Des Plaines Journal

The Journal & Topics Newspapers has a history that goes back to 1930. It all began during the challenging times of the Great Depression when Mr. Robert Fabian, who worked for a local newspaper, chose to start the Des Plaines Journal. He ran the publication until 1947 when Richard and Mary Jane Wessell took over ownership.

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Creepy ‘Bring Her Back’ Raises Some Hairs

3 days ago | journal-topics.com | Mike Poulos

Sally Hawkins and Jonah Wren Phillips in "Bring Her Back". “Bring Her Back” (103 min, Rated R for strong disturbing violent content, some grisly images, graphic nudity, underage drinking and language) 5 out of 10For mainstream film reviewers such as myself, there’s no hiding from the combined horror-occult-satanic-supernatural genre. It’s a sure-fire box-office filler between the gargantuan seat-filling films like “Mission Impossible” and “Jurassic World.” What used to be seasonal releases has ...
‘Karate Kid Legends’ Swings, Misses

3 days ago | journal-topics.com | Mike Poulos

Jackie Chan and Ben Wang in "Karate Kid: Legends". “Karate Kid Legends” (94 min, Rated PG-13 for martial arts violence and some language) 4 out of 10After its tepid remake in 2010, “The Karate Kid” has now been rebooted in 2025, over 40 years after its debut film in 1984 that was successfully followed with two decent sequels in 1986 and 1989, all three films featuring Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita. But that’s not where “The Karate Kid” ended, followed by a brief animated series, two more movies ...
Transit Agencies To Plan For Cuts After Illinois House Misses Deadline

4 days ago | journal-topics.com | Igor Studenkov

Waiting for a train on the Union Pacific Northwest Line. (Journal file photo)The Illinois General Assembly failed to pass a bill that would have brought the CTA, Metra and Pace the funding they need to avert a fiscal cliff coming in 2026 before the regular session adjourned after midnight last Saturday (May 31). The three transit agencies and the agency that supervises them, the Regional Transportation Authority, are facing a combined $770 million financial shortfall as pandemic-era federal sti...
West Fest Returns With Rides, Kids Games

4 days ago | journal-topics.com | Igor Studenkov

West Fest from previous year. Claw pendulum ride when it was not going upside down. (Photo by Maine West Athletic Booster)West Fest, the carnival celebration at the end of the school year, returns to Des Plaines’ Maine West High School this week, kicking off on Thursday (June 5) and ending on Sunday (June 8). As usual, the fest will feature carnival rides, games and plenty of food. Organized by the Maine West Athletic Boosters, it is the organization’s biggest fundraiser, bringing in $28,000 l...
Prospect Heights To Draft Chicken Ordinance

5 days ago | journal-topics.com | Sam Rakestraw

Prospect Heights aldermen made some progress on the issue of keeping chickens and other fowl on residential properties in the city by discussing what will likely be drafted as part of a new ordinance. The draft ordinance discussed at Tuesday’s (May 27) city council meeting will include a 20-bird limit, a cap on 75 licenses for ownership (with 12 months to comply), while a ban on roosters is still pending.
Willow Trails Flood Control Project Billed As ‘Major Improvement’ For City’s East Side

5 days ago | journal-topics.com | Sam Rakestraw

Entrance to Willow Trails Park on Apple Drive in Prospect Heights. Aldermen approved a $2,479,324.90 bid from Wauconda-based Berger Excavating Contractors for the Willow Trails Flood Control Project, as well as $206,000 for preliminary engineering services with Gewalt Hamilton Associates, at the May 27 Prospect Heights City Council meeting. The project is funded through a Federal Community Projects Grant available in each congressional district. “There’s only a handful of these that are awarded...
Workshop Airs Concerns About Fisherman’s Dude Ranch Redevelopment

6 days ago | journal-topics.com | Todd Wessell

Fisherman's Dude Ranch in he 1960s. Residents and business owners who may be affected by a proposal to redevelop the former Fisherman’s Dude Ranch property on the south side of Golf Road near East River Road learned more about the plan last Tuesday night in Des Plaines City Hall. The purpose of the workshop, hosted by the Des Plaines Planning and Zoning Board, was to allow the public to hear details and view renderings of the large proposal. No action was taken. The planning and zoning b...
Boys Tennis State: Journal-Area Singles Players Finish 1-2 At State

1 week ago | journal-topics.com | Dion Martorano

Conant finished a program-best second place in the IHSA boys tennis Class 2A state finals Saturday, May 31 at Palatine High School. Hinsdale Central ran away with the state championship again, but Conant proved to be a stellar surprise at state, edging many powerhouse teams along the way. Hinsdale Central won state with 34 points, while Conant was second with 26 points. The rest of the top 10 included Hersey (22 points) in third, followed by New Trier (19), Glenbrook South (17), Stevenson (17), ...
Mussman Hosting Town Halls In Elk Grove Village, Des Plaines In June

1 week ago | journal-topics.com | Tom Robb

State Rep. Michelle Mussman (D-56th) in Springfield. (Photo provided)State Rep. Michelle Mussman (D-56th) will host two town hall meetings -- one in Elk Grove Village followed by one in Des Plaines -- to provide updates on the legislative session in Springfield and to discuss any other issues on voters’ minds. The first town hall is at the Charles Zettek Municipal Building in Elk Grove Village, 901 Wellington Ave., at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 3. The next day, Mussman heads to a second town hall m...
Home For Hangar One?

1 week ago | journal-topics.com | Tom Robb

Inside the Hangar One Foundation's Naval Air Station Glenview Museum. (File Photo)The Glenview Hangar One Foundation, which holds a sizable collection of Naval Air Station Glenview artifacts, has seen the completion of an inventory of its collection, which began in October. Now, the foundation is asking the village of Glenview to designate it a new permanent home by Thursday, July 31. The inventory was completed by a professional, recognized archivist, hired at the foundation’s expense, charged...