Florida joins Texas, Kentucky and Illinois in alarming new travel trend for 2025

Florida is facing a dip in its tourism this year due to economic uncertainty(Image: Getty Images) Tourism across the country is plummeting in certain states due to rising costs, economic uncertainty, and destination travel competition. This stark...

Jim Dey | Campaign cash is big name of game in Illinois politics

In political lingo, 2025 is an off year. It’s 2026 that’s an on year, when most state and federal officials seek office. But in the cutthroat world of political fundraising, every year is an on year. After all, money is the mother’s milk of...

Edison Elementary gets new principal; Larry Joynt is passionate about education

October 22, 2025 1:22 pm Views: 1 FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing Larry Joynt has been named the new principal at Edison Elementary School in District 205, and welcomes the opportunity to build relationships...

Drug kingpin Larry Hoover asks Gov. JB Pritzker for freedom

Since President Donald Trump commuted his federal life prison sentence five months ago, Gangster Disciples co-founder Larry Hoover has had three heart attacks and remains imprisoned in “extreme” conditions in Colorado, his lawyers say. Now, Hoover...

Conversation series deepens Brown’s culture of inquiry as part of Discovery Through Dialogue

“We should all enter into a conversation humbly, acknowledging that we have something to learn,” Guterl said. “If any of us are just there to dish out enlightenment, we aren’t doing the ‘discovery’ or the ‘dialogue’ parts as effectively as we...

Another forum, another poll for Evanston’s congressional race

Sign up for our free newsletters to have Evanston news delivered directly to your inbox! A baker’s dozen candidates for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District sat for a forum at Oakton College’s Skokie campus Tuesday night, the same day as one...

ESPN Playoff Predictor updates Big Ten teams in CFP race after Week 8

We are still a couple of weeks away from the first College Football Playoff being revealed, and even further out until the CFP field is completely set. But, it's never too early to stay on top of where things stand, and being that we follow Ohio...

Vandalia Board of Education Meeting Held

DEBORAH SIMCOX Correspondent The regular Vandalia Community Unit District #203 was held and these items on the Consent Agenda were approved: -Minutes of the Budget Hearing and the regular BOE Meeting on September 18, 2025, -Financial Reports &...

WATCH: Illinois House’s Halloween Decor Goes Viral For Epic Movie Tribute

A Chicago suburb house is getting the attention this October. A home in Park Ridge, Illinois is picking up traction online because of it's unique Halloween decor theme. There are a lot of approaches to Halloween decor this year, from a family's...

Boston No Kings Day protest welcomes differing opinions, education, and creative resistance

Thousands of protesters, dressed in colorful outfits and inflatable costumes, a new symbol of farcical opposition to President Donald Trump, headed toward the festival grounds on Boston Common for a No Kings Day protest Saturday. There they were...

Illinois Wesleyan's Adriana Crabtree sets CCIW record with fourth straight weekly honor

Illinois Wesleyan University senior Adriana Crabtree has been named the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Student-Athlete of the Week in women’s cross country for the fourth consecutive time. This recognition marks a first in CCIW...

IL Illegal Alien Arrest Series: Mexican cocaine offender arrested by ICE in Chicago

Juan Jose Sanchez-Contreras, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico | U.S. Dept. of Homeland SecurityJuan Jose Sanchez-Contreras, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico | U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security Juan Jose Sanchez-Contreras, a criminal illegal...

ICE agents in Illinois warned against illegally swapping license plates: 'No one is above the law'

CHICAGO - Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is warning federal immigration agents that swapping or altering license plates during the Trump administration's enforcement operations is against the law and "will not be tolerated." What we...

Illinois requires Climate Education in Schools. Now Teachers Plan How.

"It’s the seventh state to pass a law requiring climate education in public schools. The requirement will kick in next fall." "Last year, Laura Stamp asked her eighth-grade students a thought-provoking question: If they could redesign their city,...

Empower Illinoisans affected by breast cancer and reduce stigma with your purchase of a 7X Bingo Multiplier Instant Ticket from the Illinois Lottery 

You could call it the Instant Ticket that started it all. In 2006, the Illinois Lottery launched the Ticket for the Cure (TFTC), the first-ever specialty lottery ticket in the United States that dedicated 100 percent of profits to breast cancer...

‘Chicago P.D.’: Patrick John Flueger’s Unexpected Absence From Show Explained

Chicago P.D. is down a cast member as Patrick John Flueger is taking a sudden leave of absence from the show to deal with a personal matter. As first reported by Deadline, Flueger, who plays Adam Ruzek on the hit NBC police drama, has temporarily...

Giannoulias warns ICE agents against illegal license plate swaps in Illinois: 'No one is above the law'

CHICAGO - Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is warning federal immigration agents that swapping or altering license plates during the Trump administration's enforcement operations is against the law and "will not be tolerated." What we...

Queer designer’s pop-up among Chicago Fashion Week events 

Chicago Fashion Week took place Oct. 9-19 at various venues around the city and nearby suburbs. Starting with a VIP launch party, just a few of the highlights included “Denim After Dark.” at Loft 22; “Mayan Textiles: Art, Tradition, and...

'Chicago P.D.' star Patrick John Flueger takes hiatus from drama; cites 'personal issues'

Patrick John Flueger, the ‘Chicago P.D.’ star who plays Officer Adam Rezuk, takes a hiatus from the renowned drama, citing personal issues. The 41-year-old actor reportedly has been going through a difficult time, with an instance of alcohol use...

IL Illegal Alien Arrest Series: Mexico assault offender arrested by ICE in Chicago

Martin Guereca-Martinez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico | U.S. Department of Homeland SecurityMartin Guereca-Martinez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico | U.S. Department of Homeland Security Martin Guereca-Martinez, a criminal illegal...