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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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JJC Foundation Director Kristin Mulvey to Retire After 25 Years of Transformative Leadership

Joliet Junior College Meeting | November 12, 2025 Article Summary:Kristin Mulvey, the longtime Executive Director of Institutional Advancement and the JJC Foundation, was honored by the Board of Trustees as...
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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...
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JJC Board Approves Grundy County Land Purchase Amid Heated Debate

Joliet Junior College Meeting | November 12, 2025 Article Summary:The Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees voted 6-2 to approve a real estate contract for a new campus in Grundy...
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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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JJC Board Censures Trustee Broderick Twice, Denies Request to Restore Good Standing

Joliet Junior College Meeting | November 12, 2025 Article Summary:In a series of contentious votes, the Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees censured Trustee Maureen Broderick for two separate alleged...
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Lincoln-Way 210 Receives Clean Audit, Financial Profile Score Downgraded to ‘Review’

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | November 20, 2025 Article Summary: Lincoln-Way District 210 received a clean, unmodified opinion for its Fiscal Year 2025 audit, the highest rating possible....
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JJC Receives Clean Audit, Reports $21.6 Million Increase in Net Position

Joliet Junior College Meeting | November 12, 2025 Article Summary:Joliet Junior College received a "clean unmodified audit opinion" for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, the highest level of...
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Lincoln-Way 210 to Purchase 31 Buses, Citing Major Savings Over Leasing

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | November 20, 2025 Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way District 210 Board of Education approved the purchase of 28 yellow school buses and three white...
Meeting Briefs

Manhattan School Board Honors Top Student-Athletes and Academic Achievers

Manhattan School District 114 Meeting | November 12, 2025 Article Summary:The Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education celebrated student excellence by recognizing three cross country state qualifiers and three...

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

President Trump hosts Armenia, Azerbaijan for peace treaty signing

President Trump hosts Armenia, Azerbaijan for peace treaty signing

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square President Donald Trump hosted the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan at the White House Friday to sign what is reportedly the first peace deal both...
Trump, Putin to meet next week

Trump, Putin to meet next week

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square More than three years after Russia invaded Ukraine, progress in achieving peace in the region could be on the horizon as President Donald Trump has...
Bill would codify Trump's executive order banning 'woke' debanking

Bill would codify Trump’s executive order banning ‘woke’ debanking

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square In light of President Donald Trump signing an executive order that effectively bans politically-driven debanking, a Kentucky lawmaker plans to introduce legislation codifying fair access...
'All hands on deck:' Burrow says AWOL Democrats being pursued to be arrested

‘All hands on deck:’ Burrow says AWOL Democrats being pursued to be arrested

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Speaker Dustin Burrows gaveled in the Texas House Friday and no quorum was reached after the fifth day. One hundred state representatives are needed for...
Dems say EPA cancelling $7B community solar grants 'illegal,' but ignore law

Dems say EPA cancelling $7B community solar grants ‘illegal,’ but ignore law

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The Environmental Protection Agency has announced it will claw back $7 billion in already earmarked funds from the Solar for All community grants and then...
Attorney argues IL should honor TX warrants for absconding Dems

Attorney argues IL should honor TX warrants for absconding Dems

By Greg BishopThe Center Square An Illinois state senator acting as local counsel for the Texas Republicans wanting to have that state’s warrants for absconding Democrats recognized by Illinois says...
Parental rights groups concerned over DEI in Denver teacher contract

Parental rights groups concerned over DEI in Denver teacher contract

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square As Denver Public Schools move forward with finalizing a new teacher contract, parental rights groups are raising concerns about inclusion of diversity, equity, and inclusion...
Homeland Secretary: Pritzker, Johnson are protecting dangerous criminals

Homeland Secretary: Pritzker, Johnson are protecting dangerous criminals

By Jim TalamontiThe Center Square U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have arrested criminals who would still be on the streets...
Reports: DOJ probing NY AG's fraud case against Trump

Reports: DOJ probing NY AG’s fraud case against Trump

By Chris WadeThe Center Square The Justice Department has subpoenaed New York Attorney General Letitia James as part of an investigation into whether she violated President Donald Trump's civil rights...