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24 different bands take to the streets of Decatur at Downtown Music Festival
DECATUR, Ill. (WAND)—The Downtown Decatur Music Festival is returning soon, and organizers want to remind people that they do not need to buy a ticket. In a Facebook post, organizers said the event is becoming popular enough for scammers to target. They remind people heading to the event that it is free. If you are a food vendor, you should only deal with the Decatur Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the head organizer, or the vendor organizer.
The Small City that Sprang Up in Illinois to Arm the Allies
In January 1942, a month after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, low-flying airplanes began appearing in the skies between Springfield and Decatur. Soon, farmers in the area were told they'd have 30 days to leave their land and urged to take as much personal property as they could in that time.
The Homework Hangout is one of many to receive a grant from Gov. Pritzker
DECATUR, ILL (WICS) — Earlier this month, Governor J.B. Pritzker granted a $15 million award to the Job Training and Economic Development Program. This initiative is focusing on increasing employment and industries who were affected by Covid -19. The Homework Hangout Club is a non-profit organization that serves people in need from academic help to homelessness. They are being awarded over $500,000 to extend these services to older age groups.
Decatur approves street restoration, water pits
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The City of Decatur approved several projects at Monday nights’ city commission meeting. They voted through restoring 9.4 miles of roads, plans to improve parking and the purchase of two pits of water — one 11.7 acre pit in Decatur and a 473 acre pit near Harristown. Officials with the city’s […]
Sewer replacement project underneath Lake Decatur underway to protect source of drinking water
DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - A project is underway in Decatur to replace an aging section of force main sewer on the east side of Lake Decatur. The project will replace a 10" cast iron pipe force main that was built in the 1950's with an expanded 14" PVC force main that will allow for redundancy and additional conveyance capacity from the southeast side of Decatur and Mt. Zion.
Decatur City Council to consider buying sand and gravel pits, roadwork updates
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The Decatur City Council is scheduled to discuss several topics at their meeting Monday evening. The city council is scheduled to approve their annual roadwork updates. Officials proposed restoring 9.4 lane miles along Mound Road, Taylor Avenue, Macon Street, Wood Street and Monroe Street. The contract for the work would be […]
Old Garfield School in Decatur to be renovated into senior apartments
The former Garfield School on Grand Avenue in Decatur will be renovated into affordable housing apartments for seniors. The $20.7 million project is being funded by the Illinois Housing Development Authority, Decatur Housing Authority, and Bywater Development Group, a private company. Construction is expected to begin in mid-to-late 2025. Originally...
Travel and tourism bring growth to Champaign, surrounding counties
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) — Champaign-Urbana received significant growth from travel and tourism last year according to Experience Champaign-Urbana. Data from 2023 shows increases across spending, job growth, and taxes generated for the local economy. ECU reports that travel and tourism supported 5,033 jobs (2.7% increase), generating $172.7 million in...
‘A revitalization of inquisitiveness’: Decatur School District finds success after first week of phone ban
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Pencils hit paper as students all across Central Illinois start their first day of school, but some classrooms look a little different this year thanks to new rules surrounding cell phone use. School districts like Decatur banned cell phone use for all students on school grounds earlier this summer. Three major […]
Arts in Central Park Right Around the Corner
There's a big event coming to Decatur, Hosted by the Decatur Area Arts Council. The Arts in Central Park is September 20th-22nd, says Executive Director, Jerry Johnson. The craft fair is put on by the Decatur Area Arts Council and Gallery 510, and those who agree to purchase art over the weekend, are allowed entry to the VIP preview party.
CMofIL opens new “Sound Garden” outside of museum
August 19, 2024 – The Children’s Museum of Illinois has opened a new outdoor exhibit for children featuring musical “plants”. A new Sound Garden has been installed that includes multiple musical “plants”, centered around a steel drum shaped like a sunflower. “You can’t miss...
Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce Hosts Business Luncheon featuring City Manager Tim Gleason
August 21, 2024 – The Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce will host a special business luncheon on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, featuring Decatur’s new City Manager, Tim Gleason. The event will take place at The Decatur Club from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM. This luncheon offers the opportunity...
Molina Health offering free back to school physicals Tuesday
August 19, 2024 – Molina Healthcare of Illinois is partnering with the Macon County Health Department to provide the Decatur community with free health care. The assessments are part of Molina’s mobile health clinic returning to Decatur this month. The mobile clinic will offer free school physicals, adult wellness exams, well-child exams, well-baby visits, prenatal and postpartum assessments, and blood pressure screenings. The Macon County Health Department will also be providing an immunization clinic.
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