Category Archives: Local News
Illinois Supreme Court grants expedited appeal in assault weapons ban case
Macon County judge ruled parts of the law unconstitutional By PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Supreme Court agreed this week to fast-track...
Mar 08, 2023 Republican state Rep. Dan Caulkins, center, joins other GOP lawmakers and officials from the Illinois State Rifle Association to discuss an upcoming Illinois Supreme Court review of a decision overturning parts of a recently passed assault weapons ban. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Peter Hancock)
State Prison Director stepping down; Senator Plummer says it's time for change
The person heading the Illinois prison system will be leaving the post April 1st after about four years on the job. Governor J.B. Pritzker made the announcement on Tuesday. He thanked Rob Jeffreys for...
Mar 08, 2023
Salem man pleads guilty to aggravated domestic battery, has home invasion and aggravated criminal sexual abuse charges dropped
A 60-year-old Salem man has pleaded guilty to an aggravated domestic battery charge in exchange for home invasion and aggravated criminal sexual abuse charges being dropped. Jeffrey Tate of West Warmo...
Mar 08, 2023
82-year-old Central City man pleads guilty to unlawful restraint in exchange for two criminal sexual abuse charges being dropped
An 82-year-old Central City man has pleaded guilty to unlawful restraint in exchange for two counts of criminal sexual abuse being dropped. Vince Ayala of Patterson Street was sentenced in Marion Coun...
Mar 08, 2023 Vincent Ayala
Former Salem man gets four year prison term
A 35-year-old former Salem man has been sentenced to four years in prison for felony domestic battery. Steven Schultz, who now has a Mattoon address, will serve the time concurrently with four year pr...
Mar 08, 2023
Police Beat for Wednesday, March 8th, 2023
A 45-year-old Centralia man has been arrested by Central City Police for alleged felony criminal damage to property. Jeremy Erlinger of Jeannie Drive is accused of spray painting a truck in the 300 bl...
Mar 08, 2023
Salem, Sandoval and Centralia City Fire Departments receive State Fire Marshals grants
Three area fire departments are receiving 2023 Small Equipment Grants from the Illinois State Fire Marshal's office. The Salem and Sandoval Fire Departments and Centralia City Fire Department are amon...
Mar 08, 2023
State lawmakers work to meet Friday deadline
Most bills need to pass out of committee by week's end By PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - Illinois lawmakers began working through mountains of propose...
Mar 07, 2023 Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega, left, and state Rep. Daniel Didech testify in the House Ethics and Elections Committee about a bill calling on community colleges and public universities to offer academic credit to students who volunteer to work as election judges. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Peter Hancock)
Illinois to relocate at least half of current residents at Choate
Officials acknowledged that news reporting had put a spotlight on conditions at facility plagued by abuse, cover-ups By BETH HUNDSDORFERCapitol News Illinois& MOLLY PARKERLee Enterprises Midwestne...
Mar 07, 2023 In an exclusive interview, IDHS Secretary Grace Hou discussed impending changes to the state’s system that serves developmentally disabled individuals. (Jerry Nowicki/Capitol News Illinois)
Salem's new Emergency Management Agency Director is named
The Salem City Council Monday night unanimously approved Mayor Nic Farley's appointment of Andrew Strong to head the Emergency Management Agency. Strong, who has been assistant director, will move int...
Mar 07, 2023 Salem's new EMA coordinator Andrew Strong. (Salem EMA Facebook page)