subdivision Continued in Manhattan

Village of Manhattan Board Meeting - October 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Manhattan Village Board opened a public hearing for the annexation of the proposed Butternut Ridge South development but...

Events

27 Nov
27 Nov 25
24 Dec
24 Dec 25

Education

Manhattan School 114 Graphic.2

In Month of ‘Tragic Loss,’ Manhattan School District Mourns Students and Former Board Member

Manhattan School District 114 Meeting | November 12, 2025 Article Summary:Manhattan School District 114 is grieving the recent deaths of two junior high students, Danny Bayles and Chance Hunnicutt, and...
Manhattan School District 114 Logo Graphic

Manhattan D114 Projects Flat Tax Rate Despite Higher Levy Request, Plans Abatement

Manhattan School District 114 Meeting | November 12, 2025 Article Summary:Manhattan School District 114 officials presented the tentative 2025 tax levy, which includes a higher request to capture value from...
Joliet-Junior-college.-Graphic-Logo.3

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees for October 2025

Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | October 15, 2025 The Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees took major steps on two significant, long-term projects during its October 15...
Joliet-Junior-college.-Graphic-Logo.5

JJC Celebrates “Future Wolves” Partnerships with Joliet and Troy School Districts

Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | October 15, 2025 Article SummaryJoliet Junior College celebrated its "Future Wolves" initiative by issuing proclamations honoring its inaugural partnerships with Joliet Public...
Joliet-Junior-college.-Graphic-Logo.4

JJC Receives Surprise $1.9 Million from IRS Employee Retention Credit

Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | October 15, 2025 Article SummaryJoliet Junior College has received an unexpected $1.9 million windfall from the federal Employee Retention Credit (ERC), a...
Joliet-Junior-college.-Graphic-Logo.2

JJC Advances ERP Modernization with New Vendor and Two-Year Budget

Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | October 15, 2025 Article SummaryJoliet Junior College is entering the next phase of its Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system overhaul, with the...
Joliet-Junior-college.-Graphic-Logo.4

JJC Authorizes Land Buy for Grundy County Expansion, Secures Site in Morris

Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | October 15, 2025 Article SummaryThe Joliet Junior College (JJC) Board of Trustees has authorized negotiations for a land acquisition to build a...
Meeting-Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 for October 16, 2025

LW210 Board of Education Meeting | October 16, 2025 The Lincoln-Way District 210 Board of Education meeting on Thursday, October 16, 2025, was dominated by news that the district's support...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan School District 114 for October 8, 2025

Manhattan School District 114 Board Meeting | October 8, 2025 The Manhattan School District 114 board meeting on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, featured extensive public testimony from parents detailing significant...

Will County Board Meetings

Will County Board Land Use Committee Graphic.2

Will County Committee Approves Rezoning, Denies Landfill Permit for Former Joliet Beach Club Site

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee on Thursday narrowly approved rezoning the former Joliet Beach...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Land Use & Development Committee for November 6, 2025

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 The Will County Land Use and Development Committee navigated a series of contentious zoning cases on Thursday, November...
Will County Board Land Use Committee Graphic.2

Committee Rejects Rezoning for Fencing Company in Joliet Township

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 Article Summary: Citing incompatibility with the surrounding residential neighborhood, the Will County Land Use and Development Committee unanimously denied...
Screenshot 2025-11-05 at 4.02.49 PM

County Sales Tax Revenues Strong, Cannabis Funds Dispersed to Community Programs

Will County Finance Committee Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: Will County's key sales tax revenues are on track to meet or exceed budget projections for fiscal year 2025, though...
Will County Board Land Use Committee Graphic.4

Will County Committee Grants Extensions for Crete, Washington Township Solar Projects

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee granted 180-day extensions for two commercial solar energy projects...
Will County Finance Logo

Will County Finance Committee Forwards 1.75% Compromise Property Tax Levy to Full Board

Will County Finance Committee Forwards 1.75% Compromise Property Tax Levy to Full Board Article Summary:The Will County Board’s Finance Committee on Tuesday, November 12, 2025, narrowly approved a series of...
Will County Board Land Use Committee Graphic.1

Will County Committee Denies Appeal for Crete Township ‘Tiny Home’ Permit

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee on Thursday upheld the denial of a temporary use...
solar panels photovoltaics in solar farm

New Lenox Solar Farm Gains County Committee Approval with Conditions

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 Article Summary: A 63-acre commercial solar energy facility on Spencer Road in New Lenox Township received a key endorsement...
Will County Board Land Use Committee Graphic.1

Committee Approves Frankfort Township Gaming Bar on Split Vote

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 Article Summary: Despite an objection from Frankfort Township, a proposed video gaming bar on West St. Francis Road is...

