Manhattan Township

Manhattan Township Bridge Project Saved After County Commissioner Intervenes with Forest Preserve

A critical bridge replacement project in Manhattan Township, jeopardized by a stalemate with the Will County Forest Preserve District and the potential loss of $500,000 in funding, has been saved...
Manhattan Township

Soltage Solar Farm Clears Township Hurdle with Detailed Landscaping Plan

A proposed solar farm by Soltage Renewable Energy has cleared a key local hurdle after its representative presented a detailed landscaping and aesthetics plan that satisfied the Manhattan Township Board....
Manhattan Township

Solar Developer Commits Up to $800,000 for Smith Road Improvements

Summit Ridge Energy, a solar farm developer, has committed to providing up to $800,000 for the engineering and construction of improvements along Smith Road, Manhattan Township officials announced Tuesday. The...
Manhattan Township

Meeting Briefs: Manhattan Township for February 11, 2025

Baker Road Bridge Work Imminent: Highway Commissioner Jim Baltas reported that the Road District crew will soon begin trimming trees to prepare for the upcoming construction on the Baker Road Bridge....
Manhattan Township

Manhattan Township to Review Solar Farm Proposal at Special Meeting

Manhattan Township will host a special meeting Jan. 28 to review a proposed solar farm development at the corner of Cherry Hill and Manhattan roads. Soltage Renewable Energy Provider has...
Manhattan Township

Manhattan Township Briefs

Township Approves $81,000 Assessor Budget: Manhattan Township trustees unanimously approved the 2025-2026 assessor's office budget request of $81,000 during their Jan. 14 meeting. The budget includes increases for employee salaries...
Police blue and red flashing light on the car in the street

Manhattan Police Reports

Disclaimer: Charges against each defendant are merely an accusation, with all defendants presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. On November 25, officers cited Parker, Kenneth R (53) of...
Blue flasher light of siren of police car

Manhattan Police Reports

Disclaimer: Charges against each defendant are merely an accusation, with all defendants presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. On November 17, officers cited Randle, Devante (24) of...

Events

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Manhattan
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Education

manhattan 114 pto

Manhattan PTO Presents $20,000 Donation to District Schools

Article Summary: The Manhattan Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) presented a $20,000 donation to the Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education, continuing its tradition of providing substantial financial support to...
LW-SB-AUG.1

Lincoln-Way Board Approves Special Education Co-op Budget Amid Concerns Over Rising Costs

Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way District 210 Board of Education approved the Fiscal Year 2026 budget for the Lincoln-Way Special Education District 843 cooperative, while officials expressed concern over significant cost...
LW-SB-AUG.2

Lincoln-Way Board Reviews $162 Million Tentative Budget, Projects Deficit Due to Bus Purchase Timing

Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education reviewed a tentative $162.5 million budget for Fiscal Year 2026, which includes a 5.48% increase in operating expenses...
Manhattan School District 114 Logo Graphic

Manhattan School District 114 and Teachers Union Finalize New Contract

Article Summary: After months of negotiations, the Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education has unanimously approved a new collective bargaining agreement with its teachers and support staff. The approval...
MH 114 SB July 9, 2025

Manhattan 114 Explores Fifth-Grade Athletics as New Superintendent Lays Out Vision

In his first official report to the Board of Education, new Manhattan School District 114 Superintendent Dr. Damien Aherne outlined his initial priorities and introduced a significant proposal to expand...
MH 114 SB July 9, 2025

Manhattan 114 Board Hires New Teachers, Accepts Staff Resignations

The Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education approved the hiring of four certified teachers and three non-certified staff members for the upcoming school year during its meeting on July...
MH 114 SB July 9, 2025

District 114 Approves Federal Plan as Construction Nears Finish Line

The Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education took a key step in securing federal funding for the next fiscal year and received positive updates on the final stages of...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Briefs: Manhattan School District 114 for July 9, 2025

Junior High Announces Mascot Debut, Community Events: Manhattan Junior High School is preparing to introduce its new mascot, “Demo,” at the PTO’s Back to School Bash on August 15 from 5:00...
JJC-Graphic-Logo

JJC Trustees Approve Contentious FY26 Budget After Heated Debate, Failed Postponement

The Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees on Wednesday approved a $322.3 million budget for fiscal year 2026, but not before a tense debate that saw a motion to postpone...

Will County Board Meetings

Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board for August 21, 2025

The Will County Board received County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant’s proposed $791 million budget for fiscal year 2026, which holds the line on the property tax levy while funding key services....
WCO Board Aug 21.1

Will County Executive Proposes $791 Million Budget Focused on Stability Amidst Economic Uncertainty

Article Summary: Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant presented a balanced $791 million budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2026 that aims to maintain services and prepare for potential economic challenges without...
Planning & Zoning Graphic.3

Will County P&Z: Washington Township Lot Variance Granted

A variance to reduce the minimum lot area from 10 acres to 5 acres was unanimously approved for a property at 1444 E. Corning Road in Washington Township. The owner,...
solar panels photovoltaics in solar farm

Will County P&Z Approves Crete Solar Farm, Overruling Township’s General Opposition

Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval for a new commercial solar farm in Crete Township, moving the project forward despite being informed by staff of...
P&Z 8.19.25

Will County Board Approves Controversial Recovery Retreat in Crete Township Amid Strong Resident Opposition

Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission approved a special use permit for a long-term residential recovery program on a 68-acre horse farm, despite vocal opposition from Crete...

