Local Public Safety and Health

IDPH adds more ZIP codes to lead testing list
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced on Tuesday an expansion of its list of ZIP codes where lead exposure testing is required for children who live within those areas. 180 new zip codes, representing parts of 47 Illinois counties, have been added to the list this year, bringing the total of high-risk ZIP ...
Jul 03, 2025

Hancock: Pritzker signs health care legislation
Bills aim to rein in pharmacy benefit managers, expand insurance coverage By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com Gov. JB Pritzker signed a pair of health care-related bills Tuesday that he said would put more controls on the pricing of pharmaceutical drugs sold through insurance plans...
Jul 02, 2025

UIS-based Illinois Innocence Project announces exoneration of six people in Cook County for crime they did not commit
The University of Illinois Springfield-based Illinois Innocence Project has announced the exoneration of six people in Cook County who served a combined 124 years in prison for a murder they did not commit. The men were all teenagers or young adults when they were convicted in 1989 of a murder two years earlier. The Il...
Jul 02, 2025

Governor JB Pritzker signs new law to ensure safe drinking water standards in Illinois
Governor JB Pritzker has signed a new law to ensure safe drinking water standards in Illinois. The Safe Drinking Water Act would allow the Illinois Department of Public Health to impose civil penalties against non-community water supplies that violate standards.
Jul 01, 2025

Saturday night house fire in Chatham displaces three residents
A Saturday night house fire in Chatham displaced three residents. Chatham firefighters were called to the 2500 block of Hampton Drive before 6 p.m. and were at the scene for nearly four hours; no injuries were reported. The home is considered a total loss.
Jul 01, 2025

17-year-old sustains non-life-threatening gunshot wound over the weekend in 2600 block of Whittier Avenue in Springfield
Police say a 17-year-old sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound over the weekend in the 2600 block of Whittier Avenue in Springfield. \ The Sangamon County Sheriff's office said the teenager was taken to a local hospital. An investigation continues.
Jul 01, 2025

IDPH urges Illinoisans to steer clear of seasonal Summer hazards and celebrate this year's Fourth of July safely
The Illinois Department of Public Health urged Illinoisans on Monday to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday and the start of Summer 2025 safely by following proven safety guidance so as not to spoil the fun. While the department noted that following food handling safety tips to protect friends and family from foodborn...
Jun 30, 2025

Preparations continue for the demolition of buildings on the Pillsbury Mills site on Springfield's northeast side
Preparations continue for the demolition of buildings on the Pillsbury Mills site on Springfield's northeast side. Team Pillsbury said demolition is expected to begin in July with the exact sequence not yet determined, although the silos and headhouse will likely be the last structures to be torn down. Demolition will ...
Jun 30, 2025

MADD Illinois and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources announces 2025 Boating and ATV Impaired Driving Prevention Campaign
Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced on Friday that they are once again partnering to promote safe boating and ATV practices as the summer recreation season begins; their joint campaign aims to educate communities about the dangers of operating boats, personal watercr...
Jun 27, 2025

Feed processing plant in Lincoln catches fire on Wednesday
Employees were evacuated safely after a fire at a feed processing plant in Lincoln on Wednesday. Firefighters responded at about noon to Lincoln Transload and Processing on Fifth Street, where they found smoke coming from the tower and throughout the building. Lincoln firefighters said fire in the basement traveled thr...
Jun 27, 2025