Forest Preserve District of Will County, Sugar Creek Administration Center

The Forest Preserve District of Will County's fall <a href="https://www.reconnectwithnature.org/be-a-trailblazer-campaign" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Be a Trailblazer</a> experience is underway!
The first mission drop landed on Wednesday, Sept. 23, and the second will come during the week of Nov. 1.
Each drop includes a combination of GPS-based missions in preserves, photo missions and trivia questions. Some photo missions must be completed at specific locations, while others can be done anywhere outdoors.
Missions will be sprinkled across more than a dozen locations.
The fall session of Be a Trailblazer runs through Saturday, Dec. 12. To join, download the free Goosechase app to your smartphone and search for 2026 Be a Trailblazer or enter the code JYBKK4.
Prize pool
Participants are randomly selected to receive prizes funded by <a href="https://www.willcountynature.org/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">The Nature Foundation of Will County</a> and donated by more than 30 local businesses. Nearly 200 prizes worth more than $15,000 will be awarded during the 2026 challenge.
Foundation-funded items include a Fitbit Charge 6, Yeti Roadie 48 cooler and Bonfire 19-inch Solo Stove. 
Donated items include bird-feeding prize packs from Wild Birds Unlimited in Joliet, gift cards from West52 BBQ in Shorewood, wine from Goat &amp; Vine Restaurant and Winery, and golf passes from Prairie Bluff Golf Club in Crest Hill and X-Golf in Shorewood.
For more information, visit <a href="https://www.reconnectwithnature.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">ReconnectWithNature.org</a>.

Local Event: Explore Nature: Join the Be a Trailblazer Experience

Will County

Joliet

Illinois

Explore Nature: Join the Be a Trailblazer...

The Forest Preserve District of Will County's fall Be a Trailblazer experience is underway!
The first mission drop landed on...

Explore Nature: Join the Be a Trailblazer Experience

Wilmington High School

Wilmington IL

Reed-Custer at Wilmington

Grant Creek Prairie Nature Preserve

Nestled in the confluence of the Des Plaines, DuPage, Illinois, and Kankakee Rivers, are a patchwork of remnant prairies that have survived against all odds in the Four Rivers area of Will &amp; Grundy Counties. What was once an uninterrupted landscape of prairie as far as the eye could see, is now a constellation of fragmented sites whose survival hangs in the balance. Home to countless threatened and endangered species, this imperiled ecosystem needs our help. Although these sites have the highest legal protections in the state, they are not spared the degradation that comes from insufficient management resources. Volunteer support can make a life-or-death difference that no land owner or government agency can do alone. The Four Rivers Peregrines will be a new volunteer steward community dedicated to restoring and preserving the remnant prairies of Will &amp; Gundy Counties. Modeled by two communities of “The Peregrines” in the Chicago area, the Four Rivers Peregrines will travel to ecologically important prairies to do targeted restoration work.Might you be inspired to make a difference for nature near you? Everyone has a role to play - learn to chop brush, collect seeds from native plants, and become intimately familiar with the landscape and help provide the specialized care needed to save these prairies for future generations.What to wear: Long sleeves and pants in natural fibers like cotton or wool and close-toed shoes you don't mind getting dirty. Work gloves will be provided, but feel free to bring your own.What to bring: Yourself &amp; your friends! All tools will be provided.RSVP to fourriversperegrines@gmail.com or at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F4i8d1X2%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAcGRvZgFicmlkETFNWTZMMnVrS1BsR1cyUGpWc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHigE6NPDFQA-SG_OctWSoHH5oASXIpIWP4h6eVhRmpj5W6KZ8NW0lp-zs55y_aem_Q7W_fO65zrIusswk6d-iIA&amp;h=AUCRXosg3dv9FtmcM4mKcCCvGeMx6WtQlDixBOEpa-wUMGfkyjo7jYJuK0laQV-ytwgOrZrzQ71yl4cYYq5w3WYW1NhGXAbG_ZfLueXqNGUDkDNqaPVo4VlfuhE9YRnC8AAQJrKs5oO09wnL5-Nen7N-7lez1Sam&amp;__tn__=q&amp;c[0]=AUAU5cf0RJjJD_QuqVMN0chVk3BP7Uy-pZXjHkeq2_CDhgfedgHfki4oMfEmAb8jvnczE6IudOuGWoMVPbaow1u6fiT-2vpfNoUcJMbYyWimhaEa41-bVBJ1cKh1VaIuCUGgYCLitfCDArRQU80pJG-W3SMt4uwOyDc" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://bit.ly/4i8d1X2</a>

Local Event: Kickoff a Stewardship Community @ Grant Creek Prairie

Wilmington

Kickoff a Stewardship Community @ Grant Creek...

Nestled in the confluence of the Des Plaines, DuPage, Illinois, and Kankakee Rivers, are a patchwork of remnant prairies that...

