How to make an older home more energy efficient

With the cost of comfort rising due to poor federal policies and the rise in artificial intelligence data centers, making your home more energy efficient is a priority for saving money and staying warm as utility costs rise.

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Photo: John Cheathem/PEXELS

Energy loss often begins with small, unnoticed gaps in walls, ceilings, and foundations. Homeowners who want to lower their bills, often look for energy efficiency upgrades to reduce the cost to stay comfortable indoors. Here's tips to spend less on your heating and cooling bills.

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SNS - Many homeowners want to make an older home more energy efficient without losing its original character. Older houses often waste energy through worn materials, outdated systems, and hidden air leaks. These weaknesses affect comfort and raise monthly expenses throughout the year. Drafty rooms, uneven temperatures, and rising bills often signal deeper efficiency problems. Understanding these issues creates a strong foundation for meaningful improvements. With clear planning, even historic homes can reach modern efficiency standards.

Finding the Right Professional Support

Before starting any upgrades, focus on more energy-efficient planning and find the ideal contractor. An experienced professional understands how older structures behave over time and how materials age. They know how to inspect wiring, insulation, and ventilation without damaging original features. A qualified contractor also explains which upgrades offer the best return. Their guidance helps align renovation goals with realistic budgets and timelines. Strong communication reduces misunderstandings and improves project outcomes.

Preparing Your Home Before Work Begins

Successful upgrades depend on preparation, especially when aiming for energy-efficient results. That includes clearing work zones to protect valuables and improve safety for technicians. Organized spaces allow workers to access walls, ceilings, and mechanical systems easily. Proper preparation also prevents accidental damage during construction. When the home is ready, projects move faster and more smoothly.

For homeowners relocating into an older property ahead of planned improvements, preparation often begins with preparing fragile furniture before your movers pick it up, especially when antique pieces, aged wood, or delicate finishes are involved. A smart approach means taking time to identify all fragile furniture items, cleaning each piece before you pack to avoid trapped debris, disassembling items when possible to reduce strain on joints, and using the right packing materials to protect surfaces that may already show wear. Handling these steps early helps you make sure everything's ready while renovations move forward, allowing your attention to stay on energy-efficiency upgrades rather than preventable repairs.

Understanding Where Energy Is Lost

Energy loss often begins with small, unnoticed gaps in walls, ceilings, and foundations. These openings allow heat to escape in winter and enter in summer. As a result, heating and cooling systems must work harder every day. Over time, this constant strain increases wear and energy costs. Thermal imaging and professional inspections can reveal hidden leaks. Locating these weak points helps guide improvement priorities and budget planning.

Make an Older Home More Energy Efficient: Reducing Monthly Utility Expenses

Many homeowners pursue energy efficiency upgrades to reduce their home's monthly bills over time. High energy use often reflects poor insulation, aging equipment, and uncontrolled air leaks. Small improvements like sealing gaps and upgrading lighting can lead to measurable savings within months. As waste decreases, heating and cooling systems operate more efficiently and last longer. These steady reductions in energy use create room for future home investments. Gradual improvements prevent financial strain while delivering consistent, long-term results.

Improving Wall and Attic Insulation

Insulation forms the backbone of energy performance in older homes. Thin or deteriorated materials allow temperature fluctuations throughout the day. Warm air escapes upward, while cold air enters through gaps. Modern insulation stabilizes indoor conditions throughout the year. Better thermal control also reduces strain on mechanical systems. Proper installation ensures long-term durability and comfort.

Upgrading Windows and Sealing Frames

Older windows often lack proper sealing and thermal protection. Drafts around frames create steady energy loss in every season. Condensation may also form on glass surfaces, leading to moisture issues. Installing modern units or sealing existing ones improves indoor stability. Quality caulking and weather stripping enhance performance. These changes also reduce outside noise and improve overall comfort.

