Category Archives: Local News
Police Standoff in Jacksonville on Friday Leads to No Classes at Jacksonville Middle School
A man is in custody after a standoff of more than 10 hours this morning in Jacksonville. Illinois State Police said Jacksonville Police responded to a residence in the 700 block of Park Street at abou...
Apr 24, 2026 Police lights (Credit: Max Fleischmann; UnSplash)
Unemployment Ticks Up in All 12 Illinois Metro Areas
Unemployment increased in all 12 Illinois metro areas in the year ending in February according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. The Springfiel...
Apr 24, 2026 Kevin Smith / CC
State Lawmakers Call for Data Center Transparency on Water Use
State lawmakers emphasized the need for transparency about how much water data centers use to cool their facilities at the final of three data center-focused hearings in the House Executive Committee....
Apr 24, 2026 scanrail / Depositphotos.com
Recent Rains Lift Most of State Out of Drought
Recent wet weather has lifted most of Illinois out of a drought according to this week's U.S. Drought Monitor. Portions of far southeastern Illinois are still reporting moderate drought or abnormally ...
Apr 24, 2026 geargodz / Depositphotos.com
Millionaire tax amendment fails to gain enough support from House Democrats
Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, presents a proposed constitutional amendment to implement a tax on millionaires to the House Revenue and Finance Committee on April 21, 2026. (Capitol News Illinois phot...
Apr 23, 2026
Millionaire Tax Amendment Will Not Appear on November Ballot
Illinois voters will not see a millionaire amendment when they head to the polls in November. Capitol News Illinois reports House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch told reporters on Wednesday night the pr...
Apr 23, 2026 Pictures of Money / CC
Illinois House Approves "Megaproject" Bill in Hopes to Keep the Bears in Illinois
After more than three years on the legislative backburner, the Illinois House on Wednesday approved a major economic development bill that would clear the path for the Chicago Bears to build a new dom...
Apr 23, 2026
Illinois House Approves Redistricting Constitutional Amendment
Voters could be asked to allow lawmakers to rewrite the state's redistricting laws. Capitol News Illinois reports the House approved a constitutional amendment that creates a priority list of factors ...
Apr 23, 2026 iqoncept / Depositphotos.com
Stuenkel Named District 186 Coordinator of Safety and Security
Springfield School District 186 has named a longtime city police official as its coordinator of safety and security. The board this week approved Joshua Stuenkel for the position. He is retiring from ...
Apr 23, 2026 vlue / Depositphotos.com
Naturalization Ceremony Takes Place at Old State Capitol
Sixty people become new United States citizens on Wednesday during a ceremony at the Old State Capitol. This is the 40th year that naturalization ceremonies have been conducted at the historic site. T...
Apr 23, 2026