339 Illinois Newspapers Now Online for Your Genealogy Research

Today Illinois celebrates the 195th anniversary of its statehood—the “Prairie State” was admitted into the Union on 3 December 1818 as the 21st state. The date on the official state seal, 26 August 1818, commemorates the adoption of Illinois’ first constitution that paved the way for statehood.

photo of the official state seal of Illinois
Illustration: official state seal of Illinois. Credit: Wikipedia.

If you are researching your family roots in Illinois, you will want to use GenealogyBank’s online Illinois newspaper archives: 339 titles to help you search your family history in the “Land of Lincoln,” providing coverage from 1818 to Today.

Dig in and search for obituaries and other news articles about your ancestors in these recent and historical IL newspapers online:

Search Illinois Newspaper Archives (1818 – 2010)

Search Illinois Recent Obituaries (1985 – Today)

Do you research your Illinois ancestry frequently? Download the PDF version of our Illinois newspaper list by clicking on the graphic below and save the file locally on your computer. Whenever you are ready to start researching your genealogy in the archives, simply click on the newspaper name (in blue) to go directly to your newspaper title of interest at GenealogyBank.

Illinois Newspaper List for GenealogyHave a blog or website? Use the embed code below to share our list with your visitors.

Here is our complete list of online Illinois newspapers, divided into two collections: Historical Newspapers (complete paper) and Recent Obituaries. Each newspaper title in this list is an active link that will take you directly to that paper’s search page, where you can begin searching for your ancestors by surnames, dates, keywords and more.

Discover your family’s story in a variety of genealogy records and news stories in these 62 Illinois historical newspapers, listed alphabetically by city:

Search recent obituary records for your relatives in these 277 Illinois newspapers, listed alphabetically by city:

