SPHL FINALS – Peoria’s Michael McChesney celebrates his goal against Evansville in the second period of Game 2 of the SPHL President’s Cup Finals on Friday, May 1, 2026 at Carver Arena.
SPHL FINALS – Peoria’s Braydon Barker (18) gets in close for a point-blank shot on Evansville goaltender Kristian Stead in the first period of Game 2 of the SPHL President’s Cup Finals on Friday, May 1, 2026 at Carver Arena.
SPHL FINALS – Evansville’s Derek Contessa, right, falls to the ice while chasing the puck with Peoria’s Alec Baer in the third period of Game 2 of the SPHL President’s Cup Finals on Friday, May 1, 2026 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-5 series with a 5-1 victory.
SPHL FINALS – A young Rivermen fan blows on his vuvuzela as Peoria battles Evansville in the first period of Game 2 of the SPHL President’s Cup Finals on Friday, May 1, 2026 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen took a 2-0 lead in the series with a 5-1 rout of the Thunderbolts.
SPHL FINALS – Peoria’s Connor Szmul (28) collides with Evansville’s Ethan Lund (20) and Joey Berkopec in the second period of Game 2 of the SPHL President’s Cup Finals on Friday, May 1, 2026 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen took a 2-0 lead in the series with a 5-1 rout of the Thunderbolts.
SPHL FINALS – The puck sails past Evansville goaltender Kristian Stead on a shot from Peoria’s Michael McChesney in the second period of Game 2 of the SPHL President’s Cup Finals on Friday, May 1, 2026 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen took a 2-0 lead in the series with a 5-1 rout of the Thunderbolts.
SPHL FINALS – Rivermen fans celebrate as time runs out on their 5-1 victory over Evansville in Game 2 of the SPHL President’s Cup Finals on Friday, May 1, 2026 at Carver Arena.
RICHWOODS HS PROM – Zyere Younger dons his crown and struts for the crowd after being voted prom king during the Richwoods High School prom on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at Venue Chisca in Peoria’s Warehouse District. Kara Hofmann was voted prom queen.
RICHWOODS HS PROM – Kara Hofmann, the 2026 Richwoods High School prom queen, hugs her king Zyere Younger during the Richwoods High School prom on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at Venue Chisca in Peoria’s Warehouse District.
RICHWOODS HS PROM – Richwoods students and their dates dance the prom night away Saturday, May 2, 2026 at Venue Chisca in Peoria’s Warehouse District.
RICHWOODS HS PROM – A pair of discarded high heels lie near the dance floor during the Richwoods High School prom Saturday, May 2, 2026 at Venue Chisca in Peoria’s Warehouse District.
RICHWOODS HS PROM – Richwoods students and their dates dance the prom night away Saturday, May 2, 2026 at Venue Chisca in Peoria’s Warehouse District.
RICHWOODS HS PROM – Richwoods High School students and their dates take a break from socializig and dancing during their prom Saturday, May 2, 2026 at Venue Chisca in Peoria’s Warehouse District.
LAMB-SCAPING – A flock of 75 sheep from Tin Can Farms in Glasford wait to be released onto the Pivot Energy Community Solar Farm property for some grazing Wednesday, May 6, 2026 off Grange Hall Road in Dunlap. Pivot Energy and its corporate partner Tapestry have hired Tin Can Farms to “lamb-scape” three of its farms in Illinois as part of a dual-harvest sustainability initiative incorporating agricultural land management with photovoltaic arrays.
LAMB-SCAPING – Terry Parker, right, and his grandchildren Arlo, 10, left, Lee, 7, second from left, and Raylan, 12, of Tin Can Farms take a peek at a flock of of their sheep waiting to be released to graze Pivot Energy’s Community Solar Farm property Wednesday, May 6, 2026 in rural Peoria County. Owners Bryant and Jessica Parker keep around 200 sheep on the small family farm they started about three years ago in Glasford.