Maintaining Heating and Cooling Systems

Heating and cooling systems consume a large share of household energy. Aging equipment loses efficiency through wear and outdated technology. Dust buildup, blocked vents, and worn parts reduce airflow. Routine servicing improves performance and reliability. Upgrading to efficient models further strengthens long-term savings. Well-maintained systems also last longer and break down less often.

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Photo: Mikael Blomkvist/PEXELS

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Preventing Long-Term Structural and Financial Damage

Ignoring repairs makes it harder to make an older home more energy efficient and increases the long-term costs of overlooking them. Water intrusion weakens insulation and framing over time. Cracks expand as moisture spreads through walls and floors. Mold growth further reduces indoor air quality. Delayed maintenance increases repair expenses. Early action protects both energy systems and structural integrity.

Improving Roof Performance and Ventilation

Roofs absorb heat and influence indoor temperatures year-round. Poor ventilation traps warm air in attic spaces. This buildup increases cooling demands during warmer months. Moisture can also collect under roofing materials. Balanced airflow protects insulation and wood framing. Proper roof performance extends the lifespan of the entire structure.

Modernizing Lighting Systems

Outdated lighting wastes electricity and produces excess heat. Incandescent bulbs convert most energy into warmth instead of light. LED bulbs consume less power and last longer. Improved lighting reduces replacement frequency and maintenance costs. Updating fixtures enhances visibility in work and living areas. These small changes add up across the home.

Choosing Energy-Saving Appliances

Older appliances often draw more power than necessary. Refrigerators, washers, and dryers run longer to complete basic tasks. Inefficient motors and outdated controls increase consumption. Energy-rated models operate more efficiently with modern sensors. Replacing outdated units lowers overall household demand. Lower energy use also reduces environmental impact.

Managing Water Heating Efficiency

Water heating represents a major share of energy use in many homes. Older tanks lose heat through weak insulation and aging components. Hot water may cool quickly between uses. Modern systems retain warmth and adjust output to demand. Tankless heaters reduce standby losses. Improved efficiency lowers both water and energy expenses.

Sealing Basements and Crawl Spaces

Basements and crawl spaces allow cold air and moisture to enter living areas. Damp conditions weaken insulation and structural supports. Mold and mildew may develop in poorly sealed spaces. Sealing these areas blocks drafts and reduces humidity. Vapor barriers and insulation improve temperature control. A stable foundation improves overall thermal performance.

Monitoring and Adjusting Energy Use

Tracking energy consumption reveals patterns and problem areas. Smart meters and monitoring tools provide real-time feedback. Monthly reviews show how upgrades affect usage. This information helps homeowners adjust habits effectively. Turning off unused devices reduces unnecessary waste. Awareness strengthens the impact of physical improvements.

Creating a Comfortable and Sustainable Home

Knowing how to make an older home more energy efficient requires steady planning, informed choices, and consistent upkeep. Each improvement reinforces comfort, lowers costs, and protects property value. Connected upgrades work together to strengthen long-term performance. Small actions build lasting results over time. Regular maintenance preserves efficiency gains. With focused effort, an older home becomes reliable, efficient, and resilient.

Viewpoint | Trump's racism can no longer be tolerated

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When confronted with criticism, Trump does not respond with restraint or humility. He responds with provocation, grievance, and racial dehumanization. His latest act crossed an unforgivable line.

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by Van Abbott

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On the night of February 5, 2026, President Donald Trump used his social media platform to circulate a grotesque video that ended by depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as primates. The image invoked one of the oldest and most dehumanizing racist tropes in American history. Its meaning was unmistakable. Coming from a sitting president, it represented a moral breach that demanded immediate repudiation.

Instead, when questioned the following morning, Trump said he had reviewed the post but not in its entirety and deemed it acceptable. If true, that explanation suggests negligence unworthy of the office. If untrue, it suggests something worse. The public is deserving to know who prepared the post, and why was it allowed to remain online for twelve hours? Why did no senior aide accept responsibility for a mistake that, in any functioning administration, would end a career? The absence of accountability speaks for itself.

