Category Archives: Local News
Illinois to withhold nearly $500M in spending, citing federal uncertainty
Article Summary Gov. JB Pritzker's office identified nearly $500 million in spending the state can hold in reserve for the current fiscal year amid federal funding uncertainty. The governor had direct...
Jan 22, 2026 Gov. JB Pritzker listens to a question from a reporter during a news conference at a farm in Central Illinois on Oct. 29, 2025. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)
Dangerous cold to arrive this weekend in central Illinois
PEORIA, Ill. - A dangerous arctic blast will blanket central Illinois this weekend. 25 News First Alert Chief Meteorologist Brian Walder says the worst of the cold is expected to arrive Friday morning...
Jan 22, 2026 (National Weather Service)
Victim in rural Chillicothe house fire identified
PEORIA, Ill. - The victim in a fatal fire in rural Chillicothe has been identified. The fire occurred Tuesday afternoon in the area of Galena and Rome Roads. Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood says 6...
Jan 21, 2026 (Midwest Communications)
Beatification of Fulton Sheen could come in 2026
PEORIA, Ill. - The process to immortalize a Catholic leader from central Illinois could begin later this year. The Vatican is expected to soon announce a day for the beatification of Fulton Sheen, the...
Jan 21, 2026 Archbishop Fulton Sheen (right) is hugging Pope John Paul II in this 1979 photo. (Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation)
Driver who led police pursuit from East Peoria to Springfield dies
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The driver that led multiple police agencies on a chase from central Illinois to Springfield has died. The chase began Tuesday morning when East Peoria Police officers attempted a ...
Jan 21, 2026 (Illinois State Police)
Illinois rideshare drivers rally for unionization bill
Article Summary Rideshare drivers are calling on Illinois lawmakers to consider legislation that would grant them the right to unionize. Drivers held a rally at the Illinois State Capitol on Wednesday...
Jan 21, 2026 Rep. Yolonda Morris speaks at a rally with rideshare drivers in the Illinois State Capitol on Jan. 21, 2026. Drivers and lobbyists met with legislators to ask for support on a bill that would give rideshare drivers the right to unionize. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jenna Schweikert)
Peoria Heights finds compromise on parking for new development on Prospect Rd.
PEORIA HEIGHTS, Ill. - The Peoria Heights Village Board has reached a compromise on parking for new development along Prospect Road. On Tuesday night, the developer of 4425 N. Prospect, the current si...
Jan 21, 2026 (Ed Hammond/1470 & 100.3 WMBD)
Chicago man pleads guilty to 2025 hit-and-run in Peoria
PEORIA, Ill. (25 News) - A hit-and-run that killed a man in Peoria last year will end with prison time for a driver from Chicago. According to 25 News, 37-year-old Demoriele Sims pleaded guilty on Tue...
Jan 21, 2026 Demoriele Sims mugshot (from the Peoria County Jail).
Man dies in house fire in rural Chillicothe near site of fatal fire week prior
CHILLICOTHE, Ill. - A man has died in a house fire Tuesday afternoon in rural Chillicothe. Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins says the fire was called in just before 4:00 P.M. in the area of Galena a...
Jan 20, 2026 (Midwest Communications)
Teenaged girls arrested after reported fight at Peoria Richwoods HS
PEORIA, Ill. - Five teenaged girls were arrested after reportedly being involved in physical altercations outside the Peoria Richwoods High School gym. Peoria Police says officers were called to the g...
Jan 20, 2026