LAMB-SCAPING – A flock of sheep from Tin Can Farms in Glasford bolt out of a trailer to graze on fresh vegetation growing on the Pivot Energy Community Solar Farm on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 in Peoria County. The sheep will live on the site and clear the land of tall grasses and weeds throughout the growing season. The Pivot farm consists of 13,200 solar panels on 35 acres that can power about 1,200 homes.
LAMB-SCAPING – A flock of sheep wanders the grassy property of Pivot Energy’s Community Solar Farm after release Wednesday, May 6, 2026 in off Grange Hall Road in rural Peoria County. The sheep from Tin Can Farms in Glasford will graze the property over the next few months.
MID-ILLINI GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD – Morton’s Caela Myers, left, gets a hug from a teammate after winning the triple jump Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at the Mid-Illini Girls Track and Field Championships at EastSide Centre in East Peoria.
MID-ILLINI GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD – Washington’s Caylie Ahten finishes with a smile and a conference title in the 3200-meter run Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at the Mid-Illini Girls Track and Field Championships at EastSide Centre in East Peoria.
MID-ILLINI GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD – Dunlap’s Eva Deener tosses 11.56 meter to win the shotput during the Mid-Illini Girls Track and Field Championships on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at EastSide Centre in East Peoria.
MID-ILLINI GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD – Dunlap’s Sanjana Siddaraju and Pekin’s Lauren Ladendorf give it their all down the stretch for the handoff during the 4X800-meter relay Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at the Mid-Illini Girls Track and Field Championships at EastSide Centre in East Peoria. Pekin held on for the conference title.
2 CHEZ ANNIVERSARY – Todd Hohulin, left, and his wife Cyndi have been running 2 Chez Restaurant at 7815 Knoxville Avenue in Peoria since their son Isaac was a child. Isaac now works as a bartender at the family business that recently hit its 20th anniversary.
2 CHEZ ANNIVERSARY – Luke and Shelby Staub of Dunlap enjoy some pleasant weather in the outdoor dining area at 2 Chez on Knoxville Avenue in Peoria.
2 CHEZ ANNIVERSARY – T.J. and Danielle Crowell of Germantown Hills order their favorites from server Izzy Simpson at 2 Chez Restaurant in Peoria. The Crowell are longtime fans of the popular Knoxville Avenue restaurant that is marking its 20th year in business.
2 CHEZ ANNIVERSARY – A replica of the funerary mask of Egyptian King Tutankhamun hangs on a wall at the back of 2 Chez Restaurant, one of many interesting decorations covering the walls at the longtime Peoria eatery.
2 CHEZ ANNIVERSARY – Isaac Hohulin, son of 2 Chez owner Todd Hohulin, mixes a drink for a customer at the popular fine dining restaurant at 7815 Knoxville Avenue in Peoria.
LIMESTONE HS GRADUATION – Limestone Community High School students walk out to the football field for their graduation ceremony Saturday, May 9, 2026 in Bartonville.
LIMESTONE HS GRADUATION – A Limestone Community High School student acknowledges her family in the crowd after receiving her diploma during graduation ceremonies Saturday, May 9, 2026 on the football field in Bartonville.
LIMESTONE HS GRADUATION – Limestone Community High School students throw their caps at the end of their graduation ceremony Saturday, May 9, 2026 on the football field in Bartonville.
LIMESTONE HS GRADUATION – Limestone Community High School students show some emotion after their graduation ceremony Saturday, May 9, 2026 on the football field in Bartonville.
LIMESTONE HS GRADUATION – Limestone Community High School students pose for photos after their graduation ceremony Saturday, May 9, 2026 on the football field in Bartonville.
RIVERMEN FALL – Evansville’s Isaac Champman (11) puts the puck past Peoria goaltender Nick Latinovich for a goal in the first period of Game 5 of the SPHL President’s Cup on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at Carver Arena.
RIVERMEN FALL – Peoria’s JM Piotrowski (40) looks on as the Evansville Thunderbolts celebrate a goal against the Rivermen in the second period of Game 5 of the SPHL President’s Cup on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen fell 6-4 in the title game.
RIVERMEN FALL – Peoria head coach Jean-Guy Trudel checks the replay after an Evansville goal against the Rivermen in the second period of Game 5 of the SPHL President’s Cup on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at Carver Arena.
