Category Archives: Top Stories
Illinois state parks draw highest number of visitors in more than a decade
The state spent more than $70 million installing breakwaters at the Illinois State Beach Park near Zion to protect the park's beaches. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew Adams)By BEN SZALINSKICapi...
May 09, 2025
Longtime Chicago friend describes first American pope as ‘very dedicated’
St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City. (Credit: Simone Savoldi via Unsplash)By BETH HUNDSDORFER Capitol News Illinois bhundsdorfer@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – As the red...
May 08, 2025
Immigrant health care programs boosted hospital bottom lines, study suggests
Demonstrators outside the Illinois Statehouse rally for immigrant rights during the 15th annual Latino Unity Day on Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Peter Hancock) By PETER HANCO...
May 08, 2025
Pritzker signs order to protect personal autism data in response to federal action
Gov. JB Pritzker is pictured in his Springfield office. He issued an executive order this week that bars state agencies from collecting and disclosing data about autism to the federal government unles...
May 08, 2025
Local reaction positive to the selection of a Chicago native as Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo. (Photo courtesy: Vatican News/X)PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) - As news spread about the news that an American had been chosen to be the new pope, a first in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Chu...
May 08, 2025
Robert Prevost elected the first American pope in history, will take the name Leo XIV
Pope Leo. (Photo courtesy: Vatican News/X)By WMBD TV and AP UPDATE: Pope Leo XIV, the American Robert Prevost, said "Peace be with you" in his first words as pope, offering a message of peace and dial...
May 08, 2025
Pekin man faces life in federal prison for enticement of minor
The case remains under investigation. (Photo courtesy: Flickr/File)PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) - A Pekin man faces up to life in prison after being indicted this week by a federal grand jury for trying to ent...
May 08, 2025
Central Illinois Airports enforcing Real ID policy
Carl Olson, CIRA Executive Director (left) and Melissa Beaver, Communication Director at CIRA (right) recently visited WJBC’s Afternoon Show. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) - The Real ID deadline is here, ...
May 08, 2025 Carl Olson (left) serves as the Executive Director at Central Illinois Regional Airport. (Photo courtesy: WJBC)
Bloomington Kiwanis hosts 15th annual Mother’s Day flower sale
Kiwanis volunteers helping out during the Mother’s Day Flower sale. (Photo courtesy Facebook/Kiwanis Club of Bloomington, Illinois)BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) - Mother's Day is just days away, and ...
May 08, 2025
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s Illinois stop on immigration laws called ‘publicity stunt’
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem speaks in front of a house in the neighborhood where progressive activist Emma Shafer was murdered in 2023. Noem holds a binder full of pictures of people she said are "still...
May 07, 2025
