Is the Fourth of July a federal holiday? What to know about Illinois closures

The Fourth of July is on Friday, and thankfully many Americans will get a well-deserved day off work to celebrate. But will you be able to send mail or withdraw money from the bank? Here's what to know about what will be open and closed on Independence …

First Financial Bank Completes Successful Book Drive in Northeast Illinois

Watseka – First Financial Bank (Nasdaq: FFBC) teamed up with associates and community members on a successful book drive in May, with 430 books dropped off in bins at the First Financial locations in Hoopeston, Watseka and Kankakee, and a grand total of 5, …

Illinois gas tax will increase starting Tuesday. Here's how much you could pay

Illinois' gas tax is about to rise starting this week, which will mean drivers will pay more at the pump. The increase comes as a number of tax hikes and new laws begin across the state starting July 1. The changes were part of Illinois' new budget …

Local representative against Illinois mascot ban

'Hidden gem': Growing number of visitors discovering southern Illinois as travel destination

Standing on the edge of a 300-foot limestone bluff in southern Illinois’ Shawnee National Forest, Machaela Sweeney could thank the perfect words she typed into ChatGPT for bringing her to the unexpected spot. “I literally looked up lush, magical, fairytale …

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema calls out tampering in college football

It is no secret that tampering is a big problem in college football today. On seemingly countless occasions, programs have reached out to players not yet in the transfer portal with the hope of convincing them to enter the portal and come to their school. …

Storm 18u Wins Illinois State Title

Congratulations South Central Storm 18u on winning back to back championships. Missouri State last weekend and Illinois State this weekend going 10-0 for both weekends. In a rematch of the double international semi-finals, they played another 2 hour double …

New taxes and laws going into effect July 1 in Illinois. Here's what you need to know

Illinois gas tax increase, new minimum wage and more: New Illinois laws in effect July 1

Most new laws in the state of Illinois take effect at the start of the year, but there are several big changes that will take effect Tuesday. That's because Illinois' new budget takes effect at the start of Fiscal Year 2026, which falls on July 1. …

‘Hidden gem’: Growing number of visitors discovering southern Illinois as travel destination

WOLF LAKE. Ill. — Standing on the edge of a 300-foot limestone bluff in southern Illinois’ Shawnee National Forest, Machaela Sweeney could thank the perfect words she typed into ChatGPT for bringing her to the unexpected spot. “I literally looked up lush, …