Signs supporting Geneva teachers along Kaneville Road this fall. According to the Geneva school district, the Geneva Education Association declared contract talks at an impasse, but was eventually able to reach an agreement for a new three-year contract the night before a scheduled strike.

Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

McHenry County State's Attorney Louis Bianchi was twice acquitted on misconduct charges in 2011 and is now suing two special prosecutors in federal court. He accuses them of violating his civil rights and of intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Bill Zars | Staff Photographer

Construction continues on a full interchange at Route 47 and the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway in Huntley. The $61 million project is expected to be completed by November 2013.

Christopher Hankins | Staff Photographer

The Batavia City Council Monday granted permission for a double-lane drive-up once the current McDonald's at 125 W. Wilson St. is replaced.

Susan Sarkauskas | Staff Photographer

Community Unit District 300 teachers walk the picket line outside district headquarters after the teachers union went on strike Dec. 4. The strike only lasted for a day and teachers were able to ink a tentative agreement with the school district.

Christopher Hankins | Staff Photographer

This 21-year-old Wal-Mart in East Dundee at Route 25 just south of Route 72 will be history after Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. builds a super center in neighboring Carpentersville by 2015.

Patrick Kunzer | Staff Photographer

A rendering of the 128-bed hospital Centegra Health System will start building in Huntley. The hospital will be completed in 2016 and create about 1,100 jobs.

Courtesy of Centegra Health System

Construction has finally resumed at Riverside Plaza on the corner of routes 62 and 31 in Algonquin. The new plan is to turn it into a downtown condo project with rentals.

Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

About this Article

Money issues continued to dominate the headlines in 2012 and showed themselves in different forms. There was a teacher strike in Community Unit District 300, the threat of teacher strikes elsewhere, new taxes in Elgin, investment in Huntley in the form of a new hospital and interchange and Wal-Mart's looming withdrawal from East Dundee.