Category Archives: Local News
New taxes on sports bets, nicotine products as Democrats pass $55.2B budget
Spending plan raises over $1B in revenue; income, sales taxes not affected By BEN SZALINSKI & JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - Giving almost no time f...
Jun 01, 2025 House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and members of his Democratic caucus applaud members of their staff early Sunday morning after the chamber approved the $55.2 billion budget bill. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)
Amid uncertainty in Washington, Illinois lawmakers pass slimmed-down Medicaid package
Republicans object to coverage for asylum seekers, other noncitizens on special visas By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - Nearly every year, Illinois ...
Jun 01, 2025 State Rep. Anna Moeller, D-Elgin, presents her Medicaid legislation on the House floor on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)
Police Beat for Sunday, June 1st, 2025
Marion County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 50-year-old Christopher Walker of East 13th in Junction City after he allegedly struck a vehicle at the residence with a sledgehammer. Walker was later releas...
Jun 01, 2025
Lawmakers unveil $55B spending plan with just 1 day left to pass it
Senator says no new taxes on sales or income but full revenue plan is not yet public By BEN SZALINSKI & JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Demo...
May 31, 2025 State Sen. Elgie Sims, a Chicago Democrat and the Senate’s lead budget negotiator, briefs reporters on the state budget Friday evening. The $55 billion spending measure was filed late Friday — one day before lawmakers were scheduled to adjourn. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew Adams)
Centralia man receives three-year prison term after drug court participation revoked
A 29-year-old Centralia man has been sentenced to three years in prison after his drug court participation was earlier revoked. Anthony Hernandez of North Hickory received three sentences all to be se...
May 31, 2025 Anthony Hernandez
Police Beat for Saturday, May 31st, 2025
A 49-year-old Salem man has been arrested by Marion County Sheriff's Deputies for domestic battery. John Treese remains in the Marion County Jail until a final decision on formal charges and a first a...
May 31, 2025
Prosecutors ask judge to sentence ex-Speaker Madigan to 12 ½ years in prison
Madigan asks for 5 years' probation, 1 year of home detention ahead of June sentencing By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO - Federal prosecutors are asking f...
May 31, 2025 Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan leaves Chicago's Dirksen Federal Courthouse after a jury convicted him on 10 of 23 corruption charges on Feb. 12, 2025. Ahead of his June 13 sentencing, federal prosecutors are recommending Madigan be sentenced to 12 ½ years in prison, plus a $1.5 million fine. The former speaker is asking for five years’ probation, including one year of home detention. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew Adams)
State Legislature down to final two days to pass budget before overtime
The Illinois Legislature has until midnight Saturday to pass a budget without the need for a supermajority. House Republican lawmakers discussed a lack of budget transparency, advocated for reform mea...
May 30, 2025 Matt Turner / CC
Theme selected for Little Egypt Festival Parade
The theme has been selected for this year's Little Egypt Festival Parade. General Chair Jay Henke made the announcement. "The theme this year is 'Are You Board? Let's play a game,'" Henke said. "We're...
May 30, 2025 File: Photo of the 2024 Little Egypt Parade from the aerial platform of the Salem Fire Protection District Truck. (Photo: Salem Fire Protection District)
Godfrey man faces armed violence and multiple charges following traffic stop in Centralia
A 48-year-old Godfrey man faces multiple charges following a traffic stop on Sunday in Centralia. Christopher Smith was charged in Marion County Court with armed violence, unlawful possession with int...
May 30, 2025
