Jessi Virtusio

Jessi Virtusio is a freelance writer for the Chicago Tribune.

The annual "Turkey Trot" race stepped off early morning on Nov. 23, 2025 with more than 2,000 participants registered for the event at Proesel Park in Lincolnwood. (Talia Sprague/ for Pioneer Press)

Runners and walkers round the course in the ‘Turkey Trot’ race at Proesel Park in Lincolnwood

December 11, 2025 at 2:51 p.m.

More than 2,000 participants were registered for the annual “Lincolnwood Turkey Trot” 5K and 10K race in Lincolnwood, stepping off in what organizers say was a sell-out event. Race Director...

After a adjusting to the quick date change, Niles residents and others from nearby towns packed Golf Mill Park Nov. 28, 2025 for "Holly Jolly Fest" in Niles. (John Konstantaras/forPioneer Press)

Crowd quickly adjusted to ‘Holly Jolly’ date change in Niles, then showed up as they have each holiday season

December 9, 2025 at 3:15 p.m.

The last-minute rescheduling of “Holly Jolly Fest” in Niles earlier this month due to forecast of a major snowfall may have been a scramble, but village officials said the date...

Church-goers sing a hymn during an Interfaith Community Thanksgiving service at Central United Methodist Church in Skokie on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Talia Sprague / Pioneer Press)

Interfaith service brings diverse worshippers together at Thanksgiving time, raises funds for Turning Point mental health center

December 2, 2025 at 3:43 p.m.

A longstanding annual event in Niles Township brought together people from several religions just before Thanksgiving Day, continuing a tradition and offering a universal message of hope and gratitude. A...

Curtain Call Theatre stages “Inherit the Wind” from Sept. 26 to Oct. 5 in Mokena. The show is billed as a riveting drama of ideas, freedom and faith. (Curtain Call Theatre)

‘Inherit the Wind,’ a fictionalized version of the Scopes Monkey Trial, comes to Curtain Call Front Street Theatre in Mokena

September 26, 2025 at 10:50 a.m.

Mokena's Curtain Call Front Street Theatre's cast includes actors from Chicago, Hickory Hills, Mokena, Orland Park and Tinley Park.

Jessi Virtusio

All Stories

Runners and walkers round the course in the ‘Turkey Trot’ race at Proesel Park in Lincolnwood

Crowd quickly adjusted to ‘Holly Jolly’ date change in Niles, then showed up as they have each holiday season

Interfaith service brings diverse worshippers together at Thanksgiving time, raises funds for Turning Point mental health center

‘Inherit the Wind,’ a fictionalized version of the Scopes Monkey Trial, comes to Curtain Call Front Street Theatre in Mokena

Morton Grove library brings vocalists, bands to its ‘Front Porch’ for series of concerts

Lehigh Avenue water main break likely due to ‘age of that pipe’ that connects to a fire hydrant

Lincoln Avenue international flag display ‘represents the diverse populations’ of Lincolnwood

Park Ridge library ends summer reading program with lawn party: ‘Every year … gets better and better’

Niles is starting a new tradition with ‘Founders Day’ event that’s hopefully ‘a way to bring people together’

Niles junior police academy gives ‘enthusiastic group’ of middle schoolers a glimpse at policing