Manufacturing has come a long way from the dark, dirty factories of yesterday. Meet the educators, businesses and civic leaders who are promoting today’s high-tech, high-skilled manufacturing companies along the I-90 corridor. ...

This winter's fashions look classy and warm against the cool Chicago skyline, captured from the John Hancock Observatory. ...

Meet a Hampshire-area artist who's rekindled a lifelong love for art, and see the dynamic Midwestern images she captures. ...

Every year, hundreds of filmmakers and cinema buffs converge on Beloit for a film festival of international scale. Find out what's coming up in this year's lineup at the Beloit International Film Festival. ...

Learn more about the Civil War and how it's been depicted in classic films and literature, in this special Elmhurst event. ...

The majestic bald eagle is a common sight along the waterways of the Old Northwest Territory. Learn more about how you can find these proud symbols of our nation - right in our own backyards. ...

The only remaining U.S. manufacturer of fine porcelain china got its start locally nearly 117 years ago. Learn why collectors covet this fine pottery and why government officials - including the First Family - still order the company's place settings and gifts of state. ...

When we look around us, it's not difficult to find ever-changing beauty in our natural areas. Meet photographer Tobin Fraley, who has captured thousands of images at Reed-Turner Woodland Nature Preserve near Long Grove. ...

A crown jewel among its peers, Starved Rock State Park celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. Learn about its 10,000 years of human history and how it came to be preserved -- for us. ...

Winter's a great time to freshen up your home. We talked to some of our favorite local designers and home decorators for advice on perking up your hibernation headquarters. ...