advertisement

Images: Our best photos of 2020

2020 was a year like no other. Check out the best photos of 2020 from the Daily Herald photography staff.

  Illinois National Guard Kimmons Davis, 24, of Chicago watches as a test subject swaps his nose in a makeshift tent located in the Rolling Meadows High School parking lot. They are preparing to handle several thousand people who will be flowing through for free COVID-19 testing over the next several days. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Abby Wellman receives the first diploma passed out by principal Tom Koulentes during Libertyville High School's Class of 2020 drive-through graduation ceremony at the school Sunday. Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com
  Large kites are flown at Gallery Park at The Glen in Glenview Saturday. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  The Comet NEOWISE is seen in the sky shortly after sunset from an old farm at Fremont Center and Erhart roads near Mundelein. The comet was discovered on March 27, 2020 by NASA's Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) mission. The comet is said to be 3.1 miles across and won't be seen again for another 6,800 years. It can be seen near the Big Dipper and will start to fade at the end of this week. Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com
  Family and friends watch and photograph as Associate Judge Beth Sexton performs a Valentine's Day wedding for Roberto “Jose” Rodriguez and Melanie Dziabula both of Bensenville at the DuPage County Courthouse in Wheaton Friday. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  Lucas Blanco, 6, flies through a tunnel of love that included his parents, Francisco Blanco and Sandy Melchor with his classmates celebrating his last chemotherapy session for the treatment of Leukemia at the Washington Early Learning Center in Mundelein. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  A mourner salutes Vietnam veteran John James Murphy, who died last month after living since 2017 at River View Rehab Center in Elgin. Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com
  Groomer Erica Blankenship comforts a nervous cockapoo as she trims its fur at the Original Dog Barber in Arlington Heights Friday. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Lombard's Madison Elementary Teacher Ryan Kuehne dresses up as the school mascot and dances as he uses the computer to record himself for the “Some Good News” weekly video he puts together with other teachers to keep the students connected and staying positive. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  In a sea of cars filled with Dundee-Crown graduates and their families Jack Searles, 18, of West Dundee has his pictures taken by a family member before the start of their graduation in the parking lot at the Sears Centre on Friday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Konnie Kay Sherry of St. Charles shows off the new lighting Friday. Through an agreement with the St. Charles Park District, the Norris Cultural Arts Center designed and installed theatrical lighting and sound systems in the Baker Center's auditorium, creating a new venue in a 95-year-old historical building in downtown St. Charles. The project is a gift to the community from the Norris Cultural Arts Center, and provides a second venue for Norris-produced events. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  Rolling Meadows High School gathers 1,200 people in the school gym to send a card stunt message, including a heart with a “10” inside, to Super Bowl quarterback and 2010 alumnus Jimmy Garoppolo. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  A tear rolls down the cheek of Olivia Guzman Villalon as she grips the arm of her son's friend Vincent DeLao, EAHS Class of 2017 while watching a short video remembering her son Wednesday during a memorial ceremony to honor former Tomcat and U.S. Army Spc. Miguel Villalon at East Aurora High School. Spc. Villalon was one of two U.S. service members killed on Jan. 11 when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device while on duty in Afghanistan. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  Bishop Richard Pates puts ashes on the forehead of an inmate at the DuPage County Jail Wednesday in Wheaton. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  Jodie Diegel of the SOUL Harbour Ranch Animal Therapy Program, a 501c3 nonprofit out of Barrington gets a kiss from one of her horses Sunday April 19, 2020. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  Sally Gerschefske of Rockford, who lived in Gilberts for 30 years previously, protests against the state's stay-at-home order in Algonquin Sunday. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.comFive-year-old Ella Bingman of Batavia is all smiles as she greets Chuck the Duck through the front door Thursday as the giant yellow duck dropped off Easter eggs for Ella and her sister Kathryn, 7.
