Category Archives: Local News
Peoria men and community leaders continue to show up for city's youth
PEORIA, Ill. (25 News) - A group of volunteers continue to answer the call from Peoria's Police Chief to show up for youth in the community. Parents, guardians, and community members greeted students ...
Feb 26, 2026 (25 News)
Lawmakers take step to incentivize Bears to stay in Illinois
Article Summary The House revenue committee voted to advance a bill that could help the Chicago Bears build a stadium in Arlington Heights and avoid moving to Indiana. The bill would give local govern...
Feb 26, 2026 Steven Mahr, interim CFO for the City of Chicago, testifies at a committee meeting Feb. 26. Mahr cited Chicago’s history with the Bears as reason for the city’s opposition to a megaprojects bill requested by the team, asking legislators to work to keep the team within the city. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jenna Schweikert)
Marquette Heights man arrested on alleged child exploitation charges
TAZEWELL COUNTY, Ill. - A Marquette Heights man has been arrested on alleged child exploitation charges. The Tazewell County Sheriff's Office says 35-year-old Wesley Ratliff was arrested on Thursday a...
Feb 26, 2026 Will Stevenson/1470-100.3 WMBD
'Peoria Plays America' series gets underway at Peoria Riverfront Museum
PEORIA, Ill. - The Peoria Riverfront Museum is launching its inaugural Peoria Plays America series as part of its recognition of America 250. The series celebrates local figures from Peoria who have m...
Feb 26, 2026
Late Peoria-born, East Peoria-raised guitar icon Gary Dean Richrath (1949-2015), lead guitarist for REO Speedwagon, is featured in A Peoria Plays Exhibition at the Peoria Riverfront Museum. (Photo courtesy of Peoria Riverfront Museum)
Illinois Gaming Board approves plans for new Par-A-Dice casino on a barge
CHICAGO, Ill. - Boyd Gaming has received the go-ahead with plans to build a new Par-A-Dice casino in East Peoria. In a special session Thursday morning, the Illinois Gaming Board unanimously approved ...
Feb 26, 2026 A screencap of a slide from a video on the Feb. 5th presentation to the Illinois Gaming Board by Boyd Gaming shows an updated plan for the proposed new Par-A-Dice Casino. (Body Gaming/Illinois Gaming Board)
Illinois soybean farmers welcome federal aid, but fear long-term trade damage
Article Summary At the end of February, Illinois soybean farmers are set to receive special federal payments through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A total of $12 billion nationwide, with $11 bil...
Feb 26, 2026 A view of Illinois soybeans being harvested from the cab of a combine. (Medill Illinois
News Bureau/ courtesy Albers Farms, Blue Mound, Illinois)
Former Peoria Housing Authority employees, tenants blast organization, claiming mismanagement
By Liz Lape PEORIA, Ill. (25 News) - Following the Peoria Housing Authority's CFO termination on Tuesday and the announcement of the CEO's resignation, tenants and former employees have spoken out abo...
Feb 26, 2026 (Peoria Housing Authority)
East Peoria family displaced by fire
EAST PEORIA, Ill. - The East Peoria Fire Department was called to a structure fire Wednesday evening at a home in the area of E. Washington Street and East Road. Crews arrived around 5:18 p.m., findin...
Feb 26, 2026 1470-100.3 WMBD/Mike Sabol
Peoria NAACP leader receives state honor
PEORIA, Ill. - A Peoria community leader has received a state honor for his leadership. Peoria NAACP President Marvin Hightower was honored Wednesday in Springfield with the Jesse White Leadership Awa...
Feb 25, 2026 (25 News)
Man sentenced for 2021 South Peoria murder over money dispute
PEORIA, Ill. - A man will spend five decades in prison for a South Peoria murder five years ago over a $70 dispute. The Peoria County State's Attorney's Office says 24-year-old Marvin Alexander was se...
Feb 25, 2026 (File-Peoria County Jail)