Will County P&Z: Green Garden Township Variances Granted in Monee

Roy F. Erikson received unanimous approval for two variances for his property at 26409 S. 80th Avenue in Monee. The Will County Planning and Zonning Commission approved reducing the minimum...

Will County P&Z: Manhattan Township Rezoning Approved

The Will County Planning and Zonning Commission unanimously approved a map amendment for a vacant property on South Kankakee Street in Manhattan Township. The request, brought by James and Julie...
Planning & Zoning Graphic.4

Will County P&Z: Green Garden Township Rezoning Approved Amid Concerns Over Lack of a Final Plan

Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved rezoning a large agricultural parcel in Green Garden Township for potential residential development, despite a township official expressing concern...
Two orange map markers on city map

Zoning Commission Overrules Staff, Approves Greeen Garden Twp Variance for 3-Acre Agricultural Lot

Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission approved a variance for a 3-acre lot in an agricultural zone, going against a staff recommendation to deny the request in...

Illinois News

Illinois quick hits: Pritzker signs abortion bills; Operation Purple Heart returns medals

Illinois quick hits: Pritzker signs abortion bills; Operation Purple Heart returns medals

By The Center SquareThe Center Square Pritzker signs abortion bills Two bills Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted Friday impact access to abortion procedures. House Bill 3637 shields health care providers from...
WATCH: IL Department of Human Services’ adverse audit draws legislators’ ire

WATCH: IL Department of Human Services’ adverse audit draws legislators’ ire

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A recent adverse audit of the Illinois Department of Human Services is the worst audit seen by...
Illinois prisons to publish annual data on contraband, safety and overdoses

Illinois prisons to publish annual data on contraband, safety and overdoses

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new law requires the Illinois Department of Corrections to publish annual data on contraband, substance...
Commission enacted to aid young IL farmers facing challenges

Commission enacted to aid young IL farmers facing challenges

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted a law launching the Farmland Transition Commission, a lifeline for young farmers...
Appeals court: Serious Chicago police disciplinary hearings must be public

Appeals court: Serious Chicago police disciplinary hearings must be public

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A panel of appellate court judges has ruled Chicago police officers facing serious misconduct allegations must...
WATCH: IL child welfare interns debate heats up; state financial audit released

WATCH: IL child welfare interns debate heats up; state financial audit released

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 talks live with...
Illinois quick hits: CUB challenges Ameren rate hike plan

Illinois quick hits: CUB challenges Ameren rate hike plan

By The Center SquareThe Center Square Disaster proclaimed in three counties A disaster proclamation has been issued for Cook, Jersey and Calhoun counties after severe weather last month. Gov. J.B....
WATCH: Illinois’ FY23 financial audit released amid criticism of tardy reports

WATCH: Illinois’ FY23 financial audit released amid criticism of tardy reports

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers can now look at how the state spent their money in the fiscal year that...
Illinois quick hits: Anti-SLAPP bill signed; Chicago schools settles meditation case

Illinois quick hits: Anti-SLAPP bill signed; Chicago schools settles meditation case

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Anti-SLAPP bill signed Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation to protect news media from strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP). The...

National News

Dow hits record high after Fed Chair hints at September rate cuts

Dow hits record high after Fed Chair hints at September rate cuts

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The Dow Jones Industrial Average clinched a record high Friday for the first time this year hours after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell hinted that...
WATCH: Newsom optimistic about redistricting despite poll

WATCH: Newsom optimistic about redistricting despite poll

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday said he’s proud of how quickly the California Legislature passed a congressional redistricting proposal that he signed, but he was...
Newsom meets with Danes, talks about Trump but not 2028

Newsom meets with Danes, talks about Trump but not 2028

By Dave MasonThe Center Square California Gov. Gavin Newsom came to his hometown of San Francisco Friday to talk about the state’s new green energy partnership with Denmark. But another...
CA bill to give interest on insurance payments to homeowners

CA bill to give interest on insurance payments to homeowners

By Jamie ParsonsThe Center Square The California Legislature this week passed a bill to give at least 2% of interest on insurance payments to owners of homes that need rebuilding...
DOJ releases Maxwell interview transcripts, audio; described Trump as 'gentleman'

DOJ releases Maxwell interview transcripts, audio; described Trump as ‘gentleman’

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Justice on Friday released the audio and transcript interviews with Ghislaine Maxwell, “in the interest of transparency,” in which she claims...
Erik Menendez denied parole; brother appears before board

Erik Menendez denied parole; brother appears before board

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Lyle Menendez faced a California Board of Parole hearing Friday, after two commissioners Thursday evening denied parole to his younger brother Erik Menendez after a...
After cutting union contracts, VA redirects $45M to veterans

After cutting union contracts, VA redirects $45M to veterans

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs officials announced Friday that the agency is redirecting nearly $45 million from public union costs to care for veterans. "VA...

WATCH: Trump says ‘dangerous’ Chicago next after addressing crime in D.C.

By Greg BishopThe Center Square President Donald Trump says Chicago is next on his list of cities to focus on cleaning up crime. In December, after Trump was elected to...
Gallego, others question Meta on policies for kids using AI

Gallego, others question Meta on policies for kids using AI

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Arizona, along with nine other senators, wrote a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg this week inquiring about the company’s policies...