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Manhattan Fire District Grapples with Surging Insurance Costs in Draft Budget

Manhattan Fire Protection District Meeting | October 2025 Article Summary:The Manhattan Fire Protection District is facing significant increases in insurance premiums as it develops its next operational budget. In a...
Meeting-Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Jackson Township Board for Oct. 2025

Jackson Township Board Meeting | October 2025 The Jackson Township Board met on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, to handle standard monthly business, including the approval of financial donations to three...
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Manhattan Park District Explores Pickleball Expansion at Round Barn Farm

Manhattan Park Board Meeting | October 9, 2025 Article Summary:The Manhattan Park Board is considering adding more pickleball courts at Round Barn Farm to meet current demand, but a final...
Manhattan Township

Baker Road Bridge Projected to Open Ahead of Schedule

Manhattan Township Board Meeting | Oct. 14, 2025 Article Summary: The Manhattan Township Highway Commissioner announced that the Baker Road Bridge is expected to open on October 31. The Road District...
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Lincoln-Way 210 Switches to Under Armour for Athletic Apparel

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | November 20, 2025 Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way District 210 Board of Education has approved a new 3.5-year agreement with BSN and Under Armour...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan Village Board for November 18, 2025

Manhattan Village Board Meeting | November 18, 2025 The Manhattan Village Board on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, appointed Rosemaria DiBenedetto as the new Village Administrator and moved forward on several...
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Board Approves $6,000 Stipend for Food Pantry Leadership, Discusses Transition

Jackson Township Board Meeting | October 2025 Article Summary: The Jackson Township Board voted unanimously to authorize a financial stipend for the leadership of the Elwood Food Pantry. The decision came...
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Manhattan Fire District Approves Final Bid for New Station Landscaping

Manhattan Fire Protection District Meeting | October 2025 Article Summary: The Manhattan Fire Protection District Board of Trustees has awarded the final contract for its new station, approving a bid...
Manhattan Township

Manhattan Township Officials Question Solar Farm Tax Revenue Estimates

Manhattan Township Board Meeting | Oct. 14, 2025 Article Summary: During a discussion on solar energy developments, the Township Assessor raised concerns that his tax revenue calculations do not match the...
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Support Staff Urge Lincoln-Way 210 Board for ‘Fair Contract’ During Public Comment

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | November 20, 2025 Article Summary: Three members of Lincoln-Way District 210's support staff addressed the Board of Education, voicing frustrations over working without...
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County Takes Over “Central Will” Dial-A-Ride in Major Consolidation

Will County Board Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board approved an intergovernmental agreement to absorb the "Central Will" Dial-A-Ride system into the county-wide "Access Will County"...
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Manhattan Officials Praise IDOT’s ‘Swift Action’ on Route 52, Discuss Further Safety Measures

Manhattan Village Board Meeting | November 18, 2025 Article Summary:Manhattan Mayor Mike Adrieansen thanked the Illinois Department of Transportation for its quick response in adding safety measures at the Route...

Education

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Manhattan District Adopts New Math Program After Comprehensive Review

The Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education unanimously approved the adoption of Eureka Math Squared for kindergarten through eighth grade on Tuesday, concluding a year-long evaluation process involving 25...
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Manhattan Junior High Scholastic Bowl Team Places Second at State Championship

Manhattan Junior High School's scholastic bowl team achieved a historic milestone by placing second in the state championship, marking the first time in the program's eight-year history that the team...
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Enrollment Growth Prompts Staffing Discussions as Construction Continues

Manhattan School District 114 continues managing significant enrollment growth while construction projects remain on schedule for completion by the end of the school year. Current kindergarten enrollment of 218 students...
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Lincoln-Way Board Approves Up to $31.3 Million Bond Sale for Safety, Security Upgrades

The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution to issue up to $31.33 million in life safety bonds to fund a wide range of...
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Lincoln-Way School Board Certifies Election, Re-elects Janik as President

The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education officially reorganized for the upcoming year during its meeting on April 17, certifying the results of the April 1 consolidated...
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New Electricity Contract to Save Lincoln-Way Over $500,000 Next Year

Lincoln-Way High School District 210 is poised for significant energy cost savings after the Board of Education unanimously approved a new 54-month electric commodity contract with Direct Energy. The agreement,...
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Lincoln-Way District 210 Board Briefs

District Finances Stable in March ReportAssistant Superintendent Michael Duback presented the Treasurer’s Report for the month ending March 31, 2025. Revenues for the month totaled $3.1 million, while expenditures were...

