Local News

Vaughn's Kitchen is Rep. Jackie Haas' Local Business Spotlight for March. –Photo submitted.

Vaughn’s Kitchen 79th District’s March Local Business Spotlight

For the March Local Business Spotlight, State Rep. Jackie Haas recognized a local Bourbonnais business. She presented a certificate to owners Joshua Vaughn and Catherine Hilgeman to recognize this small business’ importance in the community. “Nothing says home like good food made by our neighbors,” said Rep. Haas. “Vaughn’s Kitchen serves famous Alfredo and Alfredo…

Crete Public Library

Crete Library News

Thursday, March 16 Primetime for Preschool, from 1 – 2 p.m., ages four/five: During this independent storytime experience, children spend time with other preschoolers, while enjoying stories, songs, finger plays, games, and learning stations. Register. STEAM Kids – Rainbow Revelries, from 6 – 7 p.m., grades K/second: Join the group to make your own rainbow,…

Crete Area Chamber of Commerce

Crete Area Chamber February Meeting Highlights

Create Area Chamber of Commerce met on February 8, with seven members present. Items discussed by members included: Membership renewals, with a current target goal of 100 members. A gift card drawing incentive was approved, if members renewed by March 10; Preparations for Cruise Nights has begun, with discussion on the effects of construction at…

LSF LETTERHEAD Outlined Red Blue

Will County Board Approves Election Judge Pay Increase

Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry announced the Will County Board recently approved her request to immediately raise the salaries of election judges, starting with the 2023 Consolidated Election. The base pay for working on Election Day will jump to $200 from $150 for trained election judges. “Our election judges provide an incredibly important service…

Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry poses with one of eight Vote by Mail drop boxes that will be deployed during the November Presidential Election.

Will County Early Voting Expands to 25 Locations

Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry reminds voters Early Voting for the April 4 Consolidated Election expanded to 25 locations across Will County on Monday, March 20. Early Voting at the Will County Clerk’s Office, 302 N. Chicago Street in downtown Joliet, also continues through Monday, April 3. Hours for Early Voting vary, depending upon…

Crete-Monee School Board Candidate: William Sawallisch Jr.

Name: William Sawallisch Jr Home Address/years in the school district: 6924 Trisha Court, Monee / 22+ years in the School District Subdistrict you reside in: I am in Sub-District 1 Community Involvement: I have been the Monee Youth Baseball & Softball President, I was the Crete-Monee High School Athletic Booster President & Member for 8…

Political badge collection

Crete-Monee School Board Candidate: Jeanine Galbraith

I’m Jeanine Galbraith and I’m running for re-election as the District 4 CM201-U School Board member. I have lived in Crete for 31 years and have been married to my husband, Bill, for 37 years. I am retired from the Chicago Tribune after 40 years of service. I am a member of Crete Woman’s Club.…

Political badge collection

Crete-Monee School Board Candidate: Alejandro ‘Alex’ Gallegos

Name: Alejandro “Alex” Gallegos Home Address/years in the school district: Crete, Illinois; 3 years Subdistrict you reside in: 4 Community Involvement: I’m an involved community member who has attended park district board meetings, village board meetings, school board meetings, and more over the last couple of years to learn more about how our local government…

Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant swore in members of the Will County Community Mental Health Board at their first meeting. The newly created board is tasked with evaluating mental health services in Will County. –Photo submitted.

County Mental Health Board Holds First Meeting

Newly created board elects first president and secretary; establishes bylaws. The Will County Community Mental Health Board held their first meeting to elect officers and establish bylaws. This marks the first key step for the newly created board to establish their plan to evaluate and improve community mental health services in Will County, including the…

Vedette logo

Crete Township to Address Community Center at Annual Town Meeting April 11

The Crete Township Annual Town Meeting will be held at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 11, at the New Star Building, 25930 S. Cottage Grove Avenue in Crete. New Star Building During a Special Town Meeting on June 29, 2021, Crete Township electors voted in favor of authorizing the Township Board to purchase and improve the…

Rep Haas

Leader Haas Promotes Preparation for Severe Weather

As March 6 through 10 was Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Illinois, Assistant House Minority Leader Jackie Haas (R-Kankakee) promoted preparation and being ready for when severe weather strikes in the 79th District. “The 79th District includes Chicago southland, farmland, and big towns, like Kankakee and Bourbonnais, but we all need to be prepared for…

Crete Public Library

Crete Library News

Thursday, March 16 Primetime for Preschool, from 1 – 2 p.m., ages four/five: During this independent storytime experience, children spend time with other preschoolers, while listening to stories and enjoying songs, finger plays, games, and learning stations. Register. STEAM Kids – Rainbow Revelries, from 6 – 7 p.m., grades K/second: Join friends and experiment with…