RIVERMEN FALL – Rivermen goaltender Jack Bostedt, right, and teammate Kylar Fenton lament an Evansville goal late in the third period to seal a 6-4 victory in Game 5 of the SPHL President’s Cup Finals on Saturday, May 6, 2026 at Carver Arena in Peoria.
RIVERMEN FALL – Evansville’s Jordan Simoneau, left, and Matt Hobbs scuffle with Peoria’s Tyler Ryder (25) and Braydon Barker in the first period of Game 5 of the SPHL President’s Cup on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen fell to the Thunderbolts 6-4.
RIVERMEN FALL – The Peoria Rivermen stand dejected on the ice as the Evansville Thunderbolts celebrate their 6-4 win in the decisive Game 5 of the SPHL President’s Cup on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at Carver Arena.
RIVERMEN FALL – The Evansville Thunderbolts hoist the SPHL President’s Cup after defeating the Peoria Rivermen 6-4 in Game 5 of the finals on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at Carver Arena.
RIVERMEN FALL – Peoria’s Jordan Ernst kneels on the ice in dejection as the Evansville Thunderbolts celebrate their 6-4 victory in the decisive Game 5 of the SPHL President’s Cup on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at Carver Arena.
RIVERMEN FALL – Evansville captain Matt Hobbs draws cheers from the Thunderbolts fan section after their 6-4 victory over the Peoria Rivermen in Game 5 of the SPHL President’s Cup on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at Carver Arena.
MID-ILLINI BOYS TRACK – Washington’s Ben Gorsage gets a little encouragment from the crowd as he pulls ahead of Metamora’s Zach Born to win the 800-meter run during the Mid-Illini Track and Field Championships on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at EastSide Centre in East Peoria. Gorsage recorded a time of 1:53.08 for the title.
MID-ILLINI BOYS TRACK – Dunlap’s Marvin Jordan celebrates after clearing 1.95 meters to win the high jump title during the Mid-Illini Conference Track and Field Championships on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at EastSide Centre in East Peoria.
MID-ILLINI BOYS TRACK – Dunlap’s Patrick Peterson launches the shot put for a conference title during the Mid-Illini Track and Field Championships on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at EastSide Centre in East Peoria. Peterson threw a distance of 18.04 meters to win the event.
MID-ILLINI BOYS TRACK – Metamora’s Jaiduan Cranford, right, takes a peek back at his opponent, Limestone’s DJ Brooks, in the anchor leg of the 4X100-meter relay during the Mid-Illini Track and Field Championships on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at EastSide Centre in East Peoria. Metamora took the conference title with a time of 41.96, with Limestone on their heels at 42.14.
PEKIN HS GRADUATION – Nearly 400 students in bright red caps and gowns celebrate their graduation from Pekin Community High School on Friday, May 15, 2026 on the football field in Pekin.
PEKIN HS GRADUATION – Nearly 400 students in bright red caps and gowns celebrate their graduation from Pekin Community High School on Friday, May 15, 2026 on the football field in Pekin.
PEKIN HS GRADUATION – Nearly 400 students in bright red caps and gowns celebrate their graduation from Pekin Community High School on Friday, May 15, 2026 on the football field in Pekin.
PEKIN HS GRADUATION – Nearly 400 students in bright red caps and gowns celebrate their graduation from Pekin Community High School on Friday, May 15, 2026 on the football field in Pekin.
PEKIN HS GRADUATION – Nearly 400 students in bright red caps and gowns celebrate their graduation from Pekin Community High School on Friday, May 15, 2026 on the football field in Pekin.
MANUAL HS GRADUATION – Manual graduates celebrate with friends after their commencement ceremony Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the Peoria Civic Center.
MANUAL HS GRADUATION – A colorful array of decorated mortar boards is on display during the Manual High School commencement ceremony Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the Peoria Civic Center.
MANUAL HS GRADUATION – An excited Manual graduate waves to well-wishers in the crowd after their commencement ceremony Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the Peoria Civic Center.
