Author Archives: Ed Hammond
New taxes on sports bets, nicotine products as Democrats pass $55.2B budget
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Capitol News Illinois) - Giving almost no time for public review, Illinois Democrats pushed through a $55.2 billion budget for next fiscal year late Saturday, bolstering coffers wit...
Jun 01, 2025 House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and members of his Democratic caucus applaud members of their staff early Sunday morning after the chamber approved the $55.2 billion budget bill. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)
Lawmakers unveil $55B spending plan with just 1 day left to pass it
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Capitol News Illinois) - Illinois Democrats introduced what a leading budgeteer described as a $55 billion budget Friday evening ahead of a Saturday deadline to pass the fiscal year...
May 31, 2025 State Sen. Elgie Sims, D-Chicago, talks to reporters in the Capitol rotunda. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)
Body found in rural Kewanee
KEWANEE, Ill. - Henry County and Kewanee police are investigating the discovery of a body in a rural area west of Kewanee. The Kewanee Police Department posted on Facebook Friday a concerned citizen d...
May 31, 2025 (Midwest Communications)
Illinois criminal justice advocates tout 'Clean Slate' legislation as 'economic boon'
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Capitol News Illinois) - Criminal justice reform advocates say legislation to seal criminal records for certain nonviolent crimes, which passed Friday in the House, would unlock eco...
May 31, 2025 Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, speaks on the Illinois House floor on Friday, May 30. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew Adams)
Prosecutors ask judge to sentence ex-Speaker Madigan to 12.5 years in prison
CHICAGO, Ill. (Capitol News Illinois) -Federal prosecutors are asking for a lengthy 12 -year prison sentence for former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, calling the longtime Democratic power br...
May 31, 2025 Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan leaves Chicago's Dirksen Federal Courthouse after a jury convicted him on 10 of 23 corruption charges on Feb. 12, 2025. Ahead of his June 13 sentencing, federal prosecutors are recommending Madigan be sentenced to 12 ½ years in prison, plus a $1.5 million fine. The former speaker is asking for five years’ probation, including one year of home detention. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew Adams)
Pekin police searching for armed suspect
PEKIN, Ill. - Pekin police says they are looking for a man who allegedly pointed a gun at a resident. Police say officers responded to a house in the 1300 block of South 13th Street. The homeowner sai...
May 25, 2025 Pekin Police Department
Peoria Heights fire chief fired
PEORIA HEIGHTS, Ill. - The Peoria Heights Village Board has parted ways with Fire Chief Dan Decker. The board, during a special meeting Saturday, voted not to renew Decker's contract. Decker had been ...
May 25, 2025 Photo: 25 News (File)
Four adults, six pets displaced by Peoria house fire
PEORIA, Ill - A house resulted in injuries to one person. Peoria firefighters responded to a report of a kitchen fire at a residence on Meadows Place off Sheridan Road. Battalion Chief Jeff Hascall sa...
May 25, 2025 (File-Will Stevenson/1470 & 100.3 WMBD)
Bradley baseball coach announces retirement
PEORIA, Ill. - Bradley University has begun a nationwide search for a new baseball coach. The University announced through a news release that baseball Head Coach Elvis Dominguez has retired. Domingue...
May 25, 2025 Photo: Bradley University Athletics
Schnucks Mango Salsa recalled
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Schnucks has announced a recall of Schnucks Mango Salsa. United Fruit and Product Company says the recall is out of an abundance of caution because the product contains cucumber that ...
May 25, 2025 Pholo: 25 News
