Lifestyle

‘A transformative force’: Lurie Children’s Hospital breaks ground on outpatient center in Schaumburg

Six months after receiving approval, Lurie Children’s Hospital broke ground Tuesday on a new 75,000-square-foot outpatient center expected to open in Schaumburg in August 2025. The project is an expansion for Lurie in the Northwest suburbs as well as a replacement for its smaller facilities in Arlin...

St. Zachary School in Des Plaines to close after 61 years

Embrace budget-friendly gluten-free cooking with tips on naturally gluten-free foods, economical protein options, and more.

Mastering gluten-free cooking without breaking the bank

How an Aurora teacher is giving students a sense of belonging

From junior high to seniors, Schaumburg honors village’s top volunteers

Crispy oatmeal cookies are the very definition of quick, easy

Haze caused by smoke from Canadian wildfires blowing over the upper Midwest was visible along I-88 west of Elburn. The unprecedented wildfires, which scientists say are in line with the science behind global warming, pushed Chicagoland’s air quality to unhealthy levels.

Report: Chicago metro area ranks 22nd in nation for worst air quality

The Chicago metro area was named one of the worst in the nation for ozone and particle pollution by the American Lung Association in its 2024 “State of the Air” report, r...

A new restaurant by the Bien Trucha Group is coming to the corner of Front and Hale streets in downtown Wheaton.

Taco restaurant to open in Wheaton, from the family behind a toda madre

The Bien Trucha restaurant group is developing an entirely new concept in downtown Wheaton. “This is going to be our first fast-casual restaurant,” Julio Cano said. “We've been planning this since before COVID.”

This is a clay model of a sculpture planned for Mundelein’s Courtland Commons park, with a rendered figure of an adult man next to it for scale.

New interactive sculpture commissioned for Mundelein park

A large, interactive sculpture of an upturned, oversized hand is coming to Mundelein’s Courtland Commons park. The village board on Monday voted to hire Kentucky artist M...

The Danada House and Atrium is undergoing renovations and repairs after years of use as a wedding and event venue on the grounds of the former Dan and Ada Rice estate in Wheaton.

How renovations will help protect Danada House’s history while safeguarding its future

Nearly 60 years after their racehorse won the Kentucky Derby, the Dan and Ada Rice home is undergoing extensive renovations, and a series of surrounding gardens will be revitalized on the grounds of the couple's former estate near Wheaton.

Brian Mertel poses in his business, Garden Dojo in Barrington, which offers karate training for ages 4 and up.

Olympic coach teaching new generation of karate kids, adults in Barrington

If you want Olympic-style karate training, travel no farther than Barrington. Brian Mertel, who coached one of the athletes in the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, recently opened The Garden Dojo.

Kyle Henkel, the new principal of River Trails Middle School.

Neighbors in the News: River Trails Middle School names new principal

The River Trails School District 26 Board of Education appointed Kyle Henkel as principal of River Trails Middle School.

Made with plenty of sweet, ripe bananas, whole-wheat flour and healthy oil, these Banana Pecan Muffins are fragrant with cinnamon and vanilla, and have a hearty pecan crunch.

These banana pecan muffins are a naturally sweet start to your day

These tender, fragrant banana muffins offer a cakelike experience that is nourishing, too. Made with plenty of sweet, ripe bananas, whole-wheat flour and healthy oil, they’re fragrant with cinnamon and vanilla, and have a hearty pecan crunch.