advertisement
A snowball fight, jumping jacks and dance routines were all part of the Chicago Snowballs “sportstainment” experience last Sunday at Wintrust Field in Schaumburg. And that was just the pregame show. (Karie Angell Luc/for the Daily Herald)

No second bananas: How Chicago Snowballs combine baseball with a ‘traveling circus’ show

The Chicago Snowballs, a new baseball team inspired by the Savannah Bananas, is bringing “sportstainment” to stadiums throughout the Midwest with a unique blend of baseball, choreographed dance routines, circus acts and comedy.

Former West Chicago elementary school teacher charged with sexually abusing students

A former West Chicago elementary school teacher is facing 11 felonies after being accused of having inappropriate sexual contact with multiple students, authorities announced Friday.

2003 murder of Tyesha Bell solved; man sentenced to 70 years

A Yorkville man was sentenced Friday to 70 years in prison for the murder of an Aurora woman 23 years ago.

Illinois Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders speaks at the Governor’s Mansion in Springfield in March 2026. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jenna Schweikert)

School funding stretched thin as costs rise, corporate revenue source shrinks

The Illinois State Board of Education released details Friday of how it will distribute $9.3 billion in Evidence-Based Funding to public schools for the upcoming academic year. That’s a $350 million increase above last year’s funding. But it is not enough to keep pace with rising costs and declining revenue from certain corporate and business taxes.

The new Hollywood Casino in Aurora on June 24. (Brian Hill/Daily Herald)

Business booms for Hollywood Casino Aurora during first full month at new $360 million facility

Hollywood Casino Aurora hit the jackpot during its first full month at its glitzy $360 million land-based entertainment complex, making huge gains in both revenue and admissions. The former riverboat operator generated $17.4 million in revenue, welcomed nearly 156,000 visitors and catapulted to No. 3 among the state’s 17 casinos in July, according to monthly data released Friday by the Illinois Gaming Board.

The Carpentersville Police Department needs to move out of village hall for 16 months while the building is renovated and an addition is constructed. (Gloria Casas/The Courier-News)

Carpentersville police gearing up for move so village hall construction can start

Carpentersville police will be packing up everything including case reports, evidence and guns as they prepare to move into a temporary location before the start of a $38 million renovation and expansion of village hall.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, right, is joined by Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Ambassador Michael C. Gonzales, left, Wednesday during a news conference at the Department of Justice in Washington. (Rod Lamkey, Jr./AP)

Todd Blanche narrowly confirmed as Trump’s attorney general in overnight vote

The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general in a vote early Saturday morning, cementing President Donald Trump’s former personal attorney’s command of a Justice Department the Republican president has sought to bend to his will.

A driver pilots the Alcoholic Haze tractor to a pull on the final day of the 2025 McHenry County Fair in Woodstock on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025. This year’s fair runs through Sunday, Aug. 9. (Patrick Kunzer/for the Daily Herald)

Things to do Aug. 7-13: McHenry County Fair, Smoke & Irons Music Fest, Warrenville Summer Daze and more

Mark your calendar for McHenry County Fair, Warrenville Summer Daze, Smoke and Irons Music Fest, Jamboree Days, Gurnee Days, Hampshire Coon Creek Country Days and more.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
 

Choose a video to watch