MANUAL HS GRADUATION – Decked out in Manual High School orange, a large group makes their presence known to a graduate during their commencement ceremony Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the Peoria Civic Center.
MANUAL HS GRADUATION – A Manual graduate sports a Funko Pop action figure on top of their mortar board during their commencement ceremony Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the Peoria Civic Center.
MANUAL HS GRADUATION – Peoria Public Schools Superintendent Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat, facing, consoles during graduate Natorriah Gore after her emotional commencement address Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the Peoria Civic Center.
MANUAL HS GRADUATION – A Manual graduate is overjoyed during commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the Peoria Civic Center.
PEORIA HS GRADUATION – Peoria High School kicked off Peoria Public Schools’ annual commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the Peoria Civic Center.
PEORIA HS GRADUATION – Peoria High School kicked off Peoria Public Schools’ annual commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the Peoria Civic Center.
PEORIA HS GRADUATION – Peoria High School kicked off Peoria Public Schools’ annual commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the Peoria Civic Center.
PEORIA HS GRADUATION – Peoria High School kicked off Peoria Public Schools’ annual commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the Peoria Civic Center.
PEORIA HS GRADUATION – Peoria High School kicked off Peoria Public Schools’ annual commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the Peoria Civic Center.
PEORIA HS GRADUATION – Peoria High School kicked off Peoria Public Schools’ annual commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the Peoria Civic Center.
RICHWOODS HS GRADUATION – A crowd of about 400 Richwoods High School graduates recite the Pledge of Allegiance before their commencement ceremony Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the Peoria Civic Center.
RICHWOODS HS GRADUATION – A Richwoods High School student’s mortar board displays her future ambitions during their commencement ceremony Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the Peoria Civic Center.
RICHWOODS HS GRADUATION – Crowd members cheer for a Richwoods High School graduate during their commencement ceremony Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the Peoria Civic Center.
RICHWOODS HS GRADUATION – Richwoods High School Principal Bill Robison poses with graduate Darrell Taylor Jr. for a selfie after Taylor’s senior address during their commencement ceremony Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the Peoria Civic Center.
RICHWOODS HS GRADUATION – A Richwoods High School graduate forms a heart shape directed towards the crowd after receiving her diploma during their commencement ceremony Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the Peoria Civic Center.
RICHWOODS HS GRADUATION – A Richwoods High School graduate points to the sky in celebration during their commencement ceremony Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the Peoria Civic Center.
EAST PEORIA HS GRADUATION – An East Peoria Community High School graduate battles a stiff breeze after walking the stage during their commencement ceremony Sunday, May 17, 2026 at EastSide Centre.
EAST PEORIA HS GRADUATION – An East Peoria Community High School graduate wears a large floral arrangement on her mortar board during their commencement ceremony Sunday, May 17, 2026 at EastSide Centre.
EAST PEORIA HS GRADUATION – A pair of East Peoria Community High School graduates congratulate each other after their commencement ceremony Sunday, May 17, 2026 at EastSide Centre.
EAST PEORIA HS GRADUATION – An East Peoria Community High School graduate shows off her diploma to the crowd during their commencement ceremony Sunday, May 17, 2026 at EastSide Centre.
EAST PEORIA HS GRADUATION – An East Peoria Community High School graduate gets a strong group hug after their commencement ceremony Sunday, May 17, 2026 at EastSide Centre.
EAST PEORIA HS GRADUATION – An East Peoria Community High School graduate hugs a loved one after their commencement ceremony Sunday, May 17, 2026 at EastSide Centre.
EAST PEORIA HS GRADUATION – A group of East Peoria Community High School graduates poses for photos after their commencement ceremony Sunday, May 17, 2026 at EastSide Centre.
CAT ORIENTATION – New interns take a break from listening to panelists during the annual Caterpillar summer intern orientation Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at the Edwards Demonstration and Learning Center.
CAT ORIENTATION – Caterpillar chairman and CEO Joe Cree, right, and CHRO Christy Pambianchi talk with hundreds of new interns during the annual Caterpillar summer orientation event Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at the Edwards Demonstration and Learning Center.
