The excitement was palpable Thursday when Ibtihaj Muhammad walked into Islamic Foundation School and mosque in Villa Park among not only its 550 students but also parents, employees and community members who welcomed the Olympian.
In the past year, members of our diverse suburban mosaic have had many triumphs to celebrate, milestones to mark, as well as challenges to overcome, particularly affecting communities of color. Here are some highlights from our 2022 coverage.