As Governon JB Pritzker prepares to deliver his annual budget address, Senate Republicans are pushing for greater transparency in state spending, specifically related to programs for asylum seekers and undocumented residents. With Illinois facing a projected $3.2 billion budget deficit in fiscal year 2026, GOP lawmakers are advocating for budget cuts rather than tax increases to address the shortfall.
As Illinois faces increasing energy demands alongside its renewable energy goals, state regulators and lawmakers are grappling with how to address key challenges. A recent hearing brought attention to the issues surrounding energy generation, efficiency programs, and data centers’ growing electricity usage.
Illinois suffered a 95-74 defeat at the hands of #11 Wisconsin on Sunday, ending their nine-game win streak over the Badgers and a four-game winning streak in Madison that dates back to 2019.
In a heartbreaking case out of Rantoul, a 54-year-old woman has been sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to child endangerment resulting in death. Rachelle Brown was initially facing charges of both child endangerment and involuntary manslaughter, but as part of a negotiated plea deal, the manslaughter charge was dropped, and she pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of child endangerment.
The Urbana Police Department, in partnership with the Illinois Liquor Commission, recently completed two alcohol compliance operations aimed at ensuring local businesses adhere to regulations prohibiting the sale of alcohol to minors.
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank is gearing up for its 2025 Prom Benefit for Hunger Relief, presented by Martinelli’s Market, on March 1 at the I Hotel & Conference Center in Champaign. The event aims to raise $125,000, which will help provide 375,000 meals for neighbors facing food insecurity in the region.
A lucky Illinois Lottery player turned a cold winter day into a $1 million payday after purchasing a Lotto ticket online instead of braving the freezing temperatures. The player matched all six numbers in the Lotto Million 1 drawing on Monday, February 17, winning the $1 million prize. The winning numbers were 8-16-20-25-42-46.
Julio Cucul Bol, the man accused of causing a deadly hit-and-run crash in Urbana last month, has been extradited from Texas and is now in Champaign County, where he faces multiple charges. Bol, who was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Milford, Texas, will be arraigned on Tuesday, followed by a detention hearing on Wednesday.
The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is reminding senior citizens about the availability of the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program. This valuable program, designed to assist qualified seniors, allows them to defer all or part of their property taxes and special assessment payments on their primary residences. The deadline to apply for the program this year is March 1.
Jones’ coaching legacy spans over 39 years, with notable tenures at Southern Illinois University (SIU) and the University of Illinois. As the head coach at Illinois from 1991 to 2005, he led the Illini to significant achievements, including Big Ten regular-season championships in 1998 and 2005. His leadership at SIU from 1970 to 1991 resulted in seven Missouri Valley Conference titles and three College World Series appearances.