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Many Republicans will insist they are not racist, and many sincerely believe it.

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Only after sustained public backlash was the post removed. Trump then reversed course, he strongly condemned the image, claimed once again he had not seen the offensive ending, blamed his staff, and still offered no apology. Delay, deflection, and evasion remain his standard responses to moral failure.

This episode fits a long-established pattern. When confronted with criticism, Trump does not respond with restraint or humility. He responds with provocation, grievance, and racial dehumanization.

Many Republicans will insist they are not racist, and many sincerely believe it. Yet millions continue to support the most racially divisive president in modern American history. They excuse the language, minimize the imagery, and rationalize the behavior as strategy or humor. Racism does not require confession. It survives through tolerance, advances through silence, and hardens through justification.

For more than six decades, the United States has struggled toward a broader understanding of equality. Progress has been uneven but real. Through law, protest, and sacrifice, Americans learned that citizenship is not defined by skin color, humanity is not assigned by race, and dignity is not granted by power. That understanding was meant to prevent leaders from reviving the language of dehumanization drawn from the nation’s darkest chapters.

Trump’s record on race long predates his presidency. His father was accused by the federal government of discriminatory housing practices, and Trump carried that legacy forward. In 1989, he purchased full-page newspaper advertisements calling for the death penalty for the Central Park Five, five Black and Latino teenagers later proven innocent. Even after their exoneration, he refused to acknowledge the injustice. He later promoted the false claim that the nation’s first Black president was not a legitimate American, described immigrants from nonwhite countries in degrading terms, amplified white nationalist voices, and told elected officials of color to go back where they came from. These were not isolated incidents but a consistent narrative of exclusion and resentment.

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Anti-Black racism carried a uniquely dehumanizing weight rooted in American history.

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That narrative intensified during his first term and beyond. Racism became a political instrument, used to energize supporters and define enemies. Trump did not merely tolerate racist language. He normalized it and placed it at the center of his political identity.

His staffing decisions reinforced that message. Senior positions were filled for loyalty rather than competence. Officials of color who asserted independence were sidelined or dismissed. Expertise was treated as disloyalty, integrity as opposition, and public service as expendable.

Immigrants and refugees were targeted with particular cruelty, and enforcement favored spectacle over justice. Yet anti-Black racism carried a uniquely dehumanizing weight rooted in American history. The primate image aimed at the Obamas drew directly from that lineage. It was not careless. It was calculated.

At moments of national testing, leaders are judged less by what they provoke than by what they refuse to do. Trump refuses restraint, decency, and accountability. He chooses cruelty over character and division over duty.

This should be the breaking point for Republicans and for Christians who have persuaded themselves that policy outcomes excuse conduct. Faith that tolerates dehumanization is faith emptied of meaning. Patriotism that excuses racism is patriotism stripped of honor. Silence in the face of bigotry is not neutrality. It is permission.

The choice before voters is neither partisan nor abstract. You do not have to abandon conservatism to reject racism. You do not have to embrace every Democratic position to defend democracy. In 2026 and again in 2028, Americans must choose decency over degradation, conscience over comfort, and the rule of law over cult loyalty. History will record who answered that call and who looked away.

About the author ~

Van Abbott is a long time resident of Alaska and California. He has held financial management positions in government and private organizations in California, Kansas, and Alaska. He is retired and writes Op-Eds as a hobby. He served in the Peace Corps in the late sixties. You can find more of his commentaries and comments on life in America on Substack.

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Memory Monday | Tigers' dance team places third at state

Back in 2016, the Crystal Lake Dance Team rose for 5th place in the preliminary round to finish third at the IHSA state dance competition.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

BLOOMINGTON - Members of the Crystal Lake Central High School Dance Team perform at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum during the title round on Saturday, January 30, 2016, at the IHSA Competitive Dance State Finals. By less than a half of a point, the Tigers beat out Yorkville to place third. Oak Forest won the title and Lemont finished in the runnerup spot in the Medium Team division. Here is a look back on their performance.

