Bates
LATEST NEWS
Springfield Mile kicks off after rain delay, races start at 3 pm
Springfield, Ill — After a brief delay, the gates are officially open for the beginning of the The Springfield Mile. Programming for the races was pushed back to the heavy rains from yesterday. Track crews worked through the morning to prepare the track for the bikes but due to safety concerns, the races were canceled.
Illinois health officials reveals first West Nile virus death of 2024
Illinois is reporting its first West Nile Virus death of the year. The person was in their 80s and lived in Lake County. Over the past week, two others have tested positive, according to the Lake County Health Department.
Illinois Government Agencies Use of Controversial AI Technology
CTA Using Artificial Intelligence Surveillance Program to Identify Guns in Stations. Earlier this month the Chicago Transit Authority (“CTA”) announced that it was currently one month into a year long pilot program with the private company ZeroEyes, a company that pairs surveillance videos with artificial intelligence to detect firearms. As implemented as part of the pilot program, when the AI technology software detects a possible firearm, a human employee is then alerted who reviews the footage for accuracy before they then alert the Chicago Police Department, the CTA and the Office of Emergency Management and Communications at the same time. Currently the CTA has paired the AI program with 250 cameras at various stations around the city, though it declined to identify which stations citing safety concerns. CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. said in a statement that “this added measure of protection provides additional peace of mind to everyone.” The US Department of Homeland Security recently reviewed the company’s technology and in a report stated that a group of first responders found that the technology was in fact “intuitive,” but advocates worry about the lack of public discussion and the effectiveness of the technology, particularly when weighed against potential violations to individuals civil liberties. ACLU Illinois spokesman Ed Yohnka in response to the news warned against the use of more surveillance tools, particularly when he believes these technologies, “all come with allure of adding more safety, but they never seem to deliver on that promise.”
Commonwealth Foundation gives Illinois an 'F' for labor laws
(The Center Square) – A new report says Illinois is failing when it comes to worker freedom. Along with Policy Analyst Andrew Holman, David Osborne, senior fellow of labor policy for the Commonwealth Foundation, authored the report titled, “The Battle for Worker Freedom: Grading State Public Sector Labor Laws.” “Well, I hate to say it. Illinois probably set a new standard for ‘F’,” Osborne said. ...
City of Springfield to continue debating spending $400,000 in CDBG money to build veteran center on Stanton Street
The City of Springfield is debating spending $400,000 of CDBG money to build a veteran center on Stanton Street. Be Neighbors Affordable Housing for Veterans Inc. plans to build a state-of-the art learning, technology, and resource. center. The center would provide a classroom and computer lab, on-site offices, and space...
Springfield-area Week 1 high school football top performers, scores and live updates
The high school football season kicked off Friday in the Springfield area, but weather delayed multiple games until Saturday. Here's the Week 1 top performers, results and schedule. This page will be updated through the weekend. ...
Simms Scores Three Touchdowns as CBC Defeats SHG
The Christian Brothers College High School Cadets defeat Sacred Heart Griffin 45-0 in a week one non-conference game. Cadet receiver Corey Simms scored three first half touchdowns in the win. CBC dominated the defensive side as well, holding the Cyclones to two first downs in the first half. SHG will look to bounce back at home in week two against Mascoutah.
UIS Teams Volunteer at Special Olympics Bowling Event
On Saturday, Aug. 24, members of the University of Illinois Springfield golf, baseball, and softball teams came together to volunteer at the Special Olympics Region H Bowling Event held at AMF Lanes. The Prairie Stars enthusiastically supported the Special Olympics participants as they bowled, fostering connections and community spirit. This event highlighted the dedication of UIS student-athletes to serving and uplifting others in Springfield. Lilly Hurt, reflecting on the day, shared, “The bowling event was a great example of the wonderful community that the Special Olympics has created. All of the athletes always show up with a smile on their...
Springfield’s Top 5 Country Songs – Check out the 101.9 The Wolf Top 5!
Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Maybe you saw our new #1 on the Grand Central stage at the Illinois State Fair just a couple weeks ago. Drew Baldridge takes over the top spot this week on the list of the five hottest country hits in the Capital City!
Hononegah comes out strong in opening win against Auburn
ROCKTON, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — The defending NIC-10 champions picked up where they left off last season, by winning big in conference play. They defeated the Auburn Knights 48-6 Friday night at Kelsey Field. For highlights, watch the media player above.
Williamsville Opens Season with Victory Over Auburn
Williamsville hosted Auburn in week one Sangamo action at Paul Jenkins Field on Friday night. After a lightning delay just 4 minutes into the game they picked back up about 9pm as the Bullets went on to win 56-27. Williamsville travels to PORTA next week while Auburn hosts New Berlin.
Former Cubs pitcher to headline 2025 Hot Stove Social in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS) — The Springfield Lucky Horseshoes announced that former Chicago Cubs All Star pitcher Ryan Dempster will be the VIP guest at the highly anticipated 2025 Hot Stove Social. The event will take place on February 3, 2025, at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Springfield. Ryan...
NOTEBOOK: William Sawalich chasing the Performance Seed Dirt Double at DuQuoin
A $20,000 bonus is on the line for William Sawalich if he can win the Southern Illinois 100 at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds on Sunday night. Sawalich became eligible for the Performance Seed Dirt Double’s grand prize by dominating the Springfield ARCA 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds for his first ARCA Menards Series dirt victory. With how efficient he has been this year, Sawalich believes he and Joe Gibbs Racing are more than capable of completing a clean sweep of the dirt events in 2024.
From flat track racing to beer and oysters – Lynch has your Weekend Rundown
Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – There’s plenty to do in the Springfield area this Labor Day weekend! Lynch with 100.5 WYMG has some suggestions with the Weekend Rundown. See even more options on the Capitol City Now events calendar.
Birthday to remember: Zach Smith, Maroa-Forsyth football rout Athens in season opener
ATHENS — Zach Smith had a good birthday. He not only made his first varsity start but also scored a touchdown reception to help catapult Maroa-Forsyth to a 47-14 Sangamo Conference victory over Athens on Saturday. ...
Maroa Forsyth Picks Up Win Over Athens in Big Sangamo Matchup
The Maroa Forysth Trojans picked up a 47-14 win over Athens in a big week one Sangamo matchup between two 2A semifinal teams a year ago. The Trojans will travel to Pleasant Plains in week two while Athens travels to Pittsfield. The Game of the Week is brought to you...
Winchester Post Office Closed Till Further Notice, Several Left Without Power Following Friday Storm
Scott County residents are picking up the pieces this morning after storms caused severe damage Friday afternoon. The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning just before 3:00 pm for Central Scott and Morgan Counties. Minutes later a severe storm tore through the Winchester area knocking down trees and leaving several residents without power.
South Jacksonville Asking Some Residents to Clear Curbsides for Oil and Chip Work
Some residents in the area will need to watch when and where they park their cars next week. The Village of South Jacksonville announced today that the Public Works Department will begin oil and chip work on a number of village streets. Weather permitting, oil and chip work will be...
Mount Sterling Park District has groundbreaking ceremony for pool upgrades
MOUNT STERLING, Ill. — The Mount Sterling Park District recently had a groundbreaking ceremony to begin construction of upgrades to the Joel Oliver Memorial Pool. The Park District received a $400,000 state grant through the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development program, administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. OSLAD grants can provide up to one-half of a project’s funds. The other half is up to the community.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.