Category Archives: Local News
Szalinski: Pritzker balances messaging as some Dems encourage party to avoid LGBTQ issues
By BEN SZALINSKI Capitol News Illinois bszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com When Gov. JB Pritzker tells audiences how he became interested in politics, it often starts with stories about his mother. As ...
Apr 22, 2025
INC: Solar energy progress in Illinois could be on hold with new administration
A new report outlines some of the barriers Illinois residents face that can make adopting solar energy more difficult and expensive than necessary. The findings are based on feedback from residential ...
Apr 22, 2025 Solar Panels on a building
Hancock: Citing growing list of duties, Illinois' Raoul seeks a $15M increase in AG budget
Attorney General engaged in growing volume of suits against Trump administration By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Attorney General Kwame R...
Apr 22, 2025 Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul answers questions during a luncheon interview at the City Club of Chicago on April 1, 2025. (Credit: City Club of Chicago)
Lisa Schweska receives Horace Mann Educator of the Year, over 30 years after her mother was honored with same award
Lisa Schweska was in just her second year of teaching in Springfield District 186 when her mother, Jean Ahlberg, was named the Horace Mann Educator of the Year in 1992. Schweska attended the award lun...
Apr 22, 2025 Horace Mann Educator of the year and other awards across District 186 (Credit: District 186)
Meisel: Prosecutors say Sen. Emil Jones III's alleged bribery was 'crystal clear' as the case goes to jury
Defense alleges Jones was 'set up' by red-light camera entrepreneur-turned-FBI mole By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO - As prosecutors gave their closing a...
Apr 22, 2025 State Sen. Emil Jones III’s federal corruption trial is nearing its end as the jury deliberated for two hours Monday after hearing closing arguments. Jones is accused of agreeing to accept bribes from red-light camera entrepreneur-turned-FBI cooperator Omar Maani in exchange for limiting legislation he’d proposed to study red-light camera systems in Illinois to spare Maani’s company, SafeSpeed, from potential fallout. SafeSpeed, which changed its name to AllTechTracking in 2023, operates red-light cameras in Chicago’s southwest suburbs, including at the intersection of Archer and Harlem avenues in Summit. (Capitol News Illinois photos by Hannah Meisel and Andrew Adams)
ISP ramping up efforts to fight car theft with help from $10 million dollar grant
The Illinois State Police is ramping up its efforts to combat vehicle theft, hijacking, and related violent crimes, thanks to significant grant funding from the Illinois Secretary of State, and the Il...
Apr 22, 2025 ISP Car (Credit: CNI)
Carr: Illinois scrambles to boost locally produced farm products after Trump's funding freeze
Legislators seek to bolster local farms by purchasing their wares with state dollars By SIMON CARR Medill Illinois News Bureau Capitol Illinois News Bureau news@capitolillinoisnewsbureau.com SPRINGFIE...
Apr 21, 2025 Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, explained the value of her bill to help small farmers at a press conference earlier this month. “Right now, public institutions across Illinois are required to choose the lowest bidder when they buy food. Now that might sound fair, but in practice, it leaves out small, local and community-based food businesses.” (photo by Simon Carr, Medill Illinois News Bureau)
Adams Street in Downtown Springfield back open after road finally cleared post Juneteenth 2024 fire that caused building damage
Downtown Springfield is rejoicing after the portion of Adams Street closed by fire since Juneteenth 2024 appears finally to be cleared and accessible - as are the businesses that call the immediately ...
Apr 21, 2025 Adams Street in Downtown Springfield cleared and reopen after the Juneteenth fire and fallout of 2024 (Credit: Paul Nawrocki)
CWLP announces new exam dates in May for those interested in becoming an apprentice electrician
CWLP is looking for some fresh faces and talents in early May - mere weeks away. City Water, Light and Power announced on Monday, April 21, that the City Water, Light and Power Joint Apprenticeship Tr...
Apr 21, 2025
Catholic Diocese of Springfield mourns with much of the world in wake of death of Pope Francis
With the passing of Pope Francis of the Catholic Church announced early on Monday, much of the world sits in both reflection as to his life, as well as curiosity as to the papal successor. The Diocese...
Apr 21, 2025