Category Archives: Local News
New State Legislation to Allow Rideshare Drivers to Unionize
A bill allowing rideshare drivers to unionize is on its way to the governor's desk. Rideshare drivers say a union is necessary because under federal law, they're defined as independent contractors, de...
Jun 04, 2026 Nyker / Depositphotos.com
Illinois bill limits how social media companies can target feeds to children
Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz speaks on the House floor on May 21, 2026. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki) Article Summary A bill to protect children online and limit their access to addi...
Jun 03, 2026
Petersburg Man Arrested After Police Standoff Denied Pre-Trial Release
The Petersburg man who was involved in an hours long standoff with police recently has been denied pre-trial release. 32-year-old Justin Thornley was in court on Tuesday for a pre-trial detention hear...
Jun 03, 2026 jail cell (Credit: ABC)
State Breaks Ground on Traffic Incident Management Training Facility Near Pawnee
Ground was broken on Wednesday on a facility near Pawnee to train law enforcement, emergency responders and highway workers on traffic incident management. The $14 million facility is a partnership be...
Jun 03, 2026
Alderman Williams Questions SPD Police Chief on Arrest of 14 Year Old
Members of the Black Aldermanic Caucus of the Springfield City Council grilled Police Chief Joe Behl over the arrest of a 14-year-old last weekend. An officer chased down and arrested the youth suspec...
Jun 03, 2026
Permanent Injunction Issued on Swipe Fee Legislation
An Illinois law banning "swipe fees" on taxes and tips - already delayed twice by lawmakers - appears to be on life support after a federal judge that once permitted it issued a permanent injunction a...
Jun 03, 2026 A state law banning “swipe fees” on the tax and tip portion of debit and credit card transactions could be delayed until next year. (Nathana Rebouças via Unsplash)
More Students Potentially to Qualify for In-State College Tuition
More students could qualify for in-state tuition at Illinois colleges and universities under a bill that will soon be sent to Governor JB Pritzker. The bill would loosen one of the requirements for pa...
Jun 03, 2026 belchonock / Depositphotos.com
Legislation Make Changes to High School Foreign Language Requirements
Students entering high school in 2028 will not necessarily have to complete two years of foreign language as a condition of graduating under a bill headed to Governor JB Pritzker's desk. Instead, they...
Jun 03, 2026 AndrewLozovyi / Depositphotos.com
Sangamon County Coroner Identifies 77-Year-Old Motorcyclist Who Died in Crash on Monday
The Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon has identified the 77-year-old man who died in a motorcycle accident Monday. JB Logan died from multiple blunt force injuries that he sustained in the crash acco...
Jun 02, 2026 bedya / Depositphotos.com
Springfield Fire Department Responds to Fire Monday Evening on E. Jefferson
The Springfield Fire department responded to a fire at 401 E. Jefferson Street on Monday evening. When firefighters arrived, there was heavy black smoke coming from a fourth-floor apartment. Crews qui...
Jun 02, 2026 Photo Courtesy Springfield Fire Department