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TAGS: Crystal Lake Dance Team, Sentinel photo memories, IHSA state dance finals, CLC third at state dance

Photo of the Day | Liberty falls in IHSA state semifinal

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

PEORIA - Liberty's Levi Obert stumbles back a step after colliding with LeRoy's Brett Egan along the sideline during their IHSA semifinal game at Carver Arena. The Eagles were held to just four points in three of the four quarters in their 48-32 loss to the Panthers on Friday, March 11, 2016. Liberty went on to defeat Woodlawn in the third place contest to take home third place at the IHSA Class 1A Boys Basketball State Finals. Obert finished the game with three points and four rebounds.

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TAGS: Photo of the Day,

Viewpoint | Treating parents as sacred: A moral foundation worth preserving

Honoring parents as sacred is not about worship, fear, or unquestioning submission. Critics often worry that reverence discourages independent thinking.

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by Souvik Das
      Guest Viewpoint

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In many households, parents are often described—sometimes affectionately, sometimes with deep seriousness—as “next to God”. For generations, this idea has shaped family life, moral learning, and the way children relate to authority. Today, however, such thinking is increasingly criticized. Treating parents as sacred or godlike figures, critics argue, promotes blind obedience, discourages questioning, and obstructs individual autonomy. But is this criticism entirely fair?

At its best, regarding parents as sacred is not about worship, fear, or unquestioning submission. It is about moral orientation—the earliest framework through which a child learns humility, gratitude, restraint, and respect, long before abstract ideas of rights or autonomy make sense. Understood symbolically rather than literally, parental reverence plays a quiet but powerful role in shaping character.

Children are not born morally autonomous. They begin their life dependent—emotionally, physically, and morally. In these early years, treating parents as figures deserving special respect creates a stable moral framework. It teaches children that their impulses are not always supreme, that others matter, and that patience and self-control are virtues worth cultivating. These lessons are not signs of weakness; they are foundations of emotional strength and social responsibility.

Critics often worry that reverence discourages independent thinking. In reality, moral autonomy does not appear overnight. It grows gradually from discipline, emotional regulation, and respect for limits. A child who has learned calmness and gratitude is far better equipped to question responsibly later than one who has been encouraged to challenge everything from the start. Independence without inner discipline often leads not to freedom, but to restlessness, anxiety, and conflict.

Importantly, treating parents as sacred does not mean believing they are infallible. Parents can make mistakes. They can be inconsistent, unfair, or wrong. Reverence, when healthy, does not deny this. It simply delays judgment until the child is mature enough to understand complexity. Just as we do not expect children to independently evaluate laws or institutions, it is unreasonable to expect them to morally audit their parents from the very beginning.

There are, of course, limitations. Criminality, abuse, neglect, and exploitation destroy the moral foundation of parental authority. In such cases, reverence is not only unnecessary but harmful. Acknowledging these exceptions, however, does not invalidate the general value of parental respect in ordinary families. Moral principles are judged by how they function in typical circumstances, not by their breakdown in extreme ones.

Setting aside these exceptional cases, parental reverence in everyday family life should remain the default human moral culture. In ordinary, well-intentioned parenting, such reverence fosters calmness, emotional stability, and steady improvement in life. It reduces unnecessary moral friction within the household and creates an environment in which children can flourish—learning discipline and gratitude first, and independence later.

In an age marked by impatience, anxiety, and constant moral confrontation, we should ask what kind of upbringing helps children grow into calm, responsible, and socially productive adults. Symbolic reverence toward parents provides clear boundaries and emotional security, freeing a child’s energy for learning, creativity, and cooperation rather than constant resistance.

Treating parents as sacred is not about returning to blind tradition or silencing children’s voices. It is about recognizing a simple moral truth: before autonomy can flourish, stability must exist. Before critique, there must be character. And before independence, there must be respect. Perhaps the real question, then, is not whether this idea is outdated—but whether we have been too quick to abandon a moral foundation that quietly worked.

