Category Archives: Homepage
School choice option at standstill as legislators weigh benefits, political fallout
By MARISA GUERRA ECHEVERRIA Medill Illinois News Bureau news@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO - Diverse interest groups - from public school activists and downstate voters to state officials and school...
May 15, 2026 Gov. JB Pritzker and Illinois Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders speak at an event at the Governor’s Mansion in March 2026. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jenna Schweikert)
IDOT targets young engineering talent with student loan assistance
By AIDAN KLINEMAN Medill Illinois News Bureau news@capitolnewsillinois.com Article Summary The Illinois Department of Transportation announced this week it will soon repay up to $60,000 in student loa...
May 15, 2026 A truck drives on Illinois roads. (Medill Illinois News Bureau photo by Jacques Abou-Rizk)
Ex-residents of apartment building targeted in massive immigration raid seek millions in damages
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com Article Summary Immigrant rights groups have filed federal tort claims against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security over the ...
May 15, 2026 The apartment building at 7500 S. South Shore Drive in Chicago, which was raided by federal immigration agents in late September, is seen on Oct. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Unit 5 teacher awarded $10,000 grant for wellness room
By WMBD TV NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) - A Unit 5 school district teacher is receiving a $10,000 grant to build a wellness room, focused on physical education. The wellness room will be called Wellness in Mot...
May 15, 2026 (Photo courtesy: McLean County Unit 5)
Illinois Wesleyan launches unique quantum science program
By WMBD TV BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) - Illinois Wesleyan University announced a new, first-of-its-kind program, focusing on interdisciplinary quantum science studies. The Fisher Quantum Center was fund...
May 15, 2026 Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, Illinois. (Photo courtesy: IWU)
Senate Democrats introduce bills to regulate artificial intelligence
By JENNA SCHWEIKERT Capitol News Illinois jschweikert@capitolnewsillinois.com With just two weeks left in the spring legislative session, Illinois Senate Democrats introduced an eight-bill package aim...
May 15, 2026 Sen. Bill Cunningham speaks at a news conference announcing the AI bill package on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. Cunningham said the package came, in part, out of a lack of federal action to regulate AI. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jenna Schweikert)
Advocates, accusing governor of 'lack of engagement,' urge passage of data center regulations by end of May
By NIKOEL HYTREK Capitol News Illinois nhytrek@captiolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - Environmental advocates continue to pressure lawmakers to require more transparency about data centers' water and e...
May 15, 2026 Jen Walling, the executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, speaks about the POWER Act at a May 13, 2026, news conference. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Nikoel Hytrek)
Bloomington City Council to discuss data center moratorium
By WMBD TV BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) - The city of Bloomington announced its plans to discuss a temporary moratorium on hyperscale data centers at an upcoming meeting. The potential moratorium will be ...
May 14, 2026 (Photo courtesy: File)
IDPH warns of animal, pest-borne illnesses during warm weather
By WMBD TV SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD) - The Illinois Department of Public Health is reminding Illinoisans that warmer weather increases the risk of illnesses carried by animals and biting pests. While e...
May 14, 2026
Dutch Bros Coffee brings energy and excitement to Bloomington
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) - Dutch Bros Coffee in Bloomington opened its doors early Wednesday morning, marking its official start in the city. Dutch Bros is located at 502 IAA Drive, where the old Band...
May 14, 2026
