Started in 1999 by former St. Charles High School line coach Mike Powers and brought to West Aurora with Powers and now-retired head coach Buck Drach in 2006, the Battle of the Big Butts continues as a premier summer competition for offensive and defensive linemen under the direction of Blackhawks assistant football coach Mike Runge and head coach Nate Eimer.

Upcoming concerts include Norah Jones with Mavis Staples at Ravinia, Carrie Underwood at Windy City Smokeout, Def Leppard and Journey with The Steve Miller Band at Wrigley Field and more.

Mark your calendars for Itasca Fest, Vernon Hills Days, the Kane County Fair, Taste of Westmont, Windy City Smokeout, Bristol Renaissance Faire and more happening this week.

On July 1, Chang Soo (CS) Nam of North Aurora became chair of a Northern Illinois University engineering department.

Patrick Hilby of Aurora Central Catholic High School has been named the 2023-24 Gatorade Illinois Boys Track & Field Player of the Year. Hilby is the first Gatorade Illinois Boys Track & Field Player of the Year to be chosen from Aurora Central Catho...

The St. Charles Park District’s Sculpture in the Park will be a year-round display starting this summer. By next week, all of this year’s sculptures will be in place and the popular community event becomes something to enjoy for 12 months.

Mark your calendars for the Long Grove Strawberry Fest, Inferno Fest in Highwood, Geneva Swedish Days, the Taste of Highland Park, Wauconda Fest and more happening this week.

Two men both from Wheaton -- Tommy Jaeschke and Jeff Jendryk -- are playing with the United States Men’s National Volleyball Team team that will compete at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

Cardinals reliever Chris Roycroft, a Villa Park native and Willowbrook HS grad, made his first hometown appearance as a major-leaguer at Wrigley Field on Friday.

This week in baseball examines why the Cubs and White Sox have two of the worst bullpens in baseball, along with news from the minor leagues.