  Larry D'Angelo, owner of Al's Shoe Service in Mount Prospect, is making crosses by hand from leather and rubber, and he now thousands has orders from all over the country. The idea originated after business declined at his shop due to the COVID-19 stay-at-home order. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Jonathan Davila, 30 of Addison, reacts while seeing his family for the first time Tuesday April 5, 2020, after a 44-day stay for COVID-19 at Elmhurst Hospital. His wife Ashley King and the children were waiting outside Elmhurst Hospital to greet him as he was discharged before being taken to Marianjoy. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  Senior Emilee Harris waves to people watching the Wauconda High School graduates' “Drive Night” parade on Main Street in Wauconda Tuesday. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Confetti rains down on Sal Scianna and Monika Strak after they were married Saturday on the front steps of their home in Addison. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  Glenbrook North sophomore Sonia Thakkar played the harp for a virtual live concert to entertain and relieve the stress of front line health care workers. She also raised over $3,000 to obtain quality PPE kits for front line workers in India. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Looking eastward along Techny Road, the sun rises over Techny Towers Saturday. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Clifftina Johnson, mother of Tafara Williams, speaks during a Black Lives Matter Rally in Waukgan Saturday as Marcellis Stinnette Jr., age seven months, is held by his aunt, Sharay Johnson. Williams, the boy's mother, was shot and wounded, and her boyfriend, Marcellis Stinnette, the boy's father, was shot and killed by a Waukegan police officer this week. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Brian Dunton holds his son, Jack, age 10 months, while voting at Greenbriar Elementary School in Northbrook on Election Day Tuesday. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  The installation of the new marquee sign for the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in downtown Arlington Heights was a big hit for spectators on Tuesday morning as the $300k sign took flight to its new home on the building. The lights don't flash but are on a dimmer switch which can be lowered depending on what time of day it is. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Donniece Samuels and her husband Peter Uccio from Pennsylvania share a laugh over a meal consisting of chicken and rice soup and grilled cheese sandwiches at the First Presbyterian Church in Arlington Heights as part of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. They both came to Illinois to find work but it fell through and four months ago Peter was diagnosed with liver cancer. They were very appreciative for the meal and would move to St. Mark's church in Mt. Prospect for a place to sleep. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Exercise riders head to the track to work the race horses on the day before Arlington Racecouse will open without fans. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  A drive-through of hundreds of cars including this person who gives him a thumbs-up sign drove by the house of Greg Zanis, the Aurora carpenter who built hundreds of memorial crosses for shooting victims around the country. His family stands at his side as people wave and express themselves with signs and well-wishes. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  A drive-through of hundreds of cars and people with signs drove and stood by the house of Greg Zanis, the Aurora carpenter who built hundreds of memorial crosses for shooting victims around the country. His family stands at his side as people wave and express themselves with signs and well-wishes. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  The waxing crescent moon shines with the holiday light display in Adams Park in downtown Wheaton on Wednesday. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Former governor Rod Blagojevich waves to his friends after he gave a new conference at his Chicago home, one day after getting out of prison courtesy of President Donald Trump. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  The Blue Angels soar high heading from the Chicago area over the suburb of Norridge as they thanks all the first responders with a flyover all over the city and suburbs on Tuesday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Gov. Pritzker sits down in the parking lot of Red Roof Inn in Downers Grove to talk with Olivia Tyler, 7, of Lombard who came up with the idea to make masks to sell and raise money for a homeless shelter with that money. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 7, Michael Carr of Bloomingdale underwent surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and other treatment before he could ring the End of Chemo bell as a healthy kid. Now, his tumor is back and the 11-year-old boy is determined to climb 1,643 steps as part of Aon's Step Up for Kids fundraiser to support families at Lurie Children's Hospital. He often takes off his shirt and flexes for both family and friends and staff at the hospital because shirts would bother the port on his upper chest. Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com
