Good morning, Joliet.

Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Katy LeClaire – a two-decade veteran – was named the 2026 ATHENA Award recipient by the Joliet Chamber and Council for Working Women.

She will be honored at the 39th luncheon on Sept. 23 at 11:30 a.m. at the Jacob Henry Mansion Estate.

Will County will host a mix of events this weekend — a free ’80s concert Friday at Central Square in Lockport, a river paddle Friday at Hammel Woods in Shorewood, a psychic medium show Saturday at Hollywood Casino, a Queen tribute Saturday in Lemont, and The Rangers performing Friday in Joliet.

Joliet West High School held an emergency remote learning day on Wednesday after an electrical issue left the cafeteria, kitchen, and G-building without power; students who lacked computers could pick them up (Door 5, Cafeteria Entrance) between 7:15 and 11:15 a.m.

Residents in Essex and neighboring towns are organizing against proposed data centers as they work to update zoning rules following an Aug.

6 Village Board meeting. Local leaders urge officials to require renewable energy + improve transparency before the planned vote on Aug. 24.

High school football previews detail Week 1 matchups in DuPage and suburban Cook County that will take place Friday night; the review highlights key players, game times, and expert picks to guide local fans.

This outlook sets the stage for an exciting season start.

Fenwick's football team, led by returning starter Jake Thies and several new players from last season's state title run, is preparing for its fall season with a CCL crossover match at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Joliet Catholic and will face Orange Division rivals later.

The 2026 IHSA football season kicks off with local high schools playing Friday night — including home games for Ottawa and Marquette and away contests for Seneca, Streator, Dwight, and Sandwich at various venues starting at 7 p.m. Experts expect new coaches and returning players to shine on the field.

Analyst Steve Soucie used a three-year win model to project playoff changes after the IHSA expanded the football format by adding 128 teams+ modifying CPL eligibility, with bracket updates set to follow after Week 1.

Football previews cover five IHSA games featuring Neuqua Valley at Oswego, Joliet West at Oswego East, Crete-Monee at Yorkville, Plano at Ottawa, and Sandwich at Eastland-Pearl City at 7 p.m. — Analysts favor Oswego, Oswego East, Yorkville, Ottawa, and Eastland-Pearl City with returning stars and changing lineups.