Category Archives: Local News
Aubrey: Pritzker to consider bill mandating gun owners lock up firearms near minors
Republicans argue bill is unconstitutional; Democrats say it's about safe ownership By JADE AUBREY Capitol News Illinois jaubrey@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - A bill that would require gun own...
May 30, 2025 Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, speaks on the House floor on Thursday, May 22, 2025. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)
SPD announces nine new officers sworn in during Thursday ceremony in City Council Chambers
On Thursday, Springfield Police Chief Ken Scarlette swore in nine new officers during a ceremony held in the City Council Chambers. The ceremony was attended by Mayor Misty Buscher, city officials, as...
May 30, 2025 SPD swearing In ceremony on 5.29.25 (Credit: SPD)
Gov. Pritzker visits Springfield's Kumler Outreach Ministries Food Pantry on Thursday amid proposed Federal SNAP Cuts
On Thursday, Governor JB Pritzker visited Kumler Outreach Ministries Food Pantry in Springfield to meet with leadership and discuss the potential impacts of proposed federal funding cuts to the Supple...
May 29, 2025 Food pantry with food items (Credit: Aaron Doucett; UnSplash)
Adams & Szalinski: Lawmakers offer 2 incomplete pitches for public transit and funding reform
Chicago Transit Authority and other agencies face $770 million annual funding gap By ANDREW ADAMS & BEN SZALINSKI Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - With two days lef...
May 29, 2025 A Chicago Transit Authority bus leaves a stop on the city’s North Side. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew Adams)
Schoonover et al. Senate passes bill requiring Illinois libraries to supply opioid overdose medication
by Isabella Schoonover and Medill Illinois News Bureau, Capitol News Illinois May 28, 2025 SPRINGFIELD - Legislation that would require Illinois public libraries to have life-saving medications on han...
May 29, 2025 Opioid antagonists (Credit: Pharmacy Images)
Illinois State Library dedicates a reading room in honor of former Governor Jim Edgar
The Illinois State Library has dedicated a reading room in honor of former Governor Jim Edgar. Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias joined state and local officials in a dedication...
May 29, 2025 Former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar (Credit: Jim Edgar's website)
Springfield Police Department recently recognizes three of its officers with Life Saving Awards
The Springfield Police Department has recognized three of its officers with Life Saving Awards for helping a young man on a bridge threatening to jump. The department said Officers Jolene Balog, Logan...
May 29, 2025 Recognizing Excellence award ceremony (Credit: SPD)
Carr: Senator tries last-ditch push to boost horse-racing industry in Illinois
Bill paves the way for a 'racino' in Decatur with support from out-of-state investors By SIMON CARR Medill Illinois News Bureau news@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - In the backstretch of the leg...
May 29, 2025 Sen. Patrick Joyce, (center) D-Essex, speaks in favor of his bill to expand horse racing in Illinois alongside Jeff Davis, president of the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association, and Nicole Bateman, president of the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur-Macon County. Decatur would be the site of a new racino under the legislation. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Peter Hancock)
Szalinski, Nowicki: Pritzker threatens to veto any budget containing 'broad-based' tax increase
By BEN SZALINSKI & JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - Gov. JB Pritzker said Wednesday he will not sign a budget that includes broad tax hikes to fund ne...
May 28, 2025
Illinois State Fair tickets available starting June 2
The Illinois State Fair Box Office opens for in-person ticket purchases Monday, June 2. Regular box office hours are 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. However, for one day only on June 2, all i...
May 28, 2025 The Illinois State Fair Grounds is where the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service office (not seen) is located, in Springfield, IL, on Nov. 2, 2011. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.