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.

Walk Into Cozy Dog Drive In And You’ll Find Springfield’s Route 66 Hot Dog History

Some road trip stops sell food, and a rare few sell a whole chapter of American history on a stick. In Springfield, Illinois, one small counter-serve spot on old Route 66 claims a big title: birthplace of the battered hot dog on a stick. The batter recipe here dates back...

Darin LaHood Cruises to Seventh Term in Illinois' 16th District Over Paul Nolley

Republican Congressman Darin LaHood has secured a seventh term representing Illinois' 16th Congressional District, defeating Democratic challenger Paul Nolley in Tuesday's election. With 94% of estimated votes counted, LaHood held 58.8% of the vote, a wide enough margin that the Associated Press called the race in his favor just three hours after polls closed.

Illinois Night Sky: Mysterious Flashes Possible Nov. 16-18

With drones and unfamiliar lights drawing attention overhead, another celestial phenomenon is approaching its peak.

These 7 Illinois Restaurants Serve Mexican Food So Good You’ll Say “Ay Caramba”

Ready to find the best Mexican food in Illinois without leaving the state?. These 7 restaurants serve bold flavors and satisfying meals that’ll keep you coming back for more!. 1. El Tragón Taquería (Chicago) The name “El Tragón” roughly means “the big eater” in Spanish, and honestly,...

Walk Beneath Historic Air Force Planes For Free At This Illinois Aviation Museum

A Boeing 367-80 tanker, a relative of the famous 707 prototype, sits on a grassy lawn in Illinois, and you can walk right under it. No ticket booth. No turnstile. No base badge required. The neighbors are just as impressive. A C-141 Starlifter and a C-130 share the same neat...

This Illinois Restaurant Serves Holiday Meals Beneath A Giant Christmas Tree

A Christmas tree stands right in the middle of a department store dining room, rising so high it nearly brushes the ceiling. People book tables months ahead just to eat lunch under it. The room itself dates back to 1907. The walls are covered in walnut paneling, and crystal chandeliers...

9 Illinois Restaurants So Unusual They Deserve Their Own Reality TV Shows

Somewhere in Illinois, your burger can roll up to your seat behind a toy U.S. Army locomotive. It travels on a tiny track, trailed by model cars and a Lego caboose. I still can’t decide if that’s adorable or genius. The train is only one oddball on this...

Illinois drivers pay a frozen 48.3-cent-a-gallon state gas tax through Dec. 31 after lawmakers suspended the July inflation increase, the state revenue department says

Illinois drivers pay a state gas tax of 48.3 cents a gallon through Dec. 31, the same rate as before July 1, after lawmakers suspended the automatic inflation increase. The Illinois Department of Revenue says Public Act 104-0468, signed June 16, suspended the scheduled July 1 adjustment for six months. The department’s rate bulletin lists... The post Illinois drivers pay a frozen 48.3-cent-a-gallon state gas tax through Dec. 31 after lawmakers suspended the July inflation increase, the state revenue department says appeared first on The Financial Wire .

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs returned a record $307.8 million in unclaimed property to more than 567,000 residents, businesses and organizations in fiscal 2026

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs says his office returned a record $307.8 million in unclaimed property in fiscal year 2026, paid to more than 567,000 residents, businesses and organizations. The year before, the office returned $303.8 million to nearly 312,000 people. The money comes from forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, unpaid insurance benefits and similar […] The post Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs returned a record $307.8 million in unclaimed property to more than 567,000 residents, businesses and organizations in fiscal 2026 appeared first on The Money Overview .

Illinois Quick Hits: Feds say Ammons charges shouldn't be dismissed

(The Center Square) – In response to a motion filed by the lawyers of state Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, calling for the dismissal of her charges related to an alleged kickback scheme siphoning taxpayer funds directed to nonprofits in her district employing her daughter, alongside improper use of campaign funds, government lawyers say the charges should stand.

Black People Magic: Juliana Stratton & Election Day Firsts

Celebrating a magical, history-making Election Day with many firsts making history this week. Our nation got its first Muslim senator, first Latina governor, first Native-American woman governor and senators, several states got their first black governors including our neighbors in Wisconsin and (my Soror!) Keisha Lance Bottoms became the first black woman governor in the nation.

Ursuline Academy holding Christmas food drive

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) - Ursuline Academy in Springfield is holding a Christmas food drive. The food drive will benefit Catholic Charities’ Holy Family Food Pantry. It is being held Saturday, Dec. 5. Drive-thru and drop-off monetary or nonperishable food donations can be made at 1400 S. 5th St. between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m.

CPS, schools statewide want more taxpayer funds from legislature

(The Center Square) – Despite the state’s increased funding to public school districts in the budget, school districts want state lawmakers to find more taxpayer money to fund their operations. The Illinois House Appropriations committee on Elementary & Secondary Education on Thursday had a hearing on the future of the state’s Evidence-Based Funding program, which has increasingly fallen short of the goals set for it in recent years. The $9.96 billion Chicago Public Schools budget for the current year relies on $285 million in local Tax Increment Financing district funds and $150 million in state funds that have only been promised verbally by outgoing Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch to address the district’s $732.5 million deficit. Acting CPS Chief Budget Officer Emila Zoko said CPS finances aren’t just an issue this year, but the district has experienced growing needs after federal COVID-19 funds dried up. “The costs associated with meeting our students' wide range of needs continue to grow without dedicated revenue streams able to keep pace. CPS has faced staggering budget deficits each year since FY25,” Zoko said. But CPS wasn’t the only one to argue for more funds – the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association also urged

Cold Nights Call For These 7 Illinois Supper Clubs With Crackling Fireplaces

When the Illinois wind starts biting, a long dinner beside a real fireplace starts sounding like a smart plan. Supper clubs have always been about slowing down, with steaks, seafood, relish-tray nostalgia, and the kind of service that makes a Tuesday feel like an occasion. This list rounds up seven...

Presidential Library offers free admission Nov. 19 for Gettysburg Address anniversary

An original edition of the Gettysburg Address will go on display for a limited time this month at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, the only place in America where the public can regularly see Lincoln’s most famous speech written in his own hand. The speech will be...

IHSA Announces 24 Proposed Constitution and By-law Changes

The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) has received 24 proposals that could amend its Constitution and By-laws during the 2026-27 legislative cycle. The proposals were submitted by principals and official representatives of IHSA member schools. The IHSA Legislative Commission’s initial review was scheduled for Monday, November 2. The proposals...

Katin Houser Connects With Jordan Anderson For 5-Yard TD, Giving Illinois Lead Over Nebraska

An installer replaced the furnace but left the air conditioner boxed. An Illinois court upheld a $2,500 repayment.

An Illinois property owner paid to replace a failed furnace and add central air conditioning to a rental house in January 2023. The furnace went in. The air conditioner stayed in its box in the garage, and the dispute eventually produced an order to return the unit and repay $2,500.

Illinois reports $311.1 million in alcohol sales tax revenue for 2024

Illinois collected $311.1 million from alcoholic beverage sales taxes in 2024, accounting for 0.5% of the state’s total tax revenue of $66.9 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Annual Survey of State Government Tax Collections (STC). The State Government Tax Collections (STC) survey tracks five major tax categories...