CAT ORIENTATION – A new Caterpillar summer intern listens intently to speakers during the annual Caterpilla orientation event Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at the Edwards Demonstration and Learning Center.
CAT ORIENTATION – Caterpillar demonstrator instructor Zach Ziegel shows off some of the AI instructional functions available on a Cat 306 mini-excavator during the annual Caterpillar summer intern orientation Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at the Edwards Demonstration and Learning Center.
CAT ORIENTATION – New Caterpillar summer interns get their mugshots taken for their IDs during the annual Caterpillar orientation event Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at the Edwards Demonstration and Learning Center.
REGIONAL SOFTBALL TITLE – Washington catcher Addy MacGregor puts the tag on Normal West baserunner Kayleigh Olsen for an out at the plate in the second inning of the Class 3A girls softball regional title game Friday, May 22, 2026 in Washington. The Panthers defeated the Wildcats 3-1 to advance to the Lincoln Sectional.
REGIONAL SOFTBALL TITLE – Normal West’s Avery White “swims” to home plate after hitting a home run against Washington in the fourth inning of the Class 3A girls softball regional title game Friday, May 22, 2026 in Washington. The Panthers defeated the Wildcats 3-1 to advance to the Lincoln Sectional.
REGIONAL SOFTBALL TITLE – Washington’s Lyvia Williams, left, and Sophie Walker jumps for joy after taking the lead against Normal West in the sixth inning of the Class 3A girls softball regional title game Friday, May 22, 2026 in Washington. The Panthers defeated the Wildcats 3-1 to advance to the Lincoln Sectional.
GIRLS STATE TRACK – Oregon’s Jillian Hammer reacts at the finish line after winning the Class 1A 300-meter hurdles Saturday, May 23, 2026 at the IHSA State Track and Field Championships at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.
GIRLS STATE TRACK – Eureka’s Reagan Bishop eyes the bar as she competes in the Class 2A pole vault Saturday, May 23, 2026 at the IHSA State Track and Field Championships at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. Bishop took second place in the event.
GIRLS STATE TRACK – Track athletes compete in the Class 2A 1600-meter run Saturday, May 23, 2026 at the IHSA State Track and Field Championships at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.
GIRLS STATE TRACK – Stark County’s Paytin Terwilliger, left, gets down on the track to hug teammate and 4X400-relay anchor Dusti Smith who came from behind to win the event Saturday, May 23, 2026 at the IHSA Class 1A State Track and Field Championships at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.
GIRLS STATE TRACK – Lena-Winslow’s Sienna Hastings celebrates as the anchor of her team’s winning 4X400-meter relay team Saturday, May 23, 2026 at the IHSA Class 1A State Track and Field Championships at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.
GIRLS STATE TRACK – Elmhurst York’s Karlin Janowski sprints hard at the end for a fourth-place finish in the Class 3A 3200-meter run Saturday, May 23, 2026 at the IHSA State Track and Field Championships at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.
SECTIONAL SOCCER – The Dunlap Eagles mob teammate Manuela Botero-Moriarty, third from right, after her goal against Normal West in the second overtime of the Class 2A soccer sectional semifinal Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at McClallen Field in Morton. The Eagles advanced to the title match with a 1-0 victory in double overtime.
SECTIONAL SOCCER – Dunlap goaltender Isabella Kontz slides to stop a breakaway by Normal West’s Sayre McReynolds in the first overtime of the Class 2A soccer sectional semifinal Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at McClallen Field in Morton. The Eagles advanced to the title match with a 1-0 victory in double overtime.
SECTIONAL SOCCER – Dunlap’s Emma Martin kicks the ball between Normal West’s Lily Ewing (25) and Kendall Gonzalez in the first half of the Class 2A soccer sectional semifinal Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at McClallen Field in Morton. The Eagles advanced to the title match with a 1-0 victory in double overtime.
SECTIONAL SOCCER – Dunlap’s Mia Risinger heads the ball over Normal West’s Sayre McReynolds in the second half of the Class 2A soccer sectional semifinal Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at McClallen Field in Morton. The Eagles advanced to the title match with a 1-0 victory in double overtime.
