Category Archives: Headlines

ISU police chief and detective cycle almost 400 miles to honor fallen officers
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) - Two members of the Illinois State University Police Department rode 390 miles across Illinois to honor fallen police officers. Police Chief Aaron Woodruff and Detective Matthew H...
WJBC Staff 1h ago Aaron Woodruff, Chief of Police at Illinois State University. (Photo courtesy: WJBC)

Illinois bet on solar to meet its climate goals. Trump has the industry in his crosshairs.
SPRINGFIELD - President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans earlier this month curtailed federal tax incentives for the solar energy industry and for individuals and companies that purchase sol...
WJBC Staff 2h ago A solar farm in Carbondale, Illinois, in late 2024. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew Campbell)

John Hooker, first of 'ComEd Four' to be sentenced, gets 1½ years in prison
CHICAGO - A former executive for electric utility Commonwealth Edison has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for his role in bribing ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan for jobs and contracts...
WJBC Staff 3h ago Former Commonwealth Edison executive John Hooker walks out of Chicago’s Dirksen Federal Courthouse on Monday, July 14, after being sentenced to 1 ½ years in prison and a $500,000 fine for his role in bribing ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew Adams)

Bloomington police, ISU team up for community engagement events
BLOOMINGTON, Ill (WMBD) - Some Bloomington residents enjoyed a tasty treat early Monday afternoon, courtesy of the police. From 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Gene's Dairy Delight on 1019 South Main Street. The ...
WJBC Staff 4h ago Bloomington Police. (Photo courtesy: Bloomington Police/Facebook)

Bloomington certified as 'Partner in Peace' for anti-trafficking work
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) - The city of Bloomington was certified as a 'Partner in Peace' with the Center for Prevention of Abuse for its human trafficking awareness and prevention efforts. Carol Merna...
WJBC Staff 4h ago City of Bloomington. (Photo courtesy: City of Bloomington/Facebook)

Normal police seek public assistance in Motel 6 robbery case
NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) - The Normal Police Department is asking for help in finding three people in connection with the robbery of a person at a Motel 6 last week. As part of their "Manhunt Monday," a po...
WJBC Staff Jul 14, 2025

Keita Bates-Diop holds basketball camp at alma mater U-High
NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) - U-High graduate and pro basketball player Keita Bates-Diop returned to Normal for his annual basketball camp to help young players and to raise awareness of automated external de...
WJBC Staff Jul 14, 2025 University High. (Photo courtesy: U-High/Facebook)

Trump's 'big bill' takes center stage in Illinois' U.S. Senate race
PEORIA - With major future cuts to social service programs now written into law, Democrats seeking Illinois' open U.S. Senate seat in 2026 are hitting the campaign trail seeking to position themselves...
WJBC Staff Jul 11, 2025 U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, left, meets with independent pharmacy owners, including Dave Bagot of Petersburg Pharmacy (right), in Petersburg on Friday, July 11, 2025. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Ben Szalinski)
Normal man arrested on multiple gun charges after fleeing traffic stop
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) - A Normal man who was on parole is back in custody after police allegedly found a firearm during a traffic stop. On July 1, following an investigation by the Bloomington Poli...
WJBC Staff Jul 11, 2025

ICYMI: Home Sweet Home Ministries breaks ground on new non-congregate shelter in Bloomington
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) - The community gathered on Thursday morning to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new non-congregate shelter village in Bloomington. "We've been working towards this day for...
WJBC Staff Jul 11, 2025 Leaders joined for a ground breaking ceremony on Thursday. (Photo courtesy: Blake Haas/WJBC)