Souvik Das is a Senior Research Fellow (SRF) in the Department of Physics at Tezpur University. He writes occasionally on social and ethical issues in a personal capacity.

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Organizers expect 9 million participants at March 28 No Kings

The protest movement that drew 7 million in October is returning March 28. Organizers are mobilizing for the largest No Kings protest yet, targeting 9 million participants for March 28 demonstrations nationwide.

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URBANA - Organizers behind the nationwide "No Kings" protest movement are planning their third demonstration on March 28, anticipating nearly 9 million participants across the country in what has become the largest sustained protest movement of President Donald Trump's second term. The No Kings Coalition, led by the progressive grassroots organization Indivisible, said the event will include a flagship march in Minneapolis and demonstrations in cities nationwide, according to organizers.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Hundreds participated in downtown Urbana's NO KINGS! protest last October organized by local chapters of Indivisible. A larger twin city turnout is expected in March.

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The protests have grown dramatically since their inception, according to organizers. Indivisible estimated 3 million people participated in its "Hands Off" rally in April 2025, followed by 5 million at the first "No Kings" protest in June and 7 million at the second demonstration in October. Ezra Levin, a co-founder of Indivisible, said the upcoming March 28 event is a response to what organizers describe as federal enforcement actions in Minnesota and other states.

"No Kings 3 is very clearly about the secret police force terrorizing Americans and killing some of them," Levin said in an interview. Organizers cite recent incidents in Minnesota as motivation for staging the flagship event in Minneapolis, including the deployment of what the Trump administration has characterized as its largest immigration enforcement operation in the state, with 3,000 agents sent to Minnesota.

The No Kings Coalition launched its Eyes on ICE training program on Monday, a virtual training session designed to equip participants with tools to exercise their rights and monitor federal enforcement actions, according to organizers. The first training drew more than 200,000 viewers, with additional nationwide trainings planned, including one scheduled for Feb. 5.

Organizers say the protests are part of a broader resistance to Trump administration policies that began when the president returned to office a year ago. The October demonstration, which organizers said drew participants in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and cities worldwide, featured more than 2,700 events under the message that "America has no kings, and the power belongs to the people," according to organizers.

The coalition has activated what it describes as an immediate and ongoing nationwide digital organizing effort leading up to the March 28 mobilization. Organizers say Minnesota has become a focal point in the conflict between progressive activists and the White House over immigration enforcement, though the administration has defended its operations as lawful enforcement of federal immigration laws.

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Morris wins first state cheer title in school history

The Morris cheerleading squad maintained their first-place position after Friday's prelims at the IHSA Competitive Dance State Finals to win this year's championship trophy.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Members of the Morris High School competitive cheerleading team strike a pose during their performance at this year’s state cheerleading championships on Saturday. Earning a 96.14, nearly a two-point lead over their nearest competitor during Friday’s preliminary competition, the Morris Varsity Cheer Team went on to take the title on Saturday with an even better score of 96.60, taking home the program’s first state championship trophy in the sport. Story and more photos coming later this week.

Want to see more photos from this performance? Fill out our photo request form.

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TAGS: 2026 IHSA cheerleading champions, Morris Varsity Cheer Team, Class 2A cheerleading state champions, competitive cheerleading, Morris Class 2A state champions

Celtics finish third at state cheer

The Providence Catholic cheerleading team places in the top three in Class 2A at the state dance championships.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

BLOOMINGTON - Members of the Providence Catholic cheerleading team celebrate with their third-place trophy at the IHSA Competitive Cheerleading State Finals on Saturday. After finishing in fifth place in Friday’s preliminary round, the Celtics cheer squad moved up in the final standings, scoring a 94.68 behind champion Morris and runner-up Grayslake Central. Story and more photos later this week.

