Education
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...
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...
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: 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 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...
Lincoln Way District 210 Approves $2.1 Million Budget Amendment, Maintains Strong Financial Position
Lincoln Way Community High School District 210 board members unanimously approved an amended fiscal year 2025 budget Thursday night that increases the district's operating surplus to $2.1 million while maintaining...
JJC’s ‘12x12x12’ Initiative Boosts College Credits, Increases Matriculation Rate
Joliet Junior College’s ambitious "12x12x12" initiative is yielding significant results, leading to more high school students earning college credits and a greater percentage of them choosing to attend JJC after...
District 210 Approves Administrative Restructuring, Staff Salary Increases
Lincoln Way Community High School District 210 board members approved administrative restructuring and salary increases for non-union clerical support staff during closed session actions Thursday night. The board unanimously approved...
Will County Board Meetings
Executive Committee June 12 Meeting Briefs
Property Purchase Approved: The county authorized purchase of two parcels along Governor's Highway in Monee for $545,000 to establish a roadway maintenance facility for the eastern end of the county....
Will County to Draft New Harassment Policy Amid Debate Over Board Authority
The Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee will draft a new, county-wide general harassment policy after a lengthy debate on Tuesday revealed the complexities of the county’s legal obligations and...
Committee Uncovers Gaps in County Asset Tracking, Calls for Better System
A review of Will County’s fiscal policies on Tuesday highlighted significant gaps in how the county tracks its physical assets, from office furniture to squad cars, prompting calls from the...
In Brief: Ordinance Review Committee Actions
The Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee met June 10 to continue its comprehensive update of the county code. Here are some of the key actions and discussions: Court Fees...
Will County Jail Faces Major Staffing Crisis as 70 Employees Eligible to Retire by 2030
County officials warn of potential budget impact as adult detention facility grapples with unprecedented turnover Will County's adult detention facility is heading toward a staffing crisis that could significantly impact...
Will County Health Department Reports Sharp Decline in Overdose Deaths
2025 fatalities running 40% lower than previous year, officials attribute success to expanded Narcan distribution Will County is experiencing a significant reduction in overdose deaths, with 2025 fatalities running 40%...
Solar Project Extensions Approved as Industry Faces Permitting Delays
Three solar energy projects received 180-day extensions from Will County's Land Use & Development Committee Thursday as developers continue working through lengthy permitting processes with utility companies and other agencies....
Committee Approves Truck Terminal Despite Residential Concerns
A Monee Township truck terminal received approval from Will County's Land Use & Development Committee Thursday despite concerns about its proximity to residential areas. The committee voted 5-1 to approve...
Will County Health Department Faces Funding Uncertainty as Federal Grants Under Review
Multiple revenue sources threatened as department seeks legislative support for public health programs Will County Health Department officials are closely monitoring potential federal funding cuts that could impact multiple programs...
Illinois News
Democratic candidates focus on national politics in campaign for U.S. Senate
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois’ Democratic Party candidates for U.S. Senate have focused their campaigns on opposition to Republicans and President...
Chicago posts fewest homicides since 2016, arrests rate also declines
By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois state Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, studies Chicago’s somewhat mixed-bag crime trend data with little question...
Illinois quick hits: Prosecutors charge two more in Tren de Aragua case; Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee meets today; Illinois Little League team loses in World Series
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Prosecutors charge two more in Tren de Aragua case State prosecutors have charged two more migrants as part of an investigation...
Illinois takes over health insurance marketplace in 2026 amid skepticism
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois will fully take over operation of its health insurance marketplace in 2026, moving away from...
WATCH: IL state reps challenge IEMA-OHS responses to local agencies
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security officials are promising to be more responsive to...
Illinois quick hits: ‘Lawsuit inferno’ bill takes effect after Pritzker signed 267 measures Friday
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square 'Lawsuit inferno' bill takes effect Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation which led the American Tort Reform Association to label Illinois...
State defends gun ban district court ruled unconstitutional
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) − Ahead of oral arguments over Illinois’ gun ban in the federal appeals court, attorneys for the state...
National News
Arizona Chamber praises new interstate natural gas pipeline
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry is excited about the future, thanks to a deal between state utilities and Transwestern Pipeline Co. The company...
Dems oppose Trump’s bid to end mail-in ballots, voting machines
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Casting a ballot may look different for millions of American voters in the 2026 midterm elections if Republican-led states follow President Donald Trump’s wish to...
After two weeks fleeing Texas, House Democrats return, quorum reached
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square After two weeks fleeing the state, many Texas House Democrats returned, and a quorum was reached on Monday. More than two dozen Democrats still didn’t...
Trump: Zelenskyy could end Russia-Ukraine war ‘if he wants to’
By Caroline BodaThe Center Square Ahead of the summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders in Washington on Monday, President Donald Trump said Ukraine should give up...
$750 million facility to protect Texas cattle, wildlife from screwworm threat
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Responding to calls by state lawmakers and the agricultural industry for immediate action to be taken to protect cattle and wildlife from a parasitic fly,...
Three years later, Inflation Reduction Act blamed for higher Medicare costs
By Tom JoyceThe Center Square This past weekend marked the third anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law by former President Joe Biden in 2022. While the law...
Report: Human Rights Campaign pressures transgender procedures on minors
By Tate MillerThe Center Square (By Tate Miller) – The Human Rights Campaign pressures children’s hospitals into performing transgender procedures on minors, according to a Do No Harm report. Do...