  • Argus-Sentinel (Abingdon, Avon, St. Augustine) 4/14/2011 – Current
  • Addison Press (Addison) 2/15/2007 – Current
  • Times Record (Aledo) 3/5/2009 – Current
  • Algonquin Countryside (Algonquin) 1/9/1997 – 11/15/2006
  • Algonquin Countryside with News of Lake in the Hills (Algonquin) 11/23/2006 – 11/20/2008
  • Antioch Review (Antioch) 5/21/1998 – 4/14/2011
  • Daily Herald (Arlington Heights) 3/7/1995 – Current
  • Arlington Heights Journal (Arlington Heights) 1/12/2011 – Current
  • Arlington Heights Post (Arlington Heights) 1/9/1997 – 3/10/2011
  • Eagle-Scribe (Augusta) 4/14/2011 – Current
  • Beacon News (Aurora) 1/1/1997 – Current
  • Beacon News, The: Web Edition Articles (Aurora) 3/28/2012 – Current
  • Barrington Courier-Review (Barrington) 2/22/1996 – Current
  • Bartlett Press (Bartlett) 2/15/2007 – Current
  • Batavia Republican (Batavia) 2/15/2007 – Current
  • Sun, The: Batavia (Batavia) 9/4/2002 – 5/5/2010
  • Belleville Journal (Belleville) 10/20/2004 – 8/28/2005
  • Belleville News-Democrat (Belleville) 10/17/2000 – Current
  • Belleville News-Democrat: Blogs (Belleville) 5/22/2009 – Current
  • St. Clair County Journal (Belleville) 11/24/2004 – 8/31/2011
  • Bensenville Press (Bensenville) 3/14/2007 – Current
  • Benton Evening News (Benton) 2/18/2001 – 11/15/2011
  • Berkeley Suburban Life (Berkeley) 4/14/2007 – Current
  • Berwyn Life (Berwyn) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Bloomingdale Press (Bloomingdale) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Pantagraph (Bloomington) 10/1/1989 – Current
  • Reporter (Bolingbrook) 2/23/2007 – Current
  • Sun, The: Bolingbrook (Bolingbrook) 9/6/2002 – 3/19/2010
  • Braidwood Journal (Braidwood) 2/1/2007 – Current
  • Broadview Suburban Life (Broadview) 3/6/2007 – Current
  • Brookfield Suburban Life (Brookfield) 2/23/2007 – Current
  • Buffalo Grove Countryside (Buffalo Grove) 1/2/1997 – Current
  • Buffalo Grove Journal (Buffalo Grove) 12/30/2010 – Current
  • Burr Ridge Suburban Life (Burr Ridge) 2/20/2007 – Current
  • Doings (Burr Ridge, Darien, Willowbrook) 4/28/2005 – Current
  • Cambridge Chronicle (Cambridge) 1/1/2010 – Current
  • Daily Ledger (Canton) 10/5/2009 – Current
  • Southern Illinoisan (Carbondale) 2/11/2002 – Current
  • Carmi Times (Carmi) 10/22/2009 – Current
  • Carol Stream Examiner (Carol Stream) 4/6/2011 – Current
  • Carol Stream Press (Carol Stream) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Hancock County Journal-Pilot (Carthage) 6/21/2000 – Current
  • Cary Grove Countryside (Cary Grove) 8/27/1998 – 3/10/2011
  • IlliniHQ (Champaign) 3/25/1998 – Current
  • News-Gazette (Champaign, Urbana) 6/2/1997 – Current
  • News-Gazette, The: Web Edition Articles (Champaign, Urbana) 2/10/2003 – Current
  • Times-Courier (Charleston) 4/13/2004 – Current
  • Randolph County Herald Tribune (Chester) 4/30/2009 – 10/27/2011
  • Chicago Citizen (Chicago) 11/5/2008 – Current
  • Chicago Crusader (Chicago) 11/26/2011 – Current
  • Chicago Defender (Chicago) 4/9/2008 – Current
  • Chicago Journal (Chicago) 9/30/2009 – Current
  • Chicago Sun-Times (Chicago) 1/1/1986 – Current
  • Chicago Sun-Times: Blogs (Chicago) 2/20/2008 – Current
  • Chicago Sun-Times: Web Edition Articles (Chicago) 3/26/2012 – Current
  • Chicago Tribune (Chicago) 1/1/1985 – Current
  • Chicago Tribune RedEye Edition (Chicago) 10/30/2002 – Current
  • Chillicothe Times-Bulletin (Chillicothe) 11/3/2009 – Current
  • Daily Southtown (Chicago) 7/31/2004 – 11/17/2007
  • Extra (Chicago) 3/25/2011 – Current
  • Hyde Park Herald (Chicago) 1/6/2010 – Current
  • Skyline (Chicago) 12/8/2005 – 12/6/2007
  • Cicero Life (Cicero) 2/13/2007 – Current
  • Clarendon Hills Suburban Life (Clarendon Hills) 3/13/2007 – Current
  • Doings (Clarendon Hills) 4/28/2005 – Current
  • Coal City Courant (Coal City) 2/1/2007 – Current
  • Collinsville Herald (Collinsville) 10/20/2004 – Current
  • Clarion Journal (Columbia) 10/20/2004 – 8/31/2011
  • Booster (Cook County) 12/3/2007 – 1/9/2008
  • Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake) 1/1/2005 – Current
  • Commercial-News (Danville) 11/6/2007 – Current
