Category Archives: Headlines
Chiddix Junior High School teacher arrested after grooming investigation
By WMBD TV NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) - A Chiddix Junior High School teacher was arrested Thursday on grooming charges after an investigation involving the United States Marshals Service. On Wednesday, April...
17h ago (Photo courtesy: McLean County Unit 5)
Lawmakers eye water use transparency requirements for data centers
By NIKOEL HYTREK CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS nhytrek@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - Lawmakers emphasized the need for transparency about how much water data centers use to cool their facilities at th...
19h ago State Rep. Ann Williams, D-Chicago, speaks in favor of a megaprojects bill on the Illinois House floor on Aprill 22, 2026. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)
Millionaire tax amendment fails to gain enough support from House Democrats
By BEN SZALINSKI Capitol News Illinois bszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com Article Summary It's looking increasingly likely that Illinois voters will not see an amendment about creating a "millionaire ...
19h ago Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, presents a proposed constitutional amendment to implement a tax on millionaires to the House Revenue and Finance Committee on April 21, 2026. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)
Illinois House approves megaprojects bill, but the Bears want changes
By BRENDEN MOORE, BEN SZALINSKI & JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com Article Summary The Illinois House approved a major economic development bill that includes a pro...
21h ago The House Democratic Caucus, led by Rep. Kam Buckner, gathers outside House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch’s office on April 22, 2026. The chamber had just voted 78-32 to pass a megaprojects economic development bill aimed at convincing the Chicago Bears to build a stadium in Arlington Heights. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)
Union sues Illinois State University over hiring replacement workers
By WMBD TV NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) - AFSCME Council 31, representing certain Illinois State University employees, has sued the school, saying it broke the law by hiring temporary replacement workers to "w...
Apr 22, 2026 Illinois State University. (Photo courtesy: WJBC)
Transportation providers, schools, state officials ease school bus driver shortage
By JENNA SCHWEIKERT Capitol News Illinois jschweikert@capitolnewsillinois.com A nationwide school bus driver shortage, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, persists in some parts of the country. But in Il...
Apr 22, 2026 A hiring sign at First Student’s bus depot in Springfield has been posted for months. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jenna Schweikert)
Pritzker executive order bars state employees from using insider info in prediction markets
By MAGGIE DOUGHERTY Capitol News Illinois mdougherty@capitolnewsillinois.com Article Summary Gov. JB Pritzker signed an executive order Tuesday barring state employees and elected officials from using...
Apr 22, 2026 Screenshot
Mackinaw Police warn of impersonation scam
By WMBD TV MACKINAW, Ill. (WMBD) - The Mackinaw Police Department warned the public on Tuesday that scammers were impersonating law enforcement. The department said it had received reports of being co...
Apr 22, 2026
ISU workers strike continues with no new negotiations scheduled
By WMBD TV NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) - Illinois State University workers are heading into their third week of striking with no additional bargaining sessions in sight. AFSCME Council 31 represents building,...
Apr 22, 2026 (Photo courtesy: Illinois State University)
Hanna City man accused of stealing $250,000 from a Normal company
NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) - A Hanna City man is allegedly behind a multi-year scheme that bilked a Normal company out of about $250,000. Jason Simerly, 51, was indicted on April 8 by a McLean County grand j...
Apr 22, 2026
