Category Archives: WJBC's Top Stories
Senate OKs police hiring reform, Sangamon County recall in response to Sonya Massey’s death
Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, speaks on the Senate floor on Thursday, April 10, 2025. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Peter Hancock)By BEN SZALINSKICapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capitolnewsillin...
Apr 11, 2025
Supreme Court rules House Republicans waited too long to challenge maps
Illinois House Republicans waited too long to file a lawsuit challenging legislative maps drawn in 2021, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled Wednesday.By BEN SZALINSKICapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capi...
Apr 10, 2025
At Jones trial, jury hears lawmaker bringing colleague into fold of ‘personal benefits’
State Sen. Emil Jones III, D-Chicago, exits the Dirksen Federal Courthouse on Monday, April 7, after the first day of jury selection in his corruption trial. Jones is accused of agreeing to bribes fro...
Apr 10, 2025
Bill banning dwarfism slur as mascot passes House
A bill in the House would require Freeburg Community High School to change the name of its mascot, which is considered a slur for people with dwarfism. (Photo courtesy of the Belleville News Democrat)...
Apr 09, 2025
Heartland hosting emergency exercise Friday
Heartland Community College. (Photo courtesy: Heartland) NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) - Heartland Community Collage announced that it will be hosting a large-scale emergency response exercise on Friday.The exe...
Apr 09, 2025
Judge rules Sonya Massey murder trial can proceed in Peoria County
A Macon County Sheriff's Office mugshot of Sean Grayson was taken on Oct. 24. Grayson, a former Sangamon County Sheriff's deputy, is charged with the first-degree murder of Sonya Massey, an unarmed Bl...
Apr 08, 2025 Sean Grayson. (Photo courtesy: Macon County Law Enforcement Center)
Illinois nursing homes seek Medicaid rate hike
Nursing homes in Illinois are pressing state lawmakers for an increase in their Medicaid reimbursement rates. (Credit: Shutterstock.com)By PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinoi...
Apr 08, 2025
Bloomington reversing some payments after utility bill errors
(Photo courtesy WMBD-TV)BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) - The City of Bloomington is encouraging residents to double-check their utility payments after an error on their Cycle 1 utility bills.The bills due o...
Apr 08, 2025 (Photo courtesy: File)
Normal Town Council approves Connect Transit’s potential expansion
(WJBC file photo)NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) - The public transportation system that serves Bloomington and Normal could soon expand to rural McLean County areas.Connect Transit currently only operates in Blo...
Apr 08, 2025 Connect Transit. (Photo courtesy: File)
Normal Fire Department mourns loss of probationary firefighter
(Photo courtesy: Normal Fire Dept.)NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) - The Normal Fire Department has announced the death of one of their probationary firefighters.Ethan Jeffreys, 23, died Monday after a battle wit...
Apr 07, 2025
