The pastor of a Rockford church has agreed to buy a former hospital from Mercyhealth. Pastor Melvin Brown and his wife, Sheila, of Kingdom Authority International Church have signed a purchase agreement and are now closing on the former hospital.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced that former Boone County Clerk and Recorder Julie Bliss pleaded guilty to charges related to the alleged theft of cash from the county and misuse of county funds on personal expenses.

Shaw Media reporter Brandon Clark discusses the latest news in Sterling.

The Schingoethe Center of Aurora University presents “Eye to Eye,” an exhibitionfeaturing the work of 40 artists exploring portraiture as a vehicle to share personal,historical and mythological stories about identity, cultural memory, contemporary life.

The Sandwich Fair in DeKalb County is underway. Fairgoers will find the usual suspects — rides, fried food and live music — but there’s also the mainstay of fairs like this one: the exhibitions. Livestock, fruits and vegetables, jams, crafts and even Lego structures. WNIJ’s Jess Savage got a behind the scenes look earlier this week.

The Sandwich Fair is open through the weekend. Sandwich is also WNIJ reporter Peter Medlin’s hometown and he went down to the fairgrounds to share his five tips for a great fair experience...

The DeKalb Public Library has been hosting monthly plant swaps for two years. This week, they’re adding adult clothing to the mix. Jess Savage reports on what swappers can expect at the event.

Dan Sanderson is the recipient of the 2025 Illinois Leopold Conservation Award.The award honors farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in the management of soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on working land.

13-WREX meteorologist John Jurgens forecasts great weather for Labor Day weekend across northern Illinois.