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Illinois school named among top 25 public colleges in US by Forbes
An Illinois university was named to Forbes' list of top 25 public colleges in the U.S., marking the only Illinois school to make the cut in the latest ranking. According to Forbes, which release its top 25 list earlier this week, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign sits at No. 13 when compared to other four-year universities.
Emergency water repair causes North Rockton Avenue closure
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The city of Rockford will be making repairs at 2203 North Rockton Avenue starting August 31. The city’s water division has been called to make emergency water repairs causing northbound traffic to be closed from Lawndale to Van Wie Avenues. The work is expected to take up to 5 business days. […]
Families explore Lockwood Park, learn about farm life
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - As the 2024 school season kicks off, kids enjoy their weekends off at Lockwood Park’s Fun on the Farm family event. On Saturday, families exploring Lockwood Park rode horses, wagon rides and visited farm animals. Through Sept. 28, the park district invites the community to take part in the Lockwood Park Fun on the Farm Saturdays.
Illinois Democrats see abortion rights as ‘fundamental’ issue in 2024
CHICAGO – Illinois delegates to the Democratic National Convention focused their attention Tuesday on reproductive rights, which some leaders say could eclipse the economy as a defining issue of the 2024 election campaign. “We want to be able to take care of our families. We want to be able...
Rockford Mothman Sightings Highlighted In New ‘Unsolved Mysteries’ Episode
While there have been several reported sightings in the last few decades, the city of Rockford is now officially on the Mothman map thanks to a new episode of Unsolved Mysteries. What is Mothman?. The Mothman legend started back in West Virginia in 1966, and since then sightings of a...
Rockford Jefferson QB Sebastian Bracius back in action after an accident forced him to sit out his junior year
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — High School football careers go by so quickly. Imagine missing an entire varsity season with an injury. That happened last year to one of the most talented players in the NIC-10, Jefferson quarterback Sebastian Bracius. Two years ago, as a sophomore, Bracius splashed onto the NIC-10 scene with the J-Hawks. He […]
Illinois Wants You to Design a New State Flag?
Starting next week the Illinois State Flag Commission is accepting submissions for a new state flag design. The commission is looking for ideas and designs from the residents of Illinois. The Illinois house or Representatives passed a bill last year, and the state senate followed on forming a new state...
“Overtime” Friday, August 30, 2024
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — The high school football season is underway in the Rockford area. Most of our local teams took the field Friday night for the first time. Scott Leber, Drew Collins and Tim Bailey bring the highlights, analysis and more to you in their latest episode of “Overtime.” This episode includes Belvidere North’s […]
Gov. Pritzker issues disaster proclamation for 7 Illinois counties hit hard by July storms
CHICAGO (CBS) -- More relief could soon be on the way for those impacted by the severe storms and flooding that hit the Chicago area and other parts of Illinois last month.Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday issued a disaster proclamation for seven Illinois counties, following extensive damage across the state.The declaration includes Cook and Will counties in the Chicago area, Winnebago County where Rockford is located, Henry County in Northwest Illinois, Fulton County in West Central Illinois, and St. Clair and Washington counties in Southern Illinois—for the damage from the severe weather that hit the area from July 13...
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.”
Man fighting for life after shooting early Saturday
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — A 26-year-old man is in critical condition at a local hospital after being shot in Rockford just after midnight Saturday morning. According to the Rockford Police Department, the victim arrived wounded at a hospital before 12:31 a.m. and staff notified authorities. Police launched an investigation into the shooting, but did not […]
Mello Dotson's pick six vs. Lindenwood made KU history
Mello Dotson had a feeling the ball was coming to his side of the field. As the KU cornerback lined up for the third play of Lindenwood's fifth offensive drive of the game, he looked over at the Lions' quarterback, Noah Glantz. As Dotson peered into the backfield, he noticed...
What’s open and closed in Central Illinois for Labor Day
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Labor Day is upon us, and many places are closed in recognition of the day. For the federal holiday recognizing the labor movement and the economic and social victories workers have secured, most government employees and students are off. School districts across Central Illinois, including Champaign, Danville, Decatur, Springfield and Urbana, […]
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