  • Darien Suburban Life (Darien) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Herald & Review (Decatur) 3/19/1990 – Current
  • Deerfield Review (Deerfield) 1/9/1997 – Current
  • Daily Chronicle (DeKalb) 8/16/2000 – Current
  • Des Plaines Journal (Des Plaines) 12/28/2010 – Current
  • Des Plaines Times (Des Plaines) 12/12/1996 – 12/24/2008
  • Edgebrook Times Review (Des Plaines) 1/16/1997 – 1/24/2008
  • Mount Prospect Journal (Des Plaines) 1/12/2011 – Current
  • Rosemont Journal (Des Plaines) 12/31/2010 – Current
  • Sauk Valley Newspapers (Dixon) 10/13/2009 – Current
  • Downers Grove Reporter (Downers Grove) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Sun (Downers Grove) 9/5/2002 – 2/4/2010
  • Du Quoin Evening Call (Du Quoin) 10/5/2009 – Current
  • Cahokia-Dupo Journal (Dupo) 10/20/2004 – 8/31/2005
  • East Dubuque Register (East Dubuque) 1/24/2003 – 7/1/2011
  • East St. Louis Journal (East St. Louis) 10/20/2004 – 8/17/2005
  • News-Star (Edgewater) 11/16/2005 – 1/9/2008
  • Edwardsville Intelligencer (Edwardsville) 7/4/2000 – Current
  • Edwardsville Journal (Edwardsville) 10/20/2004 – 10/8/2008
  • Effingham Daily News (Effingham) 9/19/2005 – Current
  • Elburn Herald (Elburn) 10/9/2008 – Current
  • Courier News (Elgin) 7/4/1998 – Current
  • Courier News: Web Edition Articles (Elgin) 3/27/2012 – Current
  • Elk Grove Times (Elk Grove) 3/19/1998 – 1/15/2009
  • Elk Grove Journal (Elk Grove Village) 1/12/2011 – Current
  • Doings (Elmhurst) 4/28/2005 – 4/14/2011
  • Elmhurst Press (Elmhurst) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Elm Leaves (Elmwood Park) 1/1/1997 – Current
  • Evanston Now (Evanston) 3/10/2008 – Current
  • Evanston Review (Evanston) 1/9/1997 – Current
  • Clay County Advocate-Press (Flora) 8/5/2008 – Current
  • Forest View Life (Forest View) 2/20/2007 – Current
  • Franklin Park Herald-Journal (Franklin Park) 1/1/1997 – 11/8/2006
  • Franklin Park Herald-Journal with News of North Lake (Franklin Park) 11/15/2006 – Current
  • Journal-Standard (Freeport) 12/14/2002 – Current
  • Paper (Galesburg) 1/26/2011 – Current
  • Register-Mail (Galesburg) 1/5/1999 – Current
  • Galva News (Galva) 12/30/2009 – Current
  • Geneseo Republic (Geneseo) 12/17/2009 – Current
  • Geneva Republican (Geneva) 2/20/2007 – Current
  • Kane County Chronicle (Geneva) 12/10/2005 – Current
  • Sun, The: Geneva-Elburn (Geneva) 10/9/2002 – 12/29/2004
  • Glen Ellyn News (Glen Ellyn) 2/13/2007 – Current
  • Sun, The: Glen Ellyn (Glen Ellyn) 12/24/2004 – 5/7/2010
  • Glencoe News (Glencoe) 1/9/1997 – Current
  • Glendale Heights Press (Glendale Heights) 2/15/2007 – Current
  • Glenview Announcements (Glenview) 1/9/1997 – Current
  • Glenview Journal (Glenview) 1/12/2011 – Current
  • Granite City Press-Record (Granite City) 10/20/2004 – Current
  • Grayslake Review (Grayslake) 2/13/1997 – 4/14/2011
  • Lake County Journal (Grayslake) 11/1/2008 – Current
  • Gurnee Review (Gurnee) 2/13/1997 – 4/14/2011
  • Hanover Park Press (Hanover Park) 2/15/2007 – Current
  • Times (Harlem, Irving) 11/4/2004 – 1/24/2008
  • Harrisburg Daily Register (Harrisburg) 11/4/1996 – Current
  • Harvard Main Line (Harvard) 1/7/2011 – Current
  • Norridge News (Harwood Heights) 1/9/1997 – Current
  • Spokesman (Herrin) 2/24/2011 – Current
  • Highland Park News (Highland Park) 1/9/1997 – Current
  • Hillside Suburban Life (Hillside) 2/26/2007 – Current
  • Proviso Herald (Hillside) 11/15/2006 – 3/10/2011
  • West Proviso Herald (Hillside) 1/1/1997 – 11/8/2006
  • Doings (Hinsdale) 4/28/2005 – Current
  • Hinsdale Suburban Life (Hinsdale) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Hodgkins Suburban Life (Hodgkins) 4/12/2007 – Current
  • Hoffman Estates Review (Hoffman Estates) 1/1/1998 – 12/25/2008
  • Sun, The: Homer Township-Lockport-Lemont (Homer, Lemont, Lockport) 9/4/2002 – 4/28/2010
  • Farmside (Huntley) 3/23/2007 – Current
  • Indian Head Park Suburban Life (Indian Head Park) 2/23/2007 – Current
  • Itasca Press (Itasca) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Times (Jefferson Park, Portage Park, Belmont Cragin) 11/4/2004 – 1/24/2008
  • Herald News (Joliet) 1/2/1997 – Current
  • Star-Courier (Kewanee) 10/16/2009 – Current
