Category Archives: Local News
OSF Healthcare names new president
PEORIA, Ill. - OSF Healthcare has named a new president. Sister M. Mikela Meidl was appointed president on Monday. She will take over the role from Michelle Conger, who will be OSF's new CEO after Bob...
Jan 19, 2026 (OSF HealthCare)
Illinois Medicaid program faces looming funding crisis due to federal changes
New federal law will restrict a key revenue stream used to pay state's share of Medicaid costs Story Summary New federal rules contained in President Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" will i...
Jan 19, 2026 The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services is the primary administrator of the state’s Medicaid program. (Capitol News Illinois file photo)
UPDATE: Victim in fatal pedestrian crash in Washington identified
UPDATED 4:31 P.M. TAZEWELL COUNTY, Ill. - The Washington woman who died Friday night in a pedestrian versus vehicle crash has been released. Tazewell County Coroner Charles Hanley on Monday says 63-ye...
Jan 19, 2026 Midwest Communications
GasBuddy: Peoria gas prices up a few cents, following national trend
PEORIA, Ill. - Average gas prices in Peoria have gone up 6.0 cents a gallon in the last week, averaging $2.85 on Monday, according to GasBuddy. Prices in Peoria are 1.6 cents lower than a month ago an...
Jan 19, 2026 Orin Zebest / CC
PAC supporting Stratton's Senate candidacy launches long-awaited ad
Article Summary A new 30-second TV and digital ad highlights Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton's status as Gov. JB Pritzker's governing partner and casts her as someone who will "take the fight to Washington ...
Jan 17, 2026 A political action committee supporting Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton’s Senate campaign launched its first ad this week, though a lapse in federal disclosure requirements briefly grounded the effort. (Screenshot from Illinois Future PAC YouTube video)
Cause of death for infant in rural Chillicothe trailer fire revealed
PEORIA COUNTY, Ill. - An eight-month-old girl likely died after the start of a trailer fire in rural Chillicothe. That's the ruling from Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood on Friday. Harwood says an ...
Jan 17, 2026 (Midwest Communications)
Pedestrian dies in vehicle crash in Washington
WASHINGTON, Ill. - A pedestrian has died after a crash in Washington on Friday night. 25 News reports the crash occurred at around 6:00 P.M. near the intersection of Route 8 and South Summit Drive. Ta...
Jan 17, 2026 (Midwest Communications)
States say paperwork tied to $10B funding freeze is an intentionally 'impossible task'
Article Summary Attorney General Kwame Raoul and the attorneys general of four other states filed a lawsuit after the Trump administration in early January announced a freeze on $10 billion for child ...
Jan 17, 2026 An excerpt of the lawsuit filed by five states against the federal government for its plan to freeze $10 billion in funding that helps to ensure access to child care. (Illustration by Capitol News Illinois, highlight added)
Illinois 'Clean Slate' law allows automatic sealing of nonviolent criminal records
Article Summary Illinois will begin a process to automatically seal criminal records for millions of adults in the state, after Gov. JB Pritzker signed the 'Clean Slate' Act on Friday. Critics objecte...
Jan 16, 2026 State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, speaks about the Clean Slate legislation she championed at a Jan. 16, 2026, bill signing ceremony. (Screenshot from Illinois.gov)
Peoria driver hits concrete wall after crash on Rt. 6
PEORIA, Ill. - Peoria firefighters rescued a woman from her vehicle Thursday night after it left the road on Rt. 6, near N. Shade Tree Drive. A passerby witnessed the vehicle leave the interstate, but...
Jan 16, 2026 Midwest Communications/Shutterstock
