Five killed in bus, semi-truck crash in Rushville
Four people were aboard the school bus — three children and the driver. The driver of the truck was also killed. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
Trump-backed U.S. Rep. Bost touts experience amid challenge from ‘outsider’ Darren Bailey
CASEY, Ill. — In a southern Illinois town described by a local librarian as “Mayberry-esque,” a deep red community of about 2,400 people is deciding whether the support of former President Donald Trump is enough to send U.S. Rep. Mike Bost back to Congress instead of his grassroots challenger, Darren Bailey. Bost was endorsed by…
Should Illinois become 11th state to adopt ‘right to die’ legislation?
A bill filed on Thursday would allow qualified individuals, not medical professionals, to self-administer a medication to end their lives. There is of course opposition to such measures, specifically from the Catholic and evangelical communities. Illinois Senate Democrats are moving forward on legislation that would give mentally capable patients who are terminally ill an option…
Former Republican candidate for governor Darren Bailey running to unseat Mike Bost in Illinois’ 12th District
Darren Bailey and Mike Bost running in Illinois 12th District primary.
Darin LaHood endorses Donald Trump for president ahead of Iowa caucuses
The Dunlap Republican representing Illinois’ 16th Congressional District said he believes Trump is the man to beat heading into the Iowa caucuses.
An Illinois lawmaker wants to ban ex-Speaker Michael Madigan’s portrait from the capitol
Madigan, the longtime Illinois House Speaker, is charged with bribery and conspiracy. A lawmaker wants to ban his portrait from the House.
New Illinois law should help survivors of gender violence who sue their employers
The law, which took effect Jan. 1, is intended to hold employers accountable for failing to act on complaints of workplace violence.
City leaders announce migrants bound for Chicago land at Rockford Airport
ROCKFORD – The city of Rockford is fielding questions after announcing that a plane filled with hundreds of migrants landed early Sunday morning at the Chicago Rockford International Airport. City leaders say they had been informed with short notice that a plane carrying migrants from Texas was scheduled to land in Rockford. The city says there…
A judge declined to put the ComEd bribery case fully on hold Monday despite a Supreme Court review of a key corruption law. But a similar request is expected to be made of Madigan’s judge.
The sentencings of four people convicted of a lengthy conspiracy to bribe then-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan for ComEd will not go forward as planned next month, but a judge declined Monday to put all proceedings on hold as defense attorneys hoped.
Meanwhile, a defense attorney for Madigan’s co-defendant said he will be making a similar request to stay proceedings in Madigan’s case, which is set for trial in less than four months.
The developments come in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to take up a corruption case out of Northwest Indiana, in which questions revolve around a law at play in the ComEd and Madigan cases.
Urbana wins $2.9 million award against Stark Excavating of Bloomington over roadwork issues
A Champaign County jury has ruled in favor of the City of Urbana and against the Bloomington-based firm of Stark Excavating over faulty road construction. The award of nearly $2.9 million is a rarity. Stark is widely used in central Illinois for many municipal construction projects, including, for many years, by Urbana. Urbana Mayor Diane…
Evanston mom and daughter released by Hamas after almost two weeks held as hostages, rabbi says
Judith Raanan, 59, and her daughter Natalie Raanan, 17, had been held hostage since Oct. 7 after Hamas attacked Israel.
Congress will miss the farm bill deadline in the midst of a likely government shutdown
The leaders of both Congressional agriculture committees say federal lawmakers will move back farm bill negotiations to December. The current law expires Sept. 30, but experts say there should be little peril despite the blown deadline.
Illinois becomes first state in nation today to eliminate cash bail. Here’s how it will work.
It’s been two years since the Pretrial Fairness Act was passed, but questions remain on who will be jailed and who will not.
State issues guidance on co-pays for undocumented residents as advocates criticize health care cuts
Advocates argued the rules changes were too costly for low-income patients. The governor’s office said co-pays should not have been charged yet anyway, though they are expected to resume eventually.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission resident inspectors keep an eye on Clinton plant
The Clinton Power Station in DeWitt County south of Bloomington-Normal started operating in 1987. The nuclear plant is supposed to shut down in 2026, but owner Constellation Energy has applied for a 20-year license extension. The aging plant is a massive assemblage of pipes, pumps, and valves. Security is rigorous. It takes about an hour…