Illinois Valley's 5 most-read stories: May 31-June 6

All in a day’s work for Jake Gillum in Princeton Mile

Jake Gillum started his day running the Steamboat Classic in Peoria running a 4-mile race starting at 8:05 a.m. Then he made fast tracks to defend his Princeton Mile championship by the narrowest of margins, clocking a 4:08.2 to edge runner-up Dale Johnson of Sterling

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library provides 11,415 free books to 1,500 children through Kankakee United Way

The United Way of Kankakee & Iroquois Counties is celebrating the one year anniversary of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in the region, which has distributed 11,415 free books to over 1,500 across Kankakee and Iroquois Counties.

These news businesses coming to New Lenox this summer

The Village of New Lenox said it will soon see four additional new businesses open this summer.

How to look out for your family pet when disaster strikes

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA OHS) has tips on how to include your pet in family disaster preparedness plans.

MCC announces 2026 faculty members of the year

McHenry County College has announced the honorees of its 2026 Faculty Member of the Year and Adjunct Faculty Member of the Year awards.