Category Archives: Local News
ALPLM to Display an Audience Chair from Ford's Theatre
An audience chair in use at the time and place of Abraham Lincoln's assassination is now in the possession of a Springfield museum. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum announced Monday...
Apr 13, 2026
State Senator McClure Says Downstate Voters Can Have Impact in November Election
State Senator Steve McClure says focusing on policies instead of personalities will be key for Republicans to be successful in November's election. The Springfield Republican told Sam Madonia on WMAY'...
Apr 13, 2026 Sen. Steve McClure (podium), R-Springfield, speaks about the lawsuit next to Cass Casper, the lead attorney on the case (middle), and the victim’s parents (right), at a news conference in Springfield on Tuesday. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jade Aubrey)
UIS Faculty Strike Hits 11th Day
Today is the 11th day of the strike by faculty at University of Illinois Springfield. Union members say the proposed pay increase does not keep up with the cost of living, while the university says fi...
Apr 13, 2026
Reminder Tax Day is Wednesday
As the deadline approaches on Wednesday to file income tax returns, the Illinois Department of Revenue says the earlier, the better if filing by mail. The U.S. Postal Service has updated postmarking p...
Apr 13, 2026 Close-up shot of a blank color print 2024 Form 1040 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. WIth a blue ball pen. 2025 Tax season, tax payment and filing concept
House Passes Bill to Ban Junk Fees
For the second time in three years, the Illinois House voted to ban hidden "junk fees" that are often added to the total cost of ticketed events, hotel rooms and other goods and services. Junk fees ha...
Apr 13, 2026 BrianAJackson / Depositphotos.com
Illinois House Passes Bill Creating Grant Fund to Help Uninsured and Underinsured with Abortion Care
The House on Thursday voted along party lines 69-36 to pass a bill that would create a grant fund to cover abortion care for uninsured and underinsured people. House Bill 5408 is one of Governor JB Pr...
Apr 13, 2026
Bill Requiring Stores to Accept Cash Passes Illinois House
Many Illinois stores would be required to accept cash in most circumstances under House Bill 4592, which passed the House unanimously last week. The bill requires any store with a physical location th...
Apr 13, 2026
Two Local Men Arrested on Possession and Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Materials
Illinois State Police have arrested two local men for allegedly possessing and distributing child sexual abuse materials in separate cases. Illinois State Police on Wednesday said 48-year-old James Ba...
Apr 10, 2026 Police lights (Credit: Scott Rodgerson; UnSplash)
Springfield Area Unemployment Rate at 5.3 Percent
The January unemployment rate in the Springfield area was 5.3 percent, seven-tenths of a percentage point higher than one year ago according to a report released on Thursday by the U.S. Bureau of Labo...
Apr 10, 2026 Kevin Smith / CC
State Board of Education Asking for $10.9 Billion in Funding for Upcoming Fiscal Year
The Illinois State Board of Education is asking lawmakers for $10.9 billion to fund public schools in the upcoming fiscal year. Capitol News Illinois reports the agency presented its request to a Hous...
Apr 10, 2026 tonodiaz / Depositphotos.com