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TAGS: Providence Catholic finishes third at state, IHSA state cheerleading, Celtics Varsity Cheerleading squad. Providence Catholic cheerleading photos

Throwback Thursday | Geneseo's Pitra places third at state

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

CHAMPAIGN - Geneseo's Ryan Pitra celebrates his 3-1 overtime victory over Springfield's Harrison Williams in their 3rd place match at the IHSA Individual Wrestling State Finals on Saturday afternoon, February 22, 2014. Williams had defeated Pitra earlier in their second-round 182 pound by pin, and he wasn't about to let it happen again, earning 3-1 decision in overtime. The junior went 5-1 for the weekend with wins also over St. Laurence's Kyle Tetlow, Anton Krocko from Hampshire, Christopher Malone and Montini's Derrick Curry.

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Check back every Thursday for the latest edition to The Sentinel's Throwback Thursday series

Throwback Thursday | Annawan ladies fall In tough battle at State Farm Classic

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

NORMAL - Annawan's Morgan Van Hyfte battles for a loose ball with two Central Catholic players during their State Farm Holiday Classic game on Tuesday, December 29, 2015. The Bravettes led at the half by two and went on to fall in a thriller 61-56 to the Lady Saints.

Check back every Thursday for the latest edition to The Sentinel's Throwback Thursday series

Exterior home makeover, make a statement with stone veneer

Homeowners and professionals can create regionally authentic, contemporary designs with flexibility, durability, and affordability with manufactured stone veneer.

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Family Features - Manufactured stone veneer (MSV) brings timeless design to any space, but it’s far from “one size fits all.” Styles, colors and texture preferences often vary by geography, climate and architectural tradition.

Today, homeowners, builders and designers alike are increasingly drawn to regionally inspired looks that complement local landscapes and home styles. As trends evolve, MSV has risen in popularity for its versatility and ability to reliably embody authentic regional materials. The styles that dominated a few years ago have shifted, giving way to fresh combinations of palettes and textures.

Selecting the right stone allows projects to blend seamlessly with their surroundings, enhancing both curb appeal and resale value. Regional architecture can serve as a helpful guide, whether your inspiration comes from coastal cottages, Southwestern adobes, New England farmhouses or Midwest craftsman homes.

While some homeowners use quarried natural stone to achieve the look they desire, MSV offers a cost-effective alternative with serious durability and minimal maintenance.

With consistent quality, easy installation and a wide range of options, Westlake Royal Stone Solutions’ multiple product lines make it simple to achieve authentic, regionally inspired designs. The Eldorado Stone collection, for instance, features everything from coral stone and rustic fieldstone to meticulously handcrafted brick, wood-look textures and more.

Whether you’re looking to embrace styles from your own region or draw inspiration from another part of the country, these insights can help you craft a design aesthetic that feels both current and connected.

Northeast: Aesthetics tend toward warmth with neutral colors and natural materials that reflect the coastal geography and design elements that echo the local environment. Natural materials like wood and stone are common, as are distressed or weathered looks that lend an antique or vintage feel. When it comes to stonework, in this region you can expect to find an array of cool grays, ledgestone profiles and rugged textures echoing historic masonry.

Southeast: The timeless charm of a Southern home blends numerous elements to create a look that is inviting but still traditional. Symmetrical facades, architectural details like porches or columns and rich wood accents are popular choices, as are earthy tones, brick and wood accents. Stone aesthetics lean toward warmer earth tones and tumbled looks that complement brick blends and traditional styles.

Midwest: Look for simple designs with clean edges, neutral tones and natural materials. Decor leans toward rustic or country with touches that elicit a feeling of comfort and relaxation. Neutral or mixed-tone fieldstones and contemporary stacked stone profiles are particularly popular for both interior and exterior elements of craftsman or transitional homes.

Southwest: Contrary to the perception of a drab brown desert, local geography lends character to design with vibrant earthy palettes. Natural woodwork textures that contrast with rustic features like metals create a distinctive aesthetic. Lighter, sandy hues of stonework and smooth or elongated profiles that reflect desert landscapes and Spanish-influenced architecture are common among Southwest homes.