  • La Grange Park Suburban Life (La Grange Park) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Doings (La Grange, La Grange Park, La Grange Highlands) 4/28/2005 – Current
  • NewsTribune (La Salle) 9/24/1997 – Current
  • Lake Forester (Lake Forest) 1/16/1997 – Current
  • Booster (Lake View, North Center, Roscoe Village, Avondale) 12/21/2005 – 11/7/2007
  • Lake Villa Review (Lake Villa) 2/13/1997 – 4/14/2011
  • Lake Zurich Courier (Lake Zurich) 1/16/1997 – Current
  • Lake in the Hills Countryside (Lake in the Hills) 7/10/2003 – 11/9/2006
  • Lemont Reporter Metropolitan (Lemont) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Libertyville Review (Libertyville) 1/9/1997 – Current
  • Courier (Lincoln) 1/29/2000 – Current
  • Lincolnshire Review (Lincolnshire) 6/29/2000 – Current
  • Lincolnwood Review (Lincolnwood) 1/16/1997 – Current
  • Lisle Reporter (Lisle) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Sun, The: Lisle (Lisle) 9/13/2002 – 5/7/2010
  • Lombard Spectator (Lombard) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Lyons Suburban Life (Lyons) 2/20/2007 – Current
  • Macomb Journal (Macomb) 2/4/2000 – Current
  • McDonough County Voice (Macomb) 10/9/2009 – Current
  • Marion Daily Republican (Marion) 10/5/2009 – Current
  • Journal Gazette (Mattoon) 4/13/2004 – Current
  • JG-TC (Mattoon, Charleston) 9/26/2011 – Current
  • Maywood Herald (Maywood) 1/1/1997 – 11/8/2006
  • McCook Suburban Life (McCook) 4/5/2007 – Current
  • Times-Leader (McLeansboro) 1/21/2006 – Current
  • Melrose Park Herald (Melrose Park) 1/1/1997 – 11/8/2006
  • Woodford Times (Metamora, Eureka) 6/29/2010 – Current
  • Millstadt-Smithton Enterprise (Millstadt, Smithton) 10/24/2004 – 3/26/2008
  • Daily Review Atlas (Monmouth) 10/5/2009 – Current
  • Morris Daily Herald (Morris) 3/8/2006 – Current
  • Morton Times-News (Morton) 12/17/2009 – Current
  • Morton Grove Champion (Morton Grove) 1/9/1997 – Current
  • Daily Republican Register (Mount Carmel) 10/12/1999 – Current
  • Mount Prospect Times (Mount Prospect) 1/9/1997 – 12/18/2008
  • Register-News (Mount Vernon) 11/13/2007 – Current
  • Mundelein Review (Mundelein) 1/9/1997 – Current
  • Murphysboro American (Murphysboro) 3/5/2009 – Current
  • Naperville Reporter (Naperville) 2/27/2007 – Current
  • Naperville Sun (Naperville) 1/1/1997 – Current
  • Naperville Sun, The: Web Edition Articles (Naperville) 4/8/2012 – Current
  • Sun, The: 60504 Fox Valley (Naperville) 10/21/2002 – 4/7/2005
  • Sun, The: Lincoln-Way (New Lenox) 12/4/2002 – 3/17/2004
  • Newton Press Mentor (Newton) 7/25/2005 – Current
  • Bugle (Niles) 8/18/2011 – Current
  • Niles Herald-Spectator (Niles) 1/9/1997 – Current
  • Niles Journal (Niles) 1/12/2011 – Current
  • North Riverside Suburban Life (North Riverside) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Northbrook Star (Northbrook) 1/16/1997 – Current
  • Northlake Herald-Journal (Northlake) 1/1/1997 – 10/18/2006
  • Edison-Norwood Times Review (Northwest Chicago) 1/9/1997 – 4/14/2011
  • O’Fallon Journal (O’Fallon) 10/27/2004 – Current
  • O’Fallon Progress (O’Fallon) 9/26/2008 – Current
  • Countryside Suburban Life (Oak Brook) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Oak Brook Suburban Life (Oak Brook) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Doings (Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace) 4/28/2005 – Current
  • Austin Weekly News (Oak Park) 2/16/2005 – Current
  • Forest Park Review (Oak Park) 1/28/2005 – Current
  • Oak Leaves (Oak Park) 1/1/1997 – Current
  • Wednesday Journal of Oak Park & River Forest (Oak Park) 12/1/2004 – Current
  • Oakbrook Terrace Press (Oakbrook Terrace) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Olney Daily Mail (Olney) 10/5/2009 – Current
  • Ogle County Newspapers (Oregon) 12/17/2009 – Current
  • Orion Gazette (Orion) 12/17/2009 – Current
  • Palatine Countryside (Palatine) 1/9/1997 – 1/15/2009
  • Palatine Journal (Palatine) 12/30/2010 – Current
  • Park Ridge Herald-Advocate (Park Ridge) 1/23/1997 – Current
  • Park Ridge Journal (Park Ridge) 1/12/2011 – Current
  • Pekin Daily Times (Pekin) 10/8/2009 – Current
  • East Peoria Times-Courier (Peoria) 11/25/2009 – Current