Kickoff a Stewardship Community @ Grant Creek Prairie

Joliet Junior College Event Center

<a href="https://www.MenWhoCook.info" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.MenWhoCook.info</a>
Join <a href="https://www.willcountysao.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow</a> and the <a href="https://www.willcountycac.org/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Will County Children’s Advocacy Center</a> for the 16th Annual <a href="https://www.MenWhoCook.info" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">MEN WHO COOK presented by CITGO</a><a href="https://null" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a>&nbsp;on Saturday, October 17, from 6–9 PM at the <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/DiC8FF8NQtP6YEeH8" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Joliet Junior College Event Center</a>, 1215 Houbolt Road, Joliet, IL. It’s one deliciously fun night where talented men from our community—amateur and professional cooks alike—serve up samples of their favorite APPETIZERS, ENTREES &amp; DESSERTS…and YOU get to decide which dishes deserve bragging rights!
TASTE. JUDGE. HAVE FUN! From savory to sweet, our cooks will pull out all the stops to win your vote. Bring your appetite and enjoy an evening packed with:
● Delicious Food ● Cash Bar by <a href="https://roccitybarandgrill.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Roc City Bar &amp; Grill</a> ● Kids’ Activities ● Raffles
Great food, great fun &amp; a great cause.&nbsp;And the best part? You get to be the judge!
HAVE FUN. MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Your ticket supports the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center, providing HOPE, HEALING &amp; JUSTICE to children who have endured severe physical abuse, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, neglect, and exposure to violence.
100% of proceeds stay local, supporting the CAC’s evidence-based, trauma-focused forensic interview, family advocacy, and trauma therapy services for children and their families.
Founded in 1995 by Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow, the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center brings together law enforcement, prosecutors, DCFS, medical professionals, forensic interviewers, family advocates, and trauma therapists under one roof to help abused children begin their journey toward healing and justice.
GRAB YOUR FRIENDS &amp; FAMILY. COME HUNGRY! You won't leave that way!

Local Event: MEN WHO COOK for the Will County Children's Advocacy Center

MEN WHO COOK for the Will County Children's...

www.MenWhoCook.info
Join Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow and the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center for the 16th...

MEN WHO COOK for the Will County Children's Advocacy Center

626 S Kankakee St, Wilmington, IL 60481-1421, United States

By popular demand, comedian Ted Willson is bringing Chicago Comedy back to his hometown with headliners Jack Baker and Jeffery Hall, featuring Samantha Chiappone and special host Damon Puracchio of That Checks Out. Welcome to the Willmington Comedy Show! Get ready to laugh on Sat Oct 21, 2026 at 7:30 PM (Doors at 6:30) in our cozy venue in the auditorium of St Rose School. Join us for a night filled with hilarious jokes, witty banter, and side-splitting humor. Ted Willson was born and raised in Wilmington and has been asked to bring his comedy show home...again. He has agreed and is bringing his friends with him. Hot Chicago Area comics Jack Baker and Jeffery Hall will be co-headlining. Rising Star Samantha Chiappone will co-feature with Ted, and fellow Wilmington native Damon Puracchio will keep the show moving as the night's Emcee.

Local Event: Willmington Comedy Show

Willmington Comedy Show

By popular demand, comedian Ted Willson is bringing Chicago Comedy back to his hometown with headliners Jack Baker and Jeffery...

St Rose School Auditorium

WILLMINGTON* COMEDY SHOW

Coal City Girls Freshman Volleyball @ Wilmington

John Ferak

Chicago Metropolitan Area

Channahon-Minooka

Lauren Traut

Manhattan

Shorewood

New Lenox

Andrea Earnest

Homer Glen-Lockport

Emily Rosca

Plainfield

Mokena

Frankfort

Romeoville

Will

Hope, healing & justice for abused children.

Will County Children's Advocacy Center

The Will County Children's Advocacy Center was founded in 1995 by State's Attorney James Glasgow to partner with multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) comprised of law enforcement, DCFS investigators, medical personnel, prosecutors, and Will County CAC forensic interviewers, family advocates, and trauma therapists in response to reports of severe physical abuse, sexual abuse, commercial exploitation, neglect, and exposure to violence of children, in Will County, IL. Our Will County CAC intake/MDT coordinator, forensic interviewers, family advocates, and trauma therapists provide the following services: * Forensic Interviews: After a child is referred to the Will County CAC by law enforcement or the IL Dept. of Family Services (DCFS), our Intake Coordinator schedules a forensic interview for the child. One of our 4 forensic interviewers listens to the child’s story and asks non-leading, developmentally-appropriate questions as the child talks about the trauma he/she has experienced. Law enforcement, prosecution, DCFS, and mental health professionals observe the interview from a separate room. This reduces trauma for the child and provides a stronger foundation if the case goes to court. * Family Advocacy: Our family advocates are committed to helping each family navigate the complex systems that a family enters when a child makes an outcry of abuse. As each case goes through the investigation, prosecution and healing process, the team is there to help the family understand the process, learn about their rights and successfully access resources that will help their family during crisis. * Trauma-Focused Therapy: Our team of licensed clinical social workers provide short-term, trauma informed therapy to children who have received a forensic interview. Since child abuse affects the whole family, the services are available at no cost to both the child and their non-offending family members. Individual and group therapy is offered in English and Spanish.

Crest Hill

The Will County Children's Advocacy Center was founded in 1995 by State's Attorney James Glasgow to partner with multidisciplinary teams (MDTs)...

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Events and Things to Do in Wilmington, IL

Wednesday, September 30

Explore Nature: Join the Be a Trailblazer Experience

SEP

30

9:00 AM

Forest Preserve District of Will County, Sugar Creek Administration Center, 17540 W Laraway Rd, Joliet, IL

Also around town...

Please confirm event details with the organizers before attending

Wednesday, September 30

Friday, October 9

Saturday, October 17

Tuesday, October 20

Explore Nature: Join the Be a Trailblazer Experience

Will County Children's Advocacy Center