Good morning, Joliet.

Siegel's Cottonwood Farm closed its Crest Hill garden center in April (after 35 years) as the owners chose to spend more time with their grandchildren and compete with larger stores; local customers now miss its unique and vibrant plant selection.

Prime Healthcare received an 8-0 state review board vote on Thursday for buying Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, praising its role in saving local jobs, while union nurses criticized cuts at the Joliet hospital on May 4; lawmakers plan to discuss a bill to block further closures (to protect community health).

Illinois school officials and sports fans are debating whether to separate public and private school championships, similar to Alabama’s trial earlier this year.

The IHSA supports keeping combined postseason competitions while proposals for a split remain a recurring topic in high school sports.

In Friday’s high school baseball games, Lincoln-Way Central rallied for a 4-3 win over Andrew after Connor McCabe’s three-run double in the fifth, while Lockport’s Austin Winge led his team to a 4-2 win against Lincoln-Way West.

Chicago Lithuanian Opera's 70th Anniversary Production

3-6 p.m. — Rialto Square Theatre — Tickets from $84 — Experience a charming performance of Friedrich von Flotow’s romantic comic opera Martha with a celebration of Lithuanian culture.

NHRA Route 66 Nationals

3:30-7:30 a.m. — Route 66 Raceway — Tickets starting at $114 — Experience the thrills of drag racing at this must-see motorsport event.

South Side Exiles Rooftop Concert

7-10 p.m. — Joliet Area Historical Museum — $16 General Public, $14 Museum Members — Enjoy classic rock tunes from the South Side Exiles on the rooftop.

World of Food Trucks

11 AM – 3 PM — Gregory B. Bott Community Park — Free entry — Sample global cuisines from Chicagoland's favorite food trucks in a family-friendly festival.

Mix of '26: Beyond Beer & Bourbon Fest

12-5 p.m. — Hollywood Casino Joliet — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate summer flavors with craft beers, bourbons, and live music while supporting veterans' housing initiatives.

Pat Clark Cancer Foundation 5K

7 a.m. — Cemeno's Pizza — All proceeds benefit local cancer patients — Join the community for a charity run supporting the Pat Clark Cancer Foundation.

Windy City Thunderbolts vs. Joliet Slammers

1:05 – 4:05 PM — Duly Health And Care Field — Tickets available — Support the local Slammers and enjoy the American tradition of baseball.