Central Illinois Weather Alert: Veterans Day Rain, Then 40s

Cold front brings light rain Veterans Day, November 11, before temperatures tumble Thursday.

I-270 Mississippi River Bridge completed

New westbound span opens Nov. 16, a Rebuild Illinois achievement advancing improvements to a critical freight corridor in the Metro East MADISON COUNTY — The Illinois and Missouri departments of transportation were joined by local leaders and industry partners today to cut the ribbon on the new Interstate 270 Chain of Rocks twin bridges crossing the Mississippi River, the centerpiece of a combined $531.6 million investment to improve safety and mobility while creating jobs and economic opportunity along a critical freight and travel corridor. The bridges are the latest achievement made possible by Gov. JB Pritzker’s historic Rebuild Illinois capital program, which is delivering billions of dollars in major projects across the state this fall. ​ “Illinois is the gateway to the world — representing one of the most important commerce hubs in the country. Whether it’s workers making their commute or delivery drivers moving freight, Illinoisians deserve a safe and reliable system to get where they need to go,” said Gov. Pritzker. “With the completion of the I-270 Mississippi River Bridge, we are creating better paying jobs, expanding access to regional travel and spurring economic growth for communities across the state.” Construction of the bridges has been overseen by

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker pausing public events for medical procedure

Illinois Fall Leaf Piles Can Shelter Ticks, And Deer Ticks Stay Active Into Winter

Those leaf piles look harmless, but Illinois experts say ticks can shelter in them well into fall. Rake, bag, and check yourself and the pets after yardwork.

5 Smart Ways to Save on Thanksgiving Dinner in Illinois

Thanksgiving dinner is getting more expensive, but Illinois families don't have to break the bank. Here are five easy ways to save money on this year's holiday feast.

Illinois Musicians Can Now Press Vinyl Locally, Cutting Wait Times And Expenses

Chicago's first vinyl pressing plant in three decades just opened in Hermosa, bringing record production back to a city that lost the capability years ago.

Illinois E-Bikes Faster Than 28 MPH Will Need a License, Title and Insurance Starting Jan. 1

Illinois e-bikes and e-motos that can top 28 mph will need a license, title, registration and insurance from Jan. 1, 2027 under SB 3484.

Most Illinois Families Don’t Know Garfield Park Conservatory Stays Warm, Green And Free All Winter

A 65-foot glass ceiling in Illinois keeps palm trees happy while snow piles up outside. Yes, palms. More than 70 of them grow in one enormous room on the West Side of the state’s biggest city. The building opened in 1908, and its outline was shaped to echo a...

“Kitchen-table issues drove my victory”: Ghaziabad-born Saba Haider scripts history in Illinois amid concerns over rising costs, bias

Illinois [USA], November 10 (ANI): India-born Saba Haider, elected to the Illinois General Assembly, has said her victory reflects the mandate of voters who prioritised everyday economic concerns, including rising fuel prices and the increasing cost of living, while describing her election as a moment of immense pride. Haider, who...

Aetna and BJC agree to one-year extension for Illinois retirees

Aetnea and BJC Healthcare have agreed to extend health insurance for Illinois retirees into 2027, following a planned cut-off at the end of December 2026.

Illinois seniors face fewer Medicare Advantage choices this open enrollment season

On a gray October morning in a bungalow on the Southwest Side, the stack of envelopes looked thicker than the coffee mug beside it. A retired bus driver spread the letters across the table and tried to match last year’s doctors to this year’s list. Somewhere in that paper pile sat a narrower set of choices than the one he remembered. Across the state, Medicare Advantage Illinois has become a story less about glossy television promises and more about what disappears when an insurer leaves a county. For people who built their retirement around a familiar clinic, a preferred pharmacy, and a premium they could recite from memory, the season feels less like shopping and more like triage.

Del Mar: ‘I’m not going anywhere’

(CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Election Day “was not the finish line. It’s the starting line,” said Aaron Del Mar (pictured, left, with gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey), the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor. He says the “national headwinds” brought down the GOP last week, and now –...

A primer on Local Edition

Anyone tuned into NPR Illinois on weekday mornings might've noticed a new show hitting the airwaves: Local Edition. But what exactly is Local Edition and what is it trying to do for central Illinois? To answer those questions, Ben Singson sat down with NPR Illinois General Manager Randy Eccles. —...

Memorial Health to close one of its Springfield facilities

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – A facility operated by Memorial Health is closing, at a time when mental health and the improvement of it is a very strong subject. Memorial confirms the Behavioral Health facility at West Lake will be shutting down by the end of the year.

The Secret Illinois Buffet That Locals Try To Hide From Outsiders

A truck stop restaurant that started in 1928 as a garage selling sandwiches is still serving an all-you-can-eat buffet today. That alone deserves a second look. The buffet starts at 6 AM. Breakfast favorites, comfort-food classics, and rotating dishes fill the line, with a soup and salad station waiting nearby.

Sangamon Co judge tosses data center lawsuit

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – A judge has found Sangamon County had an open process in determining whether a zoning change to allow CyrusOne to build a data center near Waverly. People who live near the proposed site sued both the company and the county. “It was very...

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...