Will County Board Meetings

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Frankfort Turns to County for Wildlife & Dangerous Animal Control

Will County Board Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Village of Frankfort has entered into a two-year agreement with Will County Animal Protection Services to handle calls regarding bats...
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Crete “Group Care” Home Approved for Senior Living

Will County Board Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board unanimously approved a special use permit for a senior group care home in Crete Township. The facility...
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New Bar Approved in Frankfort Despite Board Opposition

Will County Board Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board narrowly approved a special use permit for a new bar in Frankfort Township, paving the way for...
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County Takes Over “Central Will” Dial-A-Ride in Major Consolidation

Will County Board Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board approved an intergovernmental agreement to absorb the "Central Will" Dial-A-Ride system into the county-wide "Access Will County"...
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Board Denies Appeal for “Tiny Home” RV Living in Crete

Will County Board Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board voted 19-2 to uphold a denial of a temporary use permit for a recreational vehicle (RV) being...
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Will County Board Rejects Proposed Tax Hike, Approves 0% Levy Increase in Contentious Vote

Will County Board Regular Meeting | October 16, 2025 Article Summary: In a significant move providing relief to taxpayers, the Will County Board on Thursday, October 16, 2025, voted to approve...
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Green Garden’s Wildflower Farm Granted Second Extension for Rural Events Permit

Will County Board Regular Meeting | October 16, 2025 Article Summary: Bengston Land Management, LLC, operators of The Wildflower Farm in Green Garden Township, received a second 180-day extension from the...
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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...
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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...

Illinois News

State reps: Pritzker turns 'blind eye' to Chicago’s public safety crisis

State reps: Pritzker turns ‘blind eye’ to Chicago’s public safety crisis

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After Gov. J.B. Pritzker said President Donald Trump was amplifying crime in Chicago, Illinois House Republicans said...
Illinois quick hits: Medicaid coverage for parental home visits; 'Trouble in Toyland' report

Illinois quick hits: Medicaid coverage for parental home visits; ‘Trouble in Toyland’ report

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Medicaid coverage for parental home visits The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has launched new Medicaid coverage of home...
Potential data center in Illinois village raises local concerns

Potential data center in Illinois village raises local concerns

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Residents voice concerns about heavy power use, water demands and the impact of a potential data...

WATCH: Amid GOP governor candidates, Dabrowski says he knows how to fix Illinois

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Republican candidate for Illinois governor says he has the knowledge of what ails the state and...
State law helps Cook County expand immigrant legal defense fund

State law helps Cook County expand immigrant legal defense fund

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Legislation from the Illinois General Assembly has opened the door for Cook County to fund immigrants’ legal...
Illinois quick hits: Trump reacts to Chicago violence; Pritzker increases weight limit for certain vehicles

Illinois quick hits: Trump reacts to Chicago violence; Pritzker increases weight limit for certain vehicles

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Trump reacts to Chicago violence Weekend violence in Chicago’s Loop has drawn the attention of President Donald Trump. A teenager was...
WATCH: Chicago violence and no cash bail; Governor candidate Dabrowski profile

WATCH: Chicago violence and no cash bail; Governor candidate Dabrowski profile

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 reaction...
New Illinois youth center begins housing youth in Lincoln

New Illinois youth center begins housing youth in Lincoln

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) - After a short delay to finalize staffing and safety preparations, the new Monarch Center in Lincoln...
Nearly 550 truck drivers cited for not understanding English in Illinois YTD

Nearly 550 truck drivers cited for not understanding English in Illinois YTD

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The number of English language proficiency violations for commercial drivers in Illinois year-to-date has nearly eclipsed last...

National News

Ukraine agrees to preliminary peace plan; Russian strikes continue

Ukraine agrees to preliminary peace plan; Russian strikes continue

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Ukraine has agreed to a peace deal in hopes of ending the over three-year war with Russia, according to the White House. Following talks in...
Trump administration ends protected status for Burmese nationals

Trump administration ends protected status for Burmese nationals

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square The Trump administration is ending Temporary Protected Status for Burmese nationals, citing improved governance in the country and planned elections next month. The administration said...
Trump designates Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organization

Trump designates Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organization

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square President Donald Trump on Monday issued an executive order to begin the process to designate the Muslim Brotherhood a foreign terrorist organization (FTO). Trump did...
OpenAI launches teachers AI tools for classrooms

OpenAI launches teachers AI tools for classrooms

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square OpenAI has introduced a new free version of ChatGPT for teachers, as artificial intelligence continues to grow within education. The new platform offers educators a...
Federal court blocks Trump from dismantling four agencies

Federal court blocks Trump from dismantling four agencies

By Dave MasonThe Center Square A federal court has issued a permanent injunction stopping the Trump administration from dismantling four federal agencies that deal with issues varying from libraries to...
Beef prices could remain high even as Trump removes some tariffs

Beef prices could remain high even as Trump removes some tariffs

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump removed 40% tariffs on Brazilian food products, including beef, but prices could remain elevated for years as the U.S. cattle industry rebuilds....

WATCH: Supreme Court ruling next year could reshape transgender rights beyond sports

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square In seven weeks, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in two cases involving challenges to the constitutionality of laws in Idaho and West...
Federal judge tosses government lawsuits against Comey and James

Federal judge tosses government lawsuits against Comey and James

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square A federal judge ruled against the administration twice Monday, throwing out its cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia...
Duffy, FAA say Thanksgiving holiday air travel should operate smoothly

Duffy, FAA say Thanksgiving holiday air travel should operate smoothly

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As the Thanksgiving holiday travel rush begins, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is assuring air travelers that they likely will not face the mass delays and...