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.

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Creepy ‘Bring Her Back’ Raises Some Hairs

2 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

2 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

3 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

3 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...
Workshop Airs Concerns About Fisherman’s Dude Ranch Redevelopment

5 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

6 days 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...
Medical Issue Causes SUV To Crash Into Aldi On Willow Road

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

Glenview police patch. (Photo submitted)A crossover SUV crashed into the sidewall of the Aldi grocery store in the 2100 block of Willow Road, Glenview, at about 10:48 a.m. Sunday, May 25. The vehicle suffered front-end damage and its airbags were deployed. A medical incident caused the crash, Glenview Police Sgt. Carly Gaba said. After Glenview police and firefighters arrived at the scene, the driver was transported to Glenbrook Hospital in Glenview for treatment by paramedics. The vehicle, whi...
Upcoming Events - Journal & Topics Media Group

1 week ago | journal-topics.com | Denise Fleischer

The following family-friendly events are hosted by park districts, libraries, and history centers in the Journal & Topics coverage area. Register when requested. Email event details to [email protected]. Des PlainesCenter of ConcernGolf For GoodMountain View Adventure Center510 E. Algonquin Rd.2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 21Tickets include 18 holes of mini golf, face painting, snacks, and beverages. Enter to win prizes in the family-friendly raffles. Purchase raffle tickets.