New child care options in Central Illinois offer 3 paths for meeting a big need

Central Illinois needs more child care options – especially high-quality, affordable options. There’s no magic wand to make that happen. WGLT found three business owners and nonprofit organizations that charted their own unique paths toward expanding child …

3 people shot through window of bar and grill in Berwyn, Illinois

Three people were injured after shots were fired into a bar and grill in Berwyn, Illinois, early Saturday