West Coast: Further west, you’ll see a transition from warm, desert-inspired neutrals to cooler, ocean-like tones. Architecture leans toward modernism with a casual, relaxed vibe. Designs that promote a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor living are common. Complementing organic wood and natural textile selections are often modern, linear styles with cooler neutrals and greige palettes for clean, coastal or urban designs.

Practical Tips for Choosing Stone Veneer

MSV can add eye-catching ambiance to your home, whether you’re using it inside or out, for a big statement or subtle accent. It’s a popular choice due to its durability and affordability. MSV also comes in a range of options, making it easy to find a match for your home’s design.

• Look at nearby historic and new builds to guide your palette and profile selection.
• Consider how your selection will integrate with your home’s complementary materials, such as brick, siding, exposed wood or trim, and colors.
• Work with local dealers or design professionals to help you pinpoint region-specific recommendations.

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TAGS: manufactured stone veneer regional home design ideas, benefits of manufactured stone veneer vs natural stone, best stone veneer styles for different climates, how to choose stone veneer for curb appeal, regionally inspired exterior design with MSV

Spartans mark decade since historic 2016 basketball championship

The Spartans secured the 2016 Class 2A championship with decisive performances in the state semifinals and finals. St. Joseph-Ogden defeated Breese Central after a strong second half in the semifinal. The following day, the team topped Rockridge behind balanced scoring and a standout second quarter.

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Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Spartans' Kohlten Johnson slashes to the paint in SJO's semifinal game against Breese Central. Johnson and the 13 members of the 2016 basketball team will be honored on Friday, February 13, in a 10-year anniversary celebration.

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ST. JOSEPH - On Friday, Feb. 13, St. Joseph-Ogden will hold a 10-year anniversary recognition ceremony for the school’s first and only state championship basketball team. The celebration will be held between the JV and varsity home games against Bloomington Central Catholic.

The Spartans won the Class 2A title on the strength of a 10-game winning streak to close the season. After a rough start against Breese Central in the first half of the state semifinal, the Spartans gelled into a dominant force at Carver Arena, overpowering the Cougars in the second half offensively and defensively for a 60-48 finish.

A day later, SJO faced Rockridge for the title and put on a dazzling shooting display in the second quarter that matched the Rockets’ entire first-half 22-point output. Behind a game-high 20 points from Brandon Trimble and 14 from Jake Pence, St. Joseph-Ogden secured the state title in another dominant display, 61-43.

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Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

RIGHT: Jake Pence unloads a shot against Breese Central in Friday's semifinal game. LEFT: Brandon Trimble takes a shot over a Rockridge player in the Class 2A title game. Trimble led all scorers with 20 points. BELOW: St. Joseph-Ogden fans cheer for their team on Friday in the team's game against the Cougars.

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“We had high expectations coming into the year. The guys set a goal of coming to Peoria,” SJO head coach Brian Brooks told reporters in the postgame presser. “We started slow but football went deep, which was great. Those experiences, I believe, bled over into basketball and being able to handle those.”

Prior to the 2016 title run, St. Joseph-Ogden had made two previous state appearances, once in 2007 and again in 2013. All three state finalist teams were under the leadership of Brooks, now the superintendent and currently coaching the Spartan girls' basketball team for one year due to the head coach on deployment with the National Guard.

The JV game against the Saints tips off at 5:30 p.m.

2015-16 St. Joseph-Ogden Boys Basketball Roster

No.	Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
1	Ty Brown	G	6-0	165	Sr.
3	Brandon Trimble	G	6-2	170	Jr.
4	Brandon Dable	F	6-2	190	Jr.
10	Drayke Lannert	G	5-10	150	Jr.
11	Kolten Taylor	G	5-11	160	Jr.
12	Garrett Grimsley	G	5-9	140	Sr.
15	Aaron Schluter	F	6-2	210	Sr.
21	Tegan Poole	F	5-9	175	Jr.
22	Jake Pence	G	6-0	160	Sr.
23	Kohlten Johnson	F	6-3	185	Sr.
30	Jordan Brooks	G	5-10	145	So.
32	Brody Trimble	F	6-3	190	Sr.
33	Eli Oltean	F	6-2	190	Sr.
35	Ryan Ferriman	F	5-11	195	So.

