Category Archives: Homepage
Friends of Constitution Trail enhance trail with tree planting
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) - The Constitution Trail runs around the entirety of McLean County, and the friends of said trail are planting trees to make the trail more beautiful. "The Friends of Constitu...
Jun 02, 2026 The main portion of the trail is located in Bloomington-Normal. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)
'We didn't have time': Pritzker, leaders defend adjourning without Bears deal
By BRENDEN MOORE & BEN SZALINSKI Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com Article Summary Gov. JB Pritzker acknowledged Monday that the Chicago Bears may be on their way to Indiana. But ...
Jun 02, 2026 Gov. JB Pritzker responds to reporters’ questions at a morning news conference on June 1. Pritzker said a Bears deal is not off the table, but still a long way from fruition. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jenna Schweikert)
Session slog ends in $56B budget, new taxes on social media companies, crypto, fantasy sports
By BEN SZALINSKI Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com Article Summary Democrats largely joined together to support the fiscal year 2027 budget as Republicans warned the plan will harm th...
Jun 01, 2026 Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, criticizes Gov. JB Pritzker’s budgeting on the Senate floor during debate of the budget on June 1, 2026. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)
Rideshare drivers could unionize in Illinois under bill passed by General Assembly
By JENNA SCHWEIKERT Capitol News Illinois jschweikert@capitolnewsillinois.com Over the past five months, a sea of rideshare drivers in yellow T-shirts flooded the Illinois state Capitol almost weekly,...
Jun 01, 2026 Supporters of the rideshare union bill celebrate in the Senate gallery after the bill passed on the floor. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jenna Schweikert.)
Coroner IDs man killed in Saturday wreck near Mackinaw
By WMBD TV MACKINAW, Ill. (WMBD) - The Tazewell County Coroner has released the name of the man killed in a Saturday wreck on Illinois Route 9. Coroner Charles Hanley said Jefferey Foster, 62, of Armi...
Jun 01, 2026
Schools to get funding increase, but less than some had urged
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com Article Summary Illinois lawmakers approved a budget after 4 a.m. Monday that includes the full $350 million increase in Evidenc...
Jun 01, 2026 Sen Elgie Sims, D-Chicago, debates Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Cherry Valley, on the Senate floor before the chamber approved the fiscal year 2027 budget. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)
Illinois lawmakers fail to pass Bears bill despite goal line push
By BRENDEN MOORE & BEN SZALINSKI Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - Despite a Hail Mary heave from the Illinois Senate in the final hours of the spring legislative se...
Jun 01, 2026 The state capitol building is seen in Springfield. (CNI file photo)
Pride events happening around Central Illinois this June
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) - Pride Month kicks off in June, and organizations in Peoria and Bloomington-Normal are planning several events throughout the summer. Peoria Proud Vice President Todd Northcutt sa...
May 29, 2026
Former Gibson City store employee sentenced 3 years for videotaping women, children in restroom
PAXTON, Ill. (WCIA) - A McLean County man was sentenced to three years in prison Tuesday for secretly videotaping women and children in the bathroom of his former workplace in Ford County in 2025. WCI...
May 29, 2026 (Photo courtesy: Flickr)
Insurance regulation bills clear General Assembly
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com Article Summary The House gave final passage Wednesday to bills giving the Illinois Department of Insurance authority to review ...
May 29, 2026
