Local Public Safety and Health
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 hand for people experiencing opioid overdoses and provide staff training has unanimously passed the Illinois Senate and is ...
9h ago
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 Coventry and Jack Clement responded last month to a bridge on Sixth Street as the man climbed over the rail and held on...
9h ago
Memorial Health Hospitals announce infant sleep sacks to be given to new parents for the promotion of safe sleep
Memorial Health announced on Tuesday that parents of babies born at Decatur Memorial Hospital, Jacksonville Memorial Hospital, and Springfield Memorial Hospital will be given free infant sleep sacks as part of a Safe Sleep initiative in conjunction with the Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative. "Sudden Infant ...
May 28, 2025
City Council Report: Alders scrutinize Springfield's homeless resource management as fed squanders funding
Multiple ordinances which went up for approval at Committee of the Whole on Tuesday, May 27 concerned funding for Springfield's homeless prevention resources. Going straight to next week's consent agenda is a measure to fund Fifth Street Renaissance to an amount of $1,115,397 using federally supplied ARPA money: Fifth ...
May 28, 2025
Aubrey: Bill would require police training for sexual assault, conflicts of interest
By JADE AUBREY Capitol News Illinois jaubrey@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - Illinois police officers soon could be required to undergo trauma-informed sexual assault training if the governor signs a bill passed by Illinois lawmakers last week. Senate Bill 1195, dubbed Anna's Law, mandates police officers take pa...
May 28, 2025
Two Pittsfield High School students die in two-vehicle collision south of Jacksonville on Saturday afternoon
Two Pittsfield High School students died in a two-vehicle collision south of Jacksonville on Saturday afternoon. Illinois State Police said the vehicle carrying the youths was eastbound on Woodson-Winchester Road and crossed U.S. Route 67, colliding with a truck. Four others were taken to area hospitals. Pikeland Schoo...
May 27, 2025
Three people left injured in crash involving trike on Sunday afternoon between Springfield and Chatham
Three people were injured in a crash involving a trike motorcycle between Springfield and Chatham on Sunday afternoon. Sangamon County sheriff's deputies were called at about 12:15 p.m. to the 1100 block of Woodside Road. Two people were taken to an area hospital with serious injuries. The investigation remains ongoin...
May 27, 2025
Richardson: Illinois officials find first instance of West Nile virus, say prepare now
Mark Richardson Illinois News Connection The Illinois Department of Public Health said the first positive test for West Nile virus in 2025 has been detected in Winnebago County near Rockford. Health officials warned people in the infected area and elsewhere to take precautions to avoid the mosquito-borne disease, which...
May 26, 2025
Aubrey: Bill establishes commission to increase communication on public health issues
The commission will include Illinois doctors, veterinarians and public officials By JADE AUBREY Capitol News Illinois jaubrey@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - A bill creating an interdisciplinary commission to study the interplay between animals, the environment and infectious disease within the Illinois Departm...
May 23, 2025
SIU School of Medicine announces 74 new physicians from 2025 graduating class
SIU School of Medicine announced on Thursday that a "fresh crop of new physicians" had been, on May 17, awarded degrees as part of the SIU Class of 2025. The commencement ceremony at the University of Illinois Springfield Performing Arts Center celebrated the achievements of the 74 graduates and featured rema...
May 23, 2025