Assistant Coaches: Kiel Duval, Mike Bialeschki, Isaiah Olson
Managers: Bryce Kelly, Kenzie Pence, Madi Smith, Emma Melchior

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Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

SJO student fans show their enthusiasum before the start 2016 title game.

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Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Jordan Brooks gives his dad and coach Brian Brooks a hug during the awards ceremony.

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Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Garrett Grimsley holds SJO's Class 2A championship trophy during the postgame awards ceremony.

Photo of the Day | Anniversary year: Spartans win 2A championship title

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

PEORIA - With the game in hand, Ty Brown hugs teammate Kohlten Johnson as the final minute of St. Joseph-Ogden's 2016 Class 2A championship game against Rockridge. The Spartans defeated the Rockets 61-43 to win the school's first state basketball title in school history. This year is the tenth anniversary of the historic victory.

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TAGS: Photo of the Day, St. Joseph-Ogden basketball state champions, IHSA basketball, SJO vs Rockridge

How to vote in Illinois in 2026: Early voting begins this week for most of the state

Voters in most of the state’s counties can cast their vote in the March primary as soon as Feb. 5 at their local election authority. Chicago and suburban Cook County offer early voting beginning between Feb. 12 and March 2, depending on where you live.

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by Jenna Schweikert & UIS Public Affairs Reporting
Capitol News Illinois

Capitol News Illinois has launched its revamped 2026 Election Guide to coincide with the opening of early voting throughout much of the state.

The guide has a rundown of key dates, information on how to register and vote early, and a lookup tool to put voters in touch with their local election authority. It also links to our coverage of the various races for statewide office.

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Access the guide here

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Early voting opens

The guide launched this week to coincide with early voting opening on Feb. 5 for the March 17 primary in most of the state, outside of Cook County. Early voting kicks off on Feb. 12 in downtown Chicago and either Feb. 18 or March 2 in suburban Cook County, depending on where you live. Early voting for all jurisdictions ends on March 16.

Most early voting takes place at the local election authority’s offices, which for most residents is their county clerk’s office. Some churches, libraries, colleges and universities and other government buildings are also offering early voting. Voters can find local polling locations and hours at the Illinois State Board of Elections website.

Registration is also open at most polling locations through Feb. 17. Grace period registration, available at some polling locations, opens Feb. 18 and closes on Election Day, March 17.

Registration is also open online at ova.elections.il.gov until March 1 and will reopen on March 19.

Registration identification

Any voter who needs to register for the first time or file an address change must present two forms of ID, one of which shows the voter's current address.

Valid forms of identification include work, school, state and military ID, passports and drivers licenses, leases and mortgages, utility bills, vehicle registration, credit and debit cards and insurance cards.

Voters who do not present a valid form of ID if needed can cast a provisional ballot and present ID to the election authority by March 24.

ID requirements vary at polling locations, but election authorities recommend bringing at least one form of identification in case of any questions.

Mail-in ballots

Mail-in ballots will also be sent to voters who’ve requested them beginning Feb. 5. The last day to request a mail-in ballot is March 12.

They must be postmarked by Election Day, but county clerks recommend mailing these ballots at least a week in advance of the election, due to United States Postal Service changes that could delay mail.

Election authorities will also accept mail ballots delivered by hand, and some have drop boxes where ballots can be delivered. Voters who requested a mail-in ballot can still vote in person but must surrender the mailed ballot before doing so.

Polls will be open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. If voters are in line before the polls close, they are guaranteed a chance to vote.

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.

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