  • Peoria Journal Star (Peoria) 7/15/1991 – Current
  • Peoria Times-Observer (Peoria) 2/19/2008 – Current
  • Sun, The: Plainfield (Plainfield) 12/13/2002 – 11/20/2009
  • Daily Leader (Pontiac) 3/26/2009 – Current
  • Bureau County Republican (Princeton) 10/2/2009 – Current
  • Prospect Heights Journal (Prospect Heights) 1/12/2011 – Current
  • Forest Leaves (River Forest) 1/1/1997 – Current
  • River Grove Messenger (River Grove) 1/1/1997 – 11/21/2007
  • Riverside Suburban Life (Riverside) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Riverside-Brookfield Landmark (Riverside, Brookfield) 1/24/2005 – Current
  • Rock Island News (Rock Island) 4/29/2007 – 4/20/2008
  • Rockford Register Star (Rockford) 1/1/1999 – Current
  • Rolling Meadows Journal (Rolling Meadows) 10/14/2011 – Current
  • Rolling Meadows Review (Rolling Meadows) 1/9/1997 – 12/11/2008
  • Romeoville Reporter (Romeoville) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Roselle Press (Roselle) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Roseville Independent (Roseville) 4/14/2011 – Current
  • Winfield Press (Saint Charles) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Valley Free Press (Sandwich) 6/21/2006 – Current
  • Schaumburg Review (Schaumburg) 1/16/1997 – 12/11/2008
  • Daily Union (Shelbyville) 12/10/2007 – Current
  • Shorewood Sentinel (Shorewood) 6/13/2011 – Current
  • Skokie Review (Skokie) 1/16/1997 – Current
  • Illinois Times (Springfield) 7/24/2003 – Current
  • State Journal-Register (Springfield) 7/3/1985 – Current
  • St. Charles Republican (St. Charles) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Sun, The: St. Charles-South Elgin (St. Charles) 8/20/2003 – 5/20/2009
  • Stickney Life (Stickney) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Streamwood Press (Streamwood) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Midweek (Sycamore) 4/3/2006 – Current
  • Breeze-Courier (Taylorville) 7/3/2000 – Current
  • Teutopolis Press (Teutopolis) 5/7/2009 – Current
  • SouthtownStar (Tinley Park) 9/1/2002 – Current
  • SouthtownStar: Web Edition Articles (Tinley Park) 3/27/2012 – Current
  • STAR (Tinley Park) 1/1/2004 – 11/11/2007
  • Vandalia Leader-Union (Vandalia) 1/19/2011 – Current
  • Vernon Hills Review (Vernon Hills) 1/9/1997 – Current
  • Villa Park Argus (Villa Park) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Warrenville Press (Warrenville) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Washington Times-Reporter (Washington) 11/25/2009 – Current
  • Wauconda Courier (Wauconda) 4/15/2004 – 8/15/2008
  • Lake County News-Sun (Waukegan) 1/1/1997 – Current
  • Lake County News-Sun: Web Edition Articles (Waukegan) 3/26/2012 – Current
  • Wayne Republican (Wayne) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • West Chicago Press (West Chicago) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Daily American (West Frankfort) 2/14/2001 – Current
  • Westchester Herald (Westchester) 1/1/1997 – 9/13/2006
  • Westchester Suburban Life (Westchester) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Western Springs Suburban Life (Western Springs) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Doings (Western Springs, Indian Head Park) 4/28/2005 – Current
  • Westmont Progress (Westmont) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Wheaton Leader (Wheaton) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Sun, The: Wheaton (Wheaton) 9/6/2002 – 8/27/2010
  • Wheeling Countryside (Wheeling) 1/9/1997 – 1/19/2009
  • Wheeling Journal (Wheeling) 1/12/2011 – Current
  • Booster (Wicker Park, Bucktown, Ukranian Village) 1/11/2006 – 11/7/2007
  • Willow Springs Suburban Life (Willow Springs) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Willowbrook Suburban Life (Willowbrook) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Wilmette Life (Wilmette) 1/9/1997 – Current
  • Free Press Advocate (Wilmington) 2/1/2007 – Current
  • Winnetka Talk (Winnetka) 3/20/1997 – Current
  • Wood Dale Press (Wood Dale) 8/16/2007 – Current
  • Woodridge Reporter (Woodridge) 1/22/2008 – Current
  • Woodstock Independent (Woodstock) 6/2/2010 – Current

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