Joseph States – Page 13

Lake County Board candidate Juan Beto Ruiz, left, will be stricken from the ballot according to a proposed court order. Ruiz had been hoping to unseat incumbent Esiah Campos, right, during the Democratic primary. (Juan Beto Ruiz, Lake County)

Lake County Board candidate to be taken off ballot; ‘An attempt to avoid a fair and competitive race’

March 5, 2026 at 3:48 p.m.

The court’s decision overruled a decision by the Lake County Electoral Board which decided in November in a 2-1 vote to allow Ruiz to remain on the ballot, despite the...

Shawn Killacky, board secretary with Fremont School District 79 and a member of the Mundelein Historical Commission, resigned last March from the commission in protest of the village's stance on developer impact fees. The feud between the village and its schools have continued for months. (Joe States/Pioneer Press)

Mundelein’s school districts sue village over impact fees: ‘A principled disagreement between neighbors’

March 5, 2026 at 9:52 a.m.

The “core” of the issue is a new ordinance Mundelein passed in April that the districts say has “significantly reduced” developer impact fees for the schools.

DCFS bills put on hold due of transparency concerns: ‘Not reform at all’

March 3, 2026 at 2:16 p.m.

The move comes after the child-abuse death of 8-year-old Markell Pierce in Round Lake Beach, although state officials have not attributed their decisions to the tragedy.

Lake County takes unique approach in face of housing shortage: ‘We need to think big’

March 2, 2026 at 1:59 p.m.

A 2023 study warned of a serious lack of diverse housing stock and new housing construction “woefully” below projected population growth in Lake County.

Political newcomer Juan Beto Ruiz, left, is challenging incumbent Esiah Campos during the March primary for the Lake County Board. Ruiz has raised numerous criticisms of Campos, while Campos has pointed to his track record on the board. (Juan Beto Ruiz and Lake County)

Lake County Board member being challenged by political newcomer

February 27, 2026 at 11:47 a.m.

District 16 includes Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Heights and portions of Round Lake and Round Lake Park.

Sunlight reflects off of the seven memorials set up for the victims of the Independence Day shooting in Highland Park at a temporary memorial in the Rose Garden outside of City Hall on Nov. 11, 2022. The seven people who died are Katherine Goldstein, Irina and Kevin McCarthy, Stephen Straus, Jacquelyn “Jacki” Sundheim, Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza and Eduardo Uvaldo. (Stacey Wescott/baiduhai)

Highland Park announces Independence Day schedule as planning for parade memorial continues

February 25, 2026 at 1:03 p.m.

The city hasn’t held its own fireworks display since the 2022 shooting.

A memorial filled with stuffed animals, balloons, flowers and candles sits outside the home of 8-year-old Markell Pierce in the 1900 block of Cedar Lake Road in Round Lake Beach on Feb. 9, 2026. (Stacey Wescott/baiduhai)

Markell Pierce’s death echoes 2022 Round Lake Beach child’s murder: ‘It strikes me that there’s something to hide’

February 24, 2026 at 2:19 p.m.

Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart has said additional public releases could affect ongoing interviews.

Lake Zurich High School. (Pioneer Press file)

Video of Lake Zurich student swinging at ICE supporter goes viral: ‘I’m going to punch you in the face’

February 20, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.

A brief altercation recorded during Lake Zurich High School’s Feb. 12 walkout protesting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has gone viral.

The Rev. David Ryan with St. Francis de Sales Parrish gives the closing prayer at the Lake Zurich Memorial Day service on May 27, 2024. (Michael Schmidt/For the Pioneer Press)

Lake Zurich priest retires after sexual abuse allegations as Cardinal Cupich cites ‘exemplary leadership’

February 19, 2026 at 9:51 a.m.

The Rev. David Ryan of St. Francis De Sales Parish will be temporarily replaced by the Rev. Steven Lanza.

A memorial filled with stuffed animals, balloons, flowers and candles sits outside of the home of 8-year-old Markell Pierce on the 1900 block of Cedar Lake Road on Feb.9, 2026, in Round Lake Beach. (Stacey Wescott/baiduhai)

As Round Lake Beach mourns child abuse death, Cook County official warns of new DCFS bills; ‘It’s anti-transparency … anti-child’

February 17, 2026 at 12:22 p.m.

As Round Lake Beach-area residents continue to mourn the death of 8-year-old Markell Pierce, allegedly at the hands of his parents, a Cook County official is warning of two state...

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