Category Archives: Local News
Battle over data centers in Illinois pits consumer costs vs. state competitiveness
Article Summary The debate over how to regulate data centers in Illinois is intensifying as lawmakers struggle to balance a host of competing interests. Illinois consumer advocacy groups are demanding...
Feb 20, 2026 While the AI race sparked heightened interest in data centers, most of the centers in the state are multi-tenant retail centers — shared by numerous organizations and highly connected with telecommunications, cloud computing and other providers. The Digital Realty center on Chicago’s South loop is an example. (Medill Illinois News Bureau photo by Gabriel Castilho)
Bill drafted by Illinois high schoolers would mandate vape disposal programs
Article Summary Two Illinois high school students worked with a legislator and stakeholders to draft a bill mandating disposal programs for electronic smoking devices like vapes. Producers would be re...
Feb 20, 2026 Pontiac High School students Andrew Diaz and Allison Hovaniec helped draft the bill that would mandate vape disposal programs. Completed as part of a class assignment, the duo said the experience was “life changing.” (Photo provided by teacher Paul Ritter.)
UPDATE: One person injured after stabbing near Peoria gas station
UPDATED 2:26 P.M. PEORIA, Ill. - An investigation continues into a Friday morning stabbing near a Peoria gas station. Peoria Police says officers responded to the Marathon at Knoxville and Forrest Hil...
Feb 20, 2026
First severe storms of 2026 moved through Central Illinois Thursday evening
By Brian Walder CENTRAL ILLINOIS (25 News) - Thursday's forecast called for an isolated risk of a strong or severe storm, and that's exactly what happened early Thursday evening. While most just saw s...
Feb 20, 2026 Midwest Communications
Former ComEd exec-turned-FBI mole in Madigan probe sentenced to probation
Article Summary Fidel Marquez, a former executive for electric utility Commonwealth Edison, was sentenced to two years of probation Thursday for his role in a yearslong bribery scheme intended to infl...
Feb 20, 2026 Fidel Marquez, a former Commonwealth Edison executive-
turned-cooperating witness, leaves the Dirksen Federal Courthouse with his attorney on
Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, after his fifth day of testimony in the bribery and racketeering
trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. (Capitol News Illinois photo by
Andrew Adams)
Group allegedly involved in dangerous high-speed chase throughout Peoria ordered detained
PEORIA, Ill. - All six teenagers allegedly responsible for a dangerous high-speed chase Tuesday morning throughout Peoria must stay in jail. The Peoria County State's Attorney's Office says 18-year-ol...
Feb 19, 2026 (File-1470 & 100.3 WMBD)
East Peoria pair arrested on alleged child pornography charges
EAST PEORIA, Ill. - Two people have been arrested by East Peoria Police on child pornography charges. Police say an investigation was opened on 20-year-old Gage Fandel after a tip was received that he...
Feb 19, 2026 1470-100.3 WMBD/Mike Sabol
Man injured in early morning shooting in South Peoria
PEORIA, Ill. - One man was injured after a shooting in South Peoria early Thursday morning. Peoria Police says officers responded after two shots were fired in the area of Marquette and Westmoreland, ...
Feb 19, 2026 (Midwest Communications)
OSF Cancer Institute announces expansion plans on 4th floor
PEORIA, Ill. - A multi-facet expansion is being planned for Peoria's OSF Cancer Institute in terms of the building and the people who work there. On Thursday, OSF announced that a certificate of need ...
Feb 19, 2026 Floor plans and a rendering is shown for what the 4th floor of the OSF Cancer Institute will look like once its construction is finished. (T.J. Carson/1470 & 100.3 WMBD)
Pritzker says Bears' statement 'not some confirmation that they're moving to Indiana'
Article Summary An Indiana House committee unanimously passed Senate Bill 27, which would create a public stadium authority with the power to acquire land, issue long-term bonds and finance the constr...
Feb 19, 2026 Gov. JB Pritzker delivers his 2026 State of the State address to a joint session of the Illinois General Assembly on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Pritzker did not mention discussions about a stadium for the Chicago Bears in the address. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)
