Urbana
LATEST NEWS
Pritzker signs 49 bills impacting elections, hunting, mobile park residents and more
(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted 49 bills Monday that touch on elections, hunting, mobile home park residents, criminal justice, education and more. House Bill 4621, effective immediately with some provisions taking effect July 1, 2025, creates the Office of Statewide Pretrial Services within the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts. The move allows the office to provide pretrial services to circuit courts and counties that don’t currently have pretrial services agencies. There has been an explosion of pretrial hearings since cash...
Illinois officials react to SCOTUS presidential immunity ruling
(The Center Square) – Reaction to the U.S. Supreme Court granting "absolute immunity" to the president of the United States when acting in his core constitutional duty is getting reaction from Illinois elected officials. Monday’s ruling comes in response to former President Donald Trump's claim that he has presidential immunity against the charges brought against him over actions he took as president. He is the first former president to face criminal charges. ...
Pritzker could sign reusable tenant screening bill, further regulating landlords
(The Center Square) – Illinois could become the latest in a string of states to enact a measure seeking to save renters money on repeated application costs with House Bill 4926 on Gov. J.B. Pritzker's desk. The measure would amend the Landlord and Tenant Act to allow a tenant to use what’s called a reusable tenant screening report when applying to rent properties. Proponents say the bill can save renters money by letting them get their own basic screening from a third party. The screening...
Mahomet museum brings Central Illinois history to present day
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Museum of the Grand Prairie in Mahomet is filled with exhibits displaying our culture. It’s a place to learn about the timeline of Central Illinois prairies and the primitive tools in our past. You can also learn about the history of Abraham Lincoln. “He had a very strong presence here […]
Martin Luther King Jr. statue returns to Illinois Capitol
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — After nearly two years, a statue honoring a civil rights icon is available for the public to view again. The Illinois Secretary of State’s office confirmed the Martin Luther King Jr. statue would stand again at its pedestal across from 2nd Street facing the Capitol starting Monday. Officials previously announced the […]
New Illinois laws on July 1st include gas tax increase, child labor law changes
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — On July 1st, new laws will go into effect in Illinois that raise the motor fuel tax, alter the child labor laws regarding social media, and grant driver’s licenses to undocumented migrants. Gas tax increase Currently, the tax stands at 45 cents a gallon. On July 1st, 2024, it will increase […]
6-year-old creates lemonade stand in Ogden, supporting young cousin battling brain cancer
OGDEN, Ill. (WCIA) — For most 2-year-olds, this stage of life includes milestones such as learning how to talk and walk. But, Forest Chandler in St. Joseph has spent the last six months hooked up to machines in the hospital instead. “Forest is full of life, love, and joy,” Jessica Vire, his aunt, said. “He […]
‘Hamilton’ star sells out Mahomet show, adds second night
MAHOMET, Ill. (WCIA) — A Broadway actor is returning to his home county in Central Illinois to talk about his journey and to sing a few hits. After selling out his July 20 show, Yellow & Co. in Mahomet is now adding another. Jonathan Butler-Duplessis currently understudies Aaron Burr, George Washington, and Hercules Mulligan/James Madison […]
Last defendant in Danville triple murder sentenced to life in prison
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — The third and final defendant to be convicted of murder in a Danville triple homicide received his sentence on Tuesday. The Vermilion County State’s Attorney’s Office said Cloanger Robinson, 22, was sentenced to life in prison by Judge Derek Girton. A Vermilion County jury convicted Robinson in May of murdering Nathaniel […]
Family of DPS student sues district after arrest of a substitute teacher
DECATUR, ILL (WICS/WRSP) — The substitute teacher who is accused of sexually assaulting a sixth grader appeared back in the courtroom this morning. Alley Bardfield, 32, was arrested in April by Mt. Zion police on charges of grooming and predatory criminal sexual assault of a child under 13. Now,...
Farmer City Police looking for naked home invasion suspect
FARMER CITY, Ill. (WCIA) — The Farmer City Police Department is looking for a man who illegally entered a house over the weekend while naked and appearing intoxicated. Department officials posted on Facebook that officers were called to a house on Richardson Street at 1:30 a.m. for a report of a naked man who entered […]
39-Year-Old Danville Man Faces Multiple Charges, Including Unlawful Use of a Weapon
THE FOLLOWING IS A DANVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT RELEASE. On Monday morning July 1, 2024, at about 1:15 a.m., Danville Police Officers attempted to stop a vehicle at S. Gilbert and 2nd Streets because an officer witnessed a traffic violation. The Driver initially refused to stop but finally complied with officers in the area of 9th Street and Highland Park Blvd pulling into a parking lot.
City of Decatur approves renovations of ‘Wee Folks’ building
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The renovation and modernization of a shuttered daycare facility in Decatur now has official approval from the city council. On Monday, the Decatur City Council approved the use of around $730,000 in funding from COVID-related funds to rehabilitate the old Wee Folks building, located at 1170 Orchard Street. The daycare closed […]
Lawsuit alleges mobile home park owner violated Bloomington tenants' rights
Two Bloomington mobile home residents are alleging the Texas-based company that bought the mobile home park they rent land from last year is violating their rights, according to legal documents filed in McLean County. Oak Wood Properties — which lists itself as the owner of five mobile home parks in...
Ballot challenges filed against RFK Jr., Springfield congressional candidate
The Illinois State Board of Elections received a slew of ballot challenges July 1, including several presidential candidates and a local congressional candidate. Records from the state election board show a Springfield resident is behind the challenge to 27-year-old Chibu Asonye, running as a Green Party candidate in Illinois Congressional District 13. The Champaign resident entered the race at the end of June and joins U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, and Republican challenger Josh Loyd.
Community solar: Evanstonians are helping flip the switch to renewable energy
If you live in Evanston and get an electric bill from ComEd, there Is an easy way to go solar and contribute to a shift away from climate-heating carbon emissions in Illinois. There are no upfront costs. You don’t need a sunny rooftop. You can live in a condo, and you can even rent.
D-186 about to hang up on student cell phones
Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The only question for the District 186 school board, in crafting tougher and more consistent student cell phone policies, is whether to spend upwards of $200,000 on special pouches that would hold – and disable – the phone during the school day.
Sherman launches investigation after over $175,000 worth of equipment is stolen
SPRINGFIELD, ILL (WICS/WRSP) — The Village of Sherman is on the hunt for a thief after someone stole more than $175,000 worth of equipment from the Public Works building Sunday night. City officials said the thief used an axe cut through the metal building that was holding the equipment...
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. 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. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.