Photos: The month of February in the suburbs
Cold weather gave way to warm sunshine for a few days before winter came back and Daily Herald photographers worked through it to bring you the best moments from around the suburbs of Chicago.
An Elgin Community College Police Officers makes his rounds during the Illinois FIRST LEGO League Challenge State Robotics Championship at Elgin Community College Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026 in Elgin.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
The Olympic flag during the opening ceremony of the Norge Ski Jump 121st Annual Winter Tournament on Feb. 1, 2026 at the Norge Ski Club in Fox River Grove.
Karie Angell Luc/for the Daily Herald
Carpentersville resident Austin Eisenhauer enjoys Monday’s nice weather with lunch and a lake view at Rotary Park on Klasen Road in Cary. Eisenhauer, who was on break from his Crystal Lake job, also took a walk on the park’s trails after eating.
Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com
Elgin High School students hold a walkout and march Wednesday in protest of federal immigration enforcement.
Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com
Stacy Iwanicki, natural resources coordinator and naturalist for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources will be retiring after her 39-year-career at the Volo Bog State Natural Area in Ingleside.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Team Titan of Buffalo Grove, including San Nimballi, from left, Sohan Vemula and Bala Vadhiwani react to their round during the Illinois FIRST LEGO League Challenge State Robotics Championship at Elgin Community College Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026 in Elgin.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Team Barnstormers, at top, and Team Infinite Robotic 96 of Buffalo Grove compete during the Illinois FIRST LEGO League Challenge State Robotics Championship at Elgin Community College Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026 in Elgin.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Some of the new Ford vehicles on display during the 2026 Chicago Auto Show Friday, Feb. 6, 2026 at McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Abbie Knoepfler of Elgin and her daughter Olivia Burns, 9, give kisses to one of the rescue dogs available for adoption at the SAINRescue.org doggie kissing booth at Yorktown Center Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026 in Lombard.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Scenes from the Norge Ski Jump 121st Annual Winter Tournament on Feb. 1, 2026 at the Norge Ski Club in Fox River Grove.
Karie Angell Luc/for the Daily Herald
Lisa Smorczewski, a second grade teacher at Westgate Elementary School, is receiving an Arlington Heights Hearts of Gold award this month.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Runners begin the Geneva Park District Super Shuffle at Geneva Middle School South on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026.
Patrick Kunzer/ for the Daily Herald
A man takes a photo of a video board outside at a public gathering to show support for tax break legislation that could bring the Chicago Bears to Arlington Heights, on Wednesday, Feb, 11, 2026 at the DoulbleTree Arlington Heights on Algonquin Rd.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Rolling Meadows Mayor Lara Sanoica laughs with friends after a public gathering to show support for tax break legislation that could bring the Chicago Bears to Arlington Heights, on Wednesday, Feb, 11, 2026 at the DoulbleTree Arlington Heights.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia shakes hands with Schaumburg Mayor Tom Dailly at a public gathering to show support for tax break legislation that could bring the Chicago Bears to Arlington Heights, on Wednesday, Feb, 11, 2026 at the DoubleTree Arlington Heights hotel.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Adrian Plante, of Wood Urban Design Group is salvaging White Oak lumber from some of the largest trees removed on a development site at Route 176 just east of Route 12, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026 in Wauconda. The salvaged wood will eventually be used for conference tables and heirloom furniture.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Chuck and Agnes Fruehe, who are celebrating 71 years of marriage, Share a laugh while getting their photo taken. The Fruehes were one of eight couples to renew their wedding vows Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 at Hearthwood Senior Living in Bartlett. Combined, these couples represent more than 471 years of marriage.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Fr. Matt Nathan works with the adult dance ensemble at St. Pius X Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026 in Lombard.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
A person gracefully slides or drifts around a corner riding an "ice motorcycle" on a small frozen pond Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026 in Mount Prospect. According to American Motorcyclist riding a motorcycle on ice seems like it would be impossible, but after you add a few-hundred traction screws to the front and rear tires, you’ll experience traction levels as good as the best dirt or even asphalt tracks. Racers compete on plowed courses that are either oval-style, like a flat track, or grand-prix style with right and left turns of all shapes and sizes.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Hannah Bertram, 6, of Kenosha, Wis., makes a jump with a hobby horse during the SOUL Kisses 4 Valentine's Day event at SOUL Harbour Ranch on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026 in Barrington. Her grandmother, who lives in Prospect Heights, is a volunteer at the ranch.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Heather Scott, of Hoffman Estates plants a kiss on a miniature horse named “Charmer” at the kissing booth during the SOUL Kisses 4 Valentine's Day event at SOUL Harbour Ranch on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026 in Barrington.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Linda Ray of Barrington, cheers on her nephew and Glen Ellyn native Ethan Cepuran as he competes in the Men's Speed Skating Team Pursuit Quarter Finals during a special watch party on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026 at the Glen Ellyn Historical Society in Glen Ellyn for local Olympic speed skaters competing in the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy. Sarah Warren of Willowbrook also competed in the Women's 500 meter Speed Skating finals.
Ryan Rayburn / for the Daily Herald
Students watch flames engulf last year’s palm fronds during a palm burning service on the eve of Ash Wednesday at St. Theresa Catholic School in Palatine on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Helena Katsikaris fills a paczki order at Jarosch Bakery Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 in Elk Grove.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Volunteers distribute boxes of food at the ICNA Relief Community Resource Center, at 1698 Bloomingdale Road, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 in Glendale Heights. The group is continuing its annual Ramadan Food Box Distribution to support families experiencing food insecurity. The organization expects to distribute roughly 35,000 food boxes this year.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Eucharistic Minister Kathy Casterton of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Elk Grove Village takes time to pray with a driver as they distributed ashes at a community drive-up event Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 in Elk Grove.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Deputy Chief David Bradnwein, left, and Chief William Nord talk with residents at a Community Resource & Services Forum at Falcon Park on Hicks Rd. in Palatine on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Angela Tam, founding Artistic Director of Yin He Dance teaches children during the Dance to China: Lunar New Year Celebration Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 at the Vernon Area Public Library in Lincolnshire.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Mara Chua-Briglia of Annie’s Restaurant and Pancake House offers a sample as part of The 4th Annual Great Chili Cook Off of Palatine at the Tap House Grill Palatine on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026.
Patrick Kunzer/ for the Daily Herald
Rick Koebernick of the Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce prepares to sample an offering from Annie’s Restaurant and Pancake House as part of The 4th Annual Great Chili Cook Off of Palatine at the Tap House Grill Palatine on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026.
Patrick Kunzer/ for the Daily Herald
The tiny shadow of a worker is cast in the parking area of industrial equipment, including boom lifts, at Illinois Lift Equipment along Industrial Drive in Cary. The company’s website says they sell new and used forklifts, scissor lifts, boom lifts and provide rentals, service and part sales. The company states more than 1000 used forklifts are in stock.
Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com
Firefighter Brandon Lefebvre places a wreath during the Palatine Fire Department's ceremony Monday for volunteer firefighters John Wilson, Richard Freeman, and Warren Ahlgrim. The men lost their lives fighting a fire at the Ben Franklin store in 1973.
Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com
IDOT will begin replacing the Rand Road Bridge over the Des Plaines River in Des Plaines next month. The two-phase, roughly $18 million project includes roadway reconstruction and widening, traffic signal modernization, drainage improvements, lighting improvements, water main improvements, and construction of a new multi-use path and landscaping between Ballard Road and Elk Boulevard in Des Plaines.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com