Police blue and red flashing light on the car in the street

Manhattan Police Report

Disclaimer: Charges against each defendant are merely an accusation, with all defendants presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. On August 2, 2025, officers responded to the...
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...
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...

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...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan Village Board for August 19, 2025

The Manhattan Village Board held a brief meeting on August 19, 2025, with the primary action being the approval to donate a surplus village truck to a local non-profit. The...
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 VB

Manhattan Village Board Donates Surplus Truck to Local Animal Rescue Ranch

Article Summary: The Manhattan Village Board has officially declared a 2007 Ford F-150 pickup truck as surplus property, unanimously voting to donate the vehicle to the Triple H Ranch, a...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan Fire Protection District Board of Trustees for July 11, 2025

At a special meeting on July 11, the Manhattan Fire Protection District Board of Trustees took decisive action to advance its new fire station project. The board moved forward with...
Ad Hoc.8.12.25.2

Citing Liability Concerns, Will County Committee Postpones Vote on Septic System Ordinance

Article Summary: The Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee postponed a vote on updating its sewer and sewage disposal ordinance after a member raised significant concerns about the county's liability...
Ad Hoc.8.12.25.1

Will County Moves to Repeal Obsolete 1972 Fire Hydrant Ordinance

Article Summary: An ordinance from 1972 regulating the placement and specifications of fire hydrants in Will County is set to be repealed after the Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee approved its...
manhattan fire district graphic logo.1

Manhattan Fire District Awards Initial Bids for New Station, Re-bids Four Items to Cut Costs

Article Summary: The Manhattan Fire Protection District board approved most construction bids for its new fire station during a special meeting, but will re-bid roofing, flooring, overhead doors, and landscaping...
WCO-Landfill-8.5.25.2

Report Finding Few Trucks Littering Sparks Debate on Cleanup Responsibility

Article Summary: A Will County report found that a very small percentage of waste-hauling trucks are the source of litter on roadways near the county landfill, sparking a debate among...

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

Plan launched to place redistricting amendment before voters in 2026

Plan launched to place redistricting amendment before voters in 2026

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Two former U.S. Cabinet members have launched a new effort to stop Illinois politicians from drawing their...
Illinois GOP U.S. Senate candidates point to economy, Trump gains

Illinois GOP U.S. Senate candidates point to economy, Trump gains

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Economic issues are front and center for Republican U.S. Senate candidates in Illinois. Former Illinois GOP Chairman...
Lawmaker criticizes $500 student board scholarships amid lowered K‑12 standards

Lawmaker criticizes $500 student board scholarships amid lowered K‑12 standards

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois student leaders serving on state higher education boards will now receive $500-per-semester scholarships under a...
Illinois news in brief: Work begins on $1.5 billion O'Hare expansion; Police catch man accused of road rage, shooting

Illinois news in brief: Work begins on $1.5 billion O’Hare expansion; Police catch man accused of road rage, shooting

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Work begins on $1.5 billion O'Hare expansion A new round of construction has begun at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. Airline...
Soaring utility bills, solar federal tax credit cuts dominate Illinois energy debate

Soaring utility bills, solar federal tax credit cuts dominate Illinois energy debate

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Energy prices and clean energy policy took center stage during a senate energy and public utilities...
Illinois quick hits: Pritzker signs crypto regulations

Illinois quick hits: Pritzker signs crypto regulations

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Pritzker signs crypto regulations Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed two laws to regulate cryptocurrency. Senate Bill 1797 requires cryptocurrency companies to...
Trucking industry leader: New law may drive business out of Illinois

Trucking industry leader: New law may drive business out of Illinois

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A trucking industry leader says more businesses may leave Illinois after the signing of Senate Bill 328....
Derailment disrupts train service for Chicago, New York, Washington, Miami

Derailment disrupts train service for Chicago, New York, Washington, Miami

By Alan Wooten | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Passenger train service involving routes to Chicago, Miami and New York is on hold because of a...
Democratic candidates focus on national politics in campaign for U.S. Senate

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...

National News

Judge denies Trump DOJ request to unseal Ghislaine Maxwell grand jury records

Judge denies Trump DOJ request to unseal Ghislaine Maxwell grand jury records

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The Trump administration is facing another setback in attempting to curb backlash over its chameleonic handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, with another federal judge...
FAA partners with college to train next generation air traffic controllers

FAA partners with college to train next generation air traffic controllers

By Ashley Olds |The Center Square To expand specialized training under the Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative, the U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced on Monday that the...
The U.S. Department of Education launches nationwide tour

The U.S. Department of Education launches nationwide tour

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The Department of Education launched a national tour this month in its continuing efforts to dismantle the agency and revert power back to the states....
Burrows: Only thing standing in the way of disaster relief are missing Democrats

Burrows: Only thing standing in the way of disaster relief are missing Democrats

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square (The Center Square ) – Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, gaveled in the Texas House on Monday, and again, no quorum was reached. Only...
Trump confirms Nvidia chip agreement

Trump confirms Nvidia chip agreement

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Nvidia will pay the United States 15% of the money it makes from selling artificial intelligence chips to China, President Donald Trump said in a...
States challenge federal report promoting coal plants

States challenge federal report promoting coal plants

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Michigan has joined a coalition of states challenging a Department of Energy report claiming the U.S. will face a significantly increased risk of power outages...
U.S. Supreme Court could rule on Texas lawsuits brought in Democratic-led state courts

U.S. Supreme Court could rule on Texas lawsuits brought in Democratic-led state courts

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square If courts in Democratic-led states don’t honor a request by the Texas House of Representatives to domesticate civil warrants for the arrest of absconding Texas...
Everyday Economics: CPI takes center stage as tariff-driven price pressures mount

Everyday Economics: CPI takes center stage as tariff-driven price pressures mount

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square The economy was already slowing, and that was before higher tariffs kicked in last week, raising import taxes to the highest level since the Great...
Net negative migration is harmful to the economy, economists say

Net negative migration is harmful to the economy, economists say

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Though the economy and immigration were issues that helped President Donald Trump secure the White House, some economists have said that too steep a decline...