National News

House Freedom Caucus hits back after White House comments, pledges spending cuts

House Freedom Caucus hits back after White House comments, pledges spending cuts

Former ComEd attorney points to political pressure in bribery case

Former ComEd attorney points to political pressure in bribery case

DEA issues public alert on fentanyl mixed with Xylazine

DEA issues public alert on fentanyl mixed with Xylazine

U.S. border data: 284 suspected terrorists apprehended so far in fiscal 2023

U.S. border data: 284 suspected terrorists apprehended so far in fiscal 2023

Federal Reserve rate hike is 9th since March 2022

Federal Reserve rate hike is 9th since March 2022

Supreme Court rules deaf Michigan student can sue school for damages

Supreme Court rules deaf Michigan student can sue school for damages

Oil and Gas groups rally around Republican energy bill

Oil and Gas groups rally around Republican energy bill

In bribery case, prosecutors shift focus to former utility leader

In bribery case, prosecutors shift focus to former utility leader

House committee demands answers from Mayorkas on catch-and-release policies

House committee demands answers from Mayorkas on catch-and-release policies

Personal data of 254K Medicare beneficiaries at risk after breach

Personal data of 254K Medicare beneficiaries at risk after breach

Poll: 73% of taxpayers say government doesn’t use their taxes wisely

Poll: 73% of taxpayers say government doesn’t use their taxes wisely

Lawmaker says speaker called shots on $1.8 billion ComEd legislation

Lawmaker says speaker called shots on $1.8 billion ComEd legislation

Janet Yellen says more bank bailouts could be coming

Janet Yellen says more bank bailouts could be coming

Three years after start of pandemic, Americans divided on whether it remains a crisis

Three years after start of pandemic, Americans divided on whether it remains a crisis

Area News

World Business Chicago Awards Ceremony. –Photo submitted.

World Business Chicago Honors Companies Driving Growth, Innovation

World Business Chicago, the city’s economic development agency, is proud to announce the recipients of the prestigious pro-Chicagoland decisions, FDI Trailblazer, Impact Maker, Up-and-Coming Innovator, Community Impact, and Innovation Champion Awards for 2022. These companies were honored at an event held recently at The Terminal in Humboldt Park, following an historic announcement by “Site Selection”…

Vedette logo

Will County’s Options For Old County Courthouse Limited

By Stephen Nelson At its Thursday, March 16, meeting, the Will County Board learned of a host of legal restrictions to any reuse of the old Will County Courthouse building. The board already has authorized significant funding to study the cost of demolition. In a memo from the office of Will County State’s Attorney James…

LSF LETTERHEAD Outlined Red Blue

Will County Board Approves Election Judge Pay Increase

Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry announced the Will County Board recently approved her request to immediately raise the salaries of election judges, starting with the 2023 Consolidated Election. The base pay for working on Election Day will jump to $200 from $150 for trained election judges. “Our election judges provide an incredibly important service…

Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry poses with one of eight Vote by Mail drop boxes that will be deployed during the November Presidential Election.

Will County Early Voting Expands to 25 Locations

Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry reminds voters Early Voting for the April 4 Consolidated Election expanded to 25 locations across Will County on Monday, March 20. Early Voting at the Will County Clerk’s Office, 302 N. Chicago Street in downtown Joliet, also continues through Monday, April 3. Hours for Early Voting vary, depending upon…

Will County State's Attorney Glasgow logo

Vieni Found Guilty of Aggravated Battery, Domestic Violence Against Senior Citizen

Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced a jury found Nicole Vieni, 36, of Chicago, guilty of aggravated battery of a senior citizen (Class 3 Felony), domestic violence (Class A Misdemeanor), and interfering with reporting eomestic violence (Class A Misdemeanor). The jury reached its verdict recently following a trial over which Circuit Judge John Connor…

JJC logo

JJC Hires New Bowling Coach

The Joliet Junior College Athletic Department is pleased to announce Jeff Bailey as the Wolves’ first men’s and women’s bowling coach. JJC will begin competitive bowling with the 2023-24 school year. Bailey, a Joliet native, brings a wealth of experience and success to the Wolves program. He has coached high school bowling in Illinois for…

Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant swore in members of the Will County Community Mental Health Board at their first meeting. The newly created board is tasked with evaluating mental health services in Will County. –Photo submitted.

County Mental Health Board Holds First Meeting

Newly created board elects first president and secretary; establishes bylaws. The Will County Community Mental Health Board held their first meeting to elect officers and establish bylaws. This marks the first key step for the newly created board to establish their plan to evaluate and improve community mental health services in Will County, including the…

Political badge collection

Voter Registration Deadlines Approaching Quickly; Options Still Available!

Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry encourages all eligible Will County residents to register to vote for the upcoming Consolidated Election and reminds everyone registration deadlines rapidly are approaching. The last day to register to vote in person or by mail was March 7, but online registration is open through Sunday, March 19. The Will…

Will County's Dr. Kathleen Burke was named to the nationwide Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing. –Photo submitted.

Health Department’s Dr. Burke Named to Nationwide Mental Health/Wellbeing Commission

The National Association of Counties (NACo) announced 14 county leaders have been appointed to the new commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing, including Will County Health Department’s Dr. Kathleen Burke. The group, unveiled at NACo’s Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., is tasked with leading the development of policy and programmatic recommendations at the federal, state,…

Daylight Saving Time (DST). Blue sky with white clouds and clock. Turn time forward (+1h).

It’s Time to Spring Ahead!

Daylight Savings Time will return to the area at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 12. Before retiring on Saturday, be sure to advance clocks one hour ahead. It’s also a great time to check batteries in fire and carbon monoxide detectors.