New hospital planned on west side

A freestanding, 60-bed hospital costing $66.3 million and focused on rehabilitation for people after strokes, brain injuries, fractures and a range of other medical problems would be built on Springfield’s far west side if state regulators approve the plan in the next month or two. The for-profit Rehabilitation Institute...

New medical facility could be coming to Springfield’s west side

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) - A new medical facility is in the works for the west side of Springfield. Memorial Health and Encompass Health are starting a new partnership for a rehabilitation facility. The 60-bed hospital will focus on helping patients after strokes, brain injuries, and other medical issues. Officials said...

Illinois Roofing Company to Pay $700K in Workplace Harassment Settlement

Monday, November 9th, 2026 — An Illinois roofing contractor has agreed to pay $700,000 to resolve a federal lawsuit involving allegations of racial and sexual harassment, including repeated misconduct by a company vice president and management's failure to address employee complaints. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced...

Only One Illinois City Lands In The Top 25 Of Safest Cities List

One Illinois city cracked the nation's top 25 for safety, beating out bigger counterparts with a solid ranking.

IL Secretary of State’s Office hosts Veterans Day celebration

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The Illinois Secretary of State’s Office honored veterans a little early this year by bringing a variety of services to them. The Secretary of State’ Office hosted a Veteran’s Day celebration in Springfield on Monday. The office provided multiple services, including DMV services, to support military families and give them the resources they need.

Illinois voters pass proposals objecting to state anti-BDS law

Voters in eight municipalities in Illinois approved ballot measures last week registering formal objections to the state’s law barring state pension investments in companies that boycott Israel. The ballot measures will have no effect on state policy. But pro-Palestinian groups are celebrating the wins as demonstrations of shifting public...

Springfield could have a place for you to rehab

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – You don’t need to be in the hospital anymore, but you are not ready to go home. That is where the Rehabilitation Institute of Springfield would come in, if it’s built on the city’s west side. “They are seeking (state)...

THC Drinks Are Set to Be Removed From Illinois Liquor Stores This Week

Hemp-derived THC beverages containing more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container will be pulled from liquor stores and other traditional retail outlets in Illinois beginning Nov. 12, following the passage of a new state law that places tighter restrictions on intoxicating hemp products. The Illinois Hemp Act, signed by Gov. JB Pritzker in […]

Annual pumpkin smash returns to Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) - The city of Springfield and Evans Recycling held the sixth annual pumpkin smash in downtown Springfield Saturday. The event occurs the first Saturday of every November. The event is hosted to teach people that pumpkins can be composted instead of thrown in the trash. "It's better...

Illinois approves capacity increase at Carle Hospital in Urbana

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — The State of Illinois has approved an increase in capacity at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, according to a Carle spokesperson. In July, Carle proposed an increase of 16 inpatient beds and the addition of a 22-station observational unit totaling a cost of more than $34 million. A Carle spokesperson said […]

Saba Haider wins Illinois House seat with 71.2% of vote

Indian American Democrat Saba Haider has won election to the Illinois House of Representatives, defeating Republican Brian Scopa in the November 3 midterm elections. Her victory in the 84th House District marks another milestone in the growing political representation of Indian Americans in Illinois. Haider defeated Republican candidate Brian Scopa...

Homeowners 65 and older get an extra $60,000 off school taxable value in Texas, $20,000 in West Virginia, and up to $9,000 in North Dakota and $8,000 in Illinois

Homeowners 65 and older can have a slice of their home’s value taken out of the property tax calculation, and the size of that slice depends heavily on the state. Texas school districts must give an extra $60,000 homestead exemption, West Virginia exempts the first $20,000 of assessed value, North Dakota reduces taxable valuation by […]

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker pausing public events for medical procedure

Illinois Opens $240 Million in Heating Aid to All Eligible Households, With Applications Running Through Aug. 13

Illinois' $240 million LIHEAP is open to all income-eligible households since Nov. 1, with applications through Aug. 13, 2027 or until funds run out.

SMTD to once again offer free rides on Veterans Day

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) - The Sangamon Mass Transit District (SMTD) Board of Trustees at their last regular meeting waived fixed route fares for Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11th. “SMTD has fielded requests over the years for free rides for Veterans on Veterans Day,” said SMTD Managing Director Steve Schoeffel. “This...

Events across Northern Illinois on Sunday, November 8, 2026

Several local events including craft markets, a comic book convention, a theatrical performance of 1984, and an animal sanctuary open house are scheduled to take place around the Rockford area.

Terminated Employees’ Severance Claims Can Proceed, per Illinois District Court

A federal judge in Illinois earlier this month denied an employer’s motion to dismiss two employees’ claims under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act that the firm manufactured negative performance reviews to push them out of the company and avoid paying them severance benefits. The U.S. District Court...