Decatur undertaking study of water sources with an eye on economic development
Decatur’s main source of water is Lake Decatur, but residents rely on the Mahomet Aquifer during droughts.
Tag: Decatur
Danville residents rally behind proposed Kickapoo Rail Trail expansion
Trails of the Grand Prairie, a nonprofit working to expand the Kickapoo Rail Trail, is applying for a state grant to extend the trail to Danville.
Champaign County carbon sequestration task force submits final recommendations
The Champaign County Carbon Sequestration Activities Task Force wrapped up its work Wednesday night, submitting final recommendations to the county.
Budzinski, Wilson to face off in general election for Illinois’ 13th congressional district
Democratic Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski beat political newcomer Dylan Blaha, and Republican Champaign County Board Member beat Joshua Loyd, who previously ran against Budzinski two years ago.
Decatur Public Schools selects next superintendent
Moody will take over leadership of Decatur Public Schools in July after Superintendent Rochelle Clark retires. Her starting salary will be $237,500.
Decatur Public Schools looking for ways to turn around ‘bleak’ decline in student population
A demographer reported to the District 61 school board Tuesday that it is facing one of the toughest environments for growth he has ever seen.
Floating wetlands in Lake Decatur aim to improve water quality while providing wildlife habitats
As winter approaches, the durability of two new floating wetlands in Lake Decatur will be tested. These man-made structures were installed on the lake this summer with the goal of improving water quality and creating a habitat for wildlife.
Decatur begins first phase of water rationing due to the ongoing drought
Officials said Lake Decatur’s water level continues to drop and drought conditions persist in the Lake Decatur watershed as much of central Illinois has received below average rainfall since mid-August 2025.
Corn, but shorter: Why Midwest farmers are experimenting with smaller varieties
Scientists and seed companies are working on shrinking corn. The subtle difference in height has led to some big changes in how shorter corn can be planted and managed in the Corn Belt.
Gov. Pritzker announces new Cronus Chemicals fertilizer plant in Tuscola is moving forward
For more than a decade, Cronus Chemicals has sought to create a fertilizer production facility in East Central Illinois. At the Farm Progress Show in Decatur, the governor announced the company is following through with its $2 billion investment.
No ‘threat to public health’: ADM responds after violation notice from EPA on carbon sequestration project
DECATUR- Agribusiness giant ADM is responding after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found last week that the company violated federal regulations, a federal permit and the Safe Drinking Water Act earlier this year when a monitoring well at their carbon sequestration site in Decatur leaked liquified carbon dioxide into “unauthorized zones.” ADM says it has
New facility in Decatur makes animal feed ingredients from insects
A new facility that raises fly larvae for animal feed has opened in Decatur.
Governor J-B Pritzker helped cut the ribbon Thursday for the North American Insect Innovation Center, built by the French biotech company Innovafeed SAS.
The 10,000 square foot facility, with a staff of ten, is the company’s first facility in the Americas. And it is a precursor to a much larger growing and manufacturing plant, with 100 to 300 employees, that Innovafeed plans to build adjacent to the current facility over the next two years.
Here’s where to find tree-lighting ceremonies around central Illinois
CHAMPAIGN — As the holiday season approaches, many towns and cities are gearing up for their annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremonies. From Danville to Charleston, there are plenty of events to choose from. Here are some of the upcoming events: Danville’s Lighting of the Old Oak Tree: The Danville Girls Chorus, the San Ramon Valley High
Construction begins on Illinois school renamed after local Tuskegee Airman
Born in 1919 in Decatur, Ellsworth Dansby, Jr., was fascinated by planes. He first flew alone at age 12 – without ever previously riding in a plane. He used knowledge from books he had read to land his solo flight safely.
Update: Archer Daniels Midland resumes corn processing at plant in Decatur after explosion injures 8 employees
An explosion and fire at an Archer Daniels Midland facility in Illinois has injured eight employees and sent a tower of smoke into the air.