Illinois Valley's 5 most-read stories: April 26-May 2

Joliet teams meet the Big Texan 72-ounce steak challenge as Route 66 caravan rolls into town

Five teams competed in the famous Texas steak challenge at the Old Joliet Prison as part of a Route 66 cross country caravan on Wednesday.

Kane County groups to rally for women’s choice Wednesday, 4 years since Roe v Wade was overturned

Kane County activist groups will mark four years since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned constitutional abortion protections in Roe v. Wade with a rally at 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, on the Silver Glen bridge pedestrian overpass in South Elgin.

Sauk Valley communities’ fireworks displays: here’s where and when to see them

Communities around the Sauk Valley are gearing up for fireworks shows to celebrate Independence Day and the nation’s 250th birthday.

He savagely beat a woman in a McHenry park. His lawyer said he was insane; a judge just convicted him

A judge rejected the defense's argument that Raymond Link was insane when he randomly attacked and nearly killed a woman in McHenry's Petersen Park while she was walking a dog.

Zion man charged with selling fatal pills to McHenry man also now accused of attempted murder

A Zion man, who is awaiting trial on charges he sold counterfeit pills that killed a McHenry man, also now faces charges of attempted murder in Lake County.