Journal & Topics

The Journal & Topics Newspapers traces its beginnings back to 1930. It was established by Mr. Robert Fabian during the challenging times of the Great Depression, when he decided to create the Des Plaines Journal while working at a local newspaper. Mr. Fabian managed the Journal until 1947, when Richard and Mary Jane Wessell acquired it. The Wessells saved money during the war years to purchase the Des Plaines Journal. Mr. Wessell served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific during World War II, while Mrs. Wessell worked at the Merchandise Mart. Over the next fifty years, the Journal expanded into a network of 17 newspapers, each catering to communities including Des Plaines, Mt. Prospect, Rosemont, Prospect Heights, Niles, Elk Grove Village, Arlington Heights, Glenview, Wheeling, Palatine, Buffalo Grove, and Rolling Meadows, all surrounding the bustling O'Hare Airport. In 1979, the name “Topics” was added to the Journal when the Wessell family purchased five additional Topics newspapers. In addition to publishing newspapers, the Journal & Topics operates a modern Goss Community Press for printing other publications, as well as offering job printing and mail processing services. Since its inception, the Journal & Topics has received numerous awards for excellence in both editorial and advertising, including top honors from the Illinois Press Association and the prestigious Peter Lisagor Award for outstanding editorial work. The Journal & Topics is dedicated to delivering quality community news, editorial content, commentary, and photography. We focus on local stories rather than events happening abroad or in Washington, D.C., unless they have a local connection. For any inquiries, please contact Todd Wessell at 847-299-5511.

Local

English

Newspaper

Outlet metrics

Domain Authority

Ranking

Global

#311053

United States

#64284

News and Media

#2630

Traffic sources

Monthly visitors

Articles

Village Orders Green Space Clock Tower For $259,650

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

Clocktower design approved by village trustees for new gateway plaza at Northwest Highway and Central Road. The Mount Prospect Village Board waived the rules for public bidding and awarded a $259,650 contract to Verdin Company in Cincinnati, Ohio, for a 35-ft. tall clock tower for the proposed gateway plaza with green space at Northwest Highway and Central Road. The concept of a new gateway plaza on the property, recently purchased by the village at 310 W. Northwest Hwy., was presented at last ...
Dist. 207 Approves New English, Digital History Textbooks

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

Maine Township High School Dist. 207 board members approved new novels for English classes for next school year, as well as the first reading for a digital textbook for World History courses, during their meeting Monday (May 5). “We would not look at another World History textbook for about five to six years, and at that point we’ll determine whether or not to change publisher or book edition,” said Assistant Supt. of Curriculum and Innovation Shawn Messmer. “The nice thing about a new [digital]...
New Trier Democrat Patrick Hanley In Running For 9th State Senate — With Schakowsky’s Endorsement - Journal & Topics Media Group

6 days ago | journal-topics.com | Tom Robb

The scene outside Patrick Hanley's Winnetka home with rallying supporters as he announced his run for the 9th Illinois State Senate seat. (Photo submitted)Another name dropped in the race for the 9th State Senate seat, that of Patrick Hanley, who runs day-to-day operations for the New Trier Democrats under Committeeman Dean Margolis. Hanley said he has the endorsement of U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-9th), who recently announced she would not seek reelection to Congress, leading State Sen. Laura ...
Local Catholics Quick To Celebrate Pope With Chicago Roots

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

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost (Wikimedia Commons)The first American to rise to the papacy, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was born in Chicago and grew up in south suburban Dolton, is now Pope Leo XIV -- the 267th pope elected by the Catholic Church. Area Catholics rejoiced at the news Thursday after white smoke appeared from the roof of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, signaling the conclave's decision was made. "Peace be with all of you!" were the first words of Pope Leo XIV during ...
Person Found Seriously Injured Along Union Pacific Tracks In Des Plaines

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

A person found near the Union Pacific Northwest Line Metra tracks in Des Plaines was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital around midday Friday (May 9). According to Des Plaines Fire Chief Matt Matzl, paramedics got a call about an injured person near the intersection of Northwest Highway and Western Avenue. He said that the person was taken to the hospital with “life-threatening injuries.”Matzl said that the Metra Police Department was still investigating the incident, and he had no furt...
Gas Lines Hit Again On Graceland Avenue

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

Two more gas lines were reportedly severed by construction crews working along Graceland Avenue in Des Plaines, shutting down the roadway for at least the third time in the last week Friday morning. Des Plaines police and firefighters responded to 995 Graceland Ave. at approximately 9:15 a.m., reporting two struck service lines. Yesterday afternoon, a gas main break shut down traffic on Graceland, which is one-way southbound at that point between Thacker and Lee. Nicor was on the scene shortly a...
Maine Township 2025 Graduations Set For May 18

1 week ago | journal-topics.com | Sam Rakestraw

Maine South High School's graduation ceremony takes place on the Rosemont Theater stage. (Journal file photo)Maine Township High School Dist. 207 graduation ceremonies are set for Sunday, May 18 at the Rosemont Theatre, where about 1,529 senior-year students in all will receive their diplomas throughout the day. Dist. 207 has held its graduations on the third Sunday of May for the past few years. Each ceremony tends to run 3-1/2 hours with around 550 students from each school graduating. Direct...
Ruttenberg Announces For 9th District State Senate

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

Attorney and deputy for policy to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, for policy Rachel Ruttenberg. Attorney and Deputy Cook County Chief of Staff for Policy Rachel O'Konis Ruttenberg threw her hat into the ring Thursday to run for the State Senate’s 9th District. The Evanston resident's announcement comes as the district's current state senator, Laura Fine of Glenview, announced Tuesday she is running for Congress in the area's 9th U.S. House District -- one day after U.S. Rep. Jan Sc...
Glenbrook South Sells Tiny Home Built By Students To 2010 Alum

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

Exterior of the Tiny House built by Glenbrook South High School students. (Photo submitted)Bids to purchase a tiny house built by Glenbrook South High School Geometry in Construction class members were due to school officials Tuesday morning. Glenbrook South 2010 alum Andrew Montesantros paid $22,225 for the tiny home, which district officials said he would take to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for his nieces and nephews to use. Interior of theTiny House built by Glenbrook South High School ...
Chicago River Clean Up Day May 10 In Glenview

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

A Glenbrook South High School volunteer wades through a section of the West Fork of the North Branch of the Chicago River during a River Day clean up Saturday, May 8, 2021 sponsored by the village of Glenview and the Friends of the Chicago River. (Tom Robb/Journal photo)The village of Glenview is partnering with Friends of the Chicago River as they work to clean up 75 sites along the river from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 10. In Glenview, clean-up crews will work along the river at 1733 Glenv...