Illinois News

Illinois truckers back federal pause on non-domiciled CDLs, hope state follows suit

Illinois truckers back federal pause on non-domiciled CDLs, hope state follows suit

By Catrina Baker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois truckers are applauding a federal rule and hope the state enforces a pause on non-domiciled...
WATCH: DCFS updates missing children numbers; Budget cuts EO transparency criticized

WATCH: DCFS updates missing children numbers; Budget cuts EO transparency criticized

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares the latest...
Illinois quick hits: Armed robbery charges after incident at Senate President's office

Illinois quick hits: Armed robbery charges after incident at Senate President’s office

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Armed robbery charges after incident at Senate President's office A Chicago man has been charged with armed robbery after an incident...
Illinois sports wagers decline after implementation of new tax

Illinois sports wagers decline after implementation of new tax

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Gaming Board has reported a 15% drop in September sports betting, after the state imposed...
Chicago mayor threatens layoffs, property tax hikes if council rejects head tax

Chicago mayor threatens layoffs, property tax hikes if council rejects head tax

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is threatening service cuts, layoffs and property tax hikes if aldermen reject his...
Illinois quick hits: Four officers injured during ICE protest

Illinois quick hits: Four officers injured during ICE protest

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Four officers injured during ICE protest Four state and local law enforcement officers were injured and 21 people were arrested Friday...
Illinois quick hits: Chicago treasurer to boycott U.S. securities to protest against Trump; Governor marks opening of new union training center; Illinois farms expected to lose $67.2 million a year

Illinois quick hits: Chicago treasurer to boycott U.S. securities to protest against Trump; Governor marks opening of new union training center; Illinois farms expected to lose $67.2 million a year

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Treasurer to boycott U.S. Treasury securities to protest against Trump Chicago’s finances may take another hit after City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin...
Illinois quick hits: WARN Act reporting shows 1,600 job losses in October

Illinois quick hits: WARN Act reporting shows 1,600 job losses in October

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square WARN Act reporting shows 1,600 job losses in October The Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act for October reports...
Pritzker, alders oppose Chicago tax plans, property tax hike could be next

Pritzker, alders oppose Chicago tax plans, property tax hike could be next

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As the Chicago City Council considers 2026 budget measures, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed tax hikes continue to...

National News

FAA returns to normal operations after shutdown, launches probe

FAA returns to normal operations after shutdown, launches probe

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Federal Aviation Administration's emergency flight reductions ended Monday after Congress passed legislation funding the federal government last week, but the agency said it would...
Supreme Court declines to hear public prayer case

Supreme Court declines to hear public prayer case

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court declined to decide a case about public prayer in Florida. The case, Cambridge Christian School v. Florida High School Athletic Association,...
Supreme Court to decide immigration asylum case

Supreme Court to decide immigration asylum case

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court will decide a case that would determine at what point an individual seeking asylum "arrives" in the United States. The Trump...
Michigan school board passes controversial sex ed policies

Michigan school board passes controversial sex ed policies

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square After weeks of public backlash, the Michigan Board of Education officially moved forward to adopt controversial new Michigan Health Education Standards Framework. The newly-adopted standards...
Everyday Economics: Jobs data returns as government reopens

Everyday Economics: Jobs data returns as government reopens

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square With the government shutdown finally over, this week brings a double dose of good news: federal workers start receiving paychecks again, and economic data collection...
Supreme Court case could have major effect on 2026 midterms

Supreme Court case could have major effect on 2026 midterms

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to take up a case that could have an effect on the 2026 midterm elections. The case, Watson v....
Competing crypto plans create 'narrow path' for adoption

Competing crypto plans create ‘narrow path’ for adoption

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Two competing plans seeking to define market structure for digital assets in the U.S. have left a "narrow path" to pass regulations for cryptocurrency. The...
Congress used government funding bill to 'erase' $3.4 trillion in deficits

Congress used government funding bill to ‘erase’ $3.4 trillion in deficits

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Quietly tucked inside Republicans’ funding deal to end the government shutdown is a provision wiping the congressional Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) scorecard, effectively forgiving nearly $3.4 trillion...
Illinois patient relies on ACA tax credits, experts warn they drive higher premiums

Illinois patient relies on ACA tax credits, experts warn they drive higher premiums

By Catrina BarkerThe Center Square President Donald Trump signed a House-passed short-term spending bill late Wednesday, ending the shutdown and keeping the government open through January, notably without the Affordable...