  Former Downers Grove resident Evan Baird, 22, uses jumping stilts to wow the crowd at the Harvester place memory care center in Burr Ridge. Baird has been interested in gymnastics since the age of 3 and wanted to audition for the circus but COVID-19 interfered with his plans. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  The outdoor park at the Arboretum in South Barrington is a cool spot to hang out and in the winter it is turned into an ice rink. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Twins Haley and Brantley Weachter, 7, top and middle, pile on cousin Tyler Sprenger, 9, as they try to stay cool on the slip and slide in the Weachter's Elgin backyard Wednesday. Temperatures were predicted to reach record highs so the kids asked if they could have one more “water day” in the backyard before D301 schools start on Monday. They also had a small inflatable pool filled up with cool water. Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com
  People raise their hand in prayer during a protest outside the police station in Elgin Monday night. Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com
  Jaimie Amore holds the flag from her husband's casket as she leads their children to a waiting hearse at the funeral for Lincolnshire-Riverwoods firefighter/paramedic Mark Amore at Church of Holy Apostles in McHenry Wednesday. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Micheal Brooker of Wheaton casts his vote at the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton Tuesday. Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com
  Traffic flows on Townline Road as a hazy sun sets in Vernon Hills Tuesday due to wildfires in the Pacific Northwest. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Long Grove is finally getting its bridge back after many years as construction workers use a crane to lift the approximate 40,000 pound structure into place on Tuesday morning. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Customers of The Lantern chipped in to help board up Naperville's oldest tavern as protesters walked the streets. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Cars try to get out of the way of protesters as they take to the streets in downtown Naperville as over 500 people along with a strong police presence escorted them along boarded up businesses. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Boarded up windows with messages of peace line the businesses in Naperville as protesters take to the streets. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Empty seats at opening day at Arlington Racecourse has the horses for the fourth race heading to the finish line with no fans watching. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Over 2000 cars will pass through this COVID-19 testing site at Arlington Park in a day as people are waiting in long lines to get tested. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Protesters sit at the corner of Chicago Ave. and Washington Street before taking to the streets in downtown Naperville as over 500 people along with a strong police presence escorted them along boarded up businesses. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Bob Piper salutes and his son Steve gives a thumbs-up in the background as friends and local veterans groups hold a drive-by parade celebrating the 98th birthday of the Naperville resident and World War II veteran Friday. Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com
  Dr. Dan McGehee rides past a track sign giving him a message as he attempts to break a 100-mile track record ... and guess what he did with a record time of 4 hours 7 minutes and 15 seconds in the 50 year and older cycling group. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Dave Hammer, a Palatine Historical Society member guides his fingers through one of the “Daily Herald Index” books in his Palatine home. He has spent countless hours indexing headlines and topics from the Daily Herald from 1901-2019. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  This pilot (talking on the phone) of this single engine aircraft walked away from this crash after having engine problems and landing on Quentin Road and having his wing hit a pole which flipped him around. The pilot telling others “I'm ok, I'm ok. He was heading to Lake in the Hills coming from Chicago Executive Airport. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  People stood in line for hours at Rise in Mundelein waiting to legally buy different forms of marijuana with about a thousand other people on New Year's Day. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  The steeple at Wheaton College church has collapsed as church officials check out the damage from their rooftop. Several trees in the park next to the church were also heavily damaged in the storms that past through the area. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Riley Fink, 13, of Joliet and his sister, Grace, 9, view a Tyrannosaurus Rex during a Dinosaur Adventure drive-through at the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton Sunday. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Three-day-old Favory Bionda stretches his legs as Herd and Breeding Manager Arturo Novoa leads the colt's mother Bionda and Program Director Esther Buonanno watches at Tempel Lipizzans Farm in Old Mill Creek near Wadsworth Friday. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Stanley Anton, a U.S. Marine veteran with 25 years of service, smokes a cigar and sorts American flags he brought to a memorial ceremony Friday morning at the Palatine Firefighters Memorial to honor those killed in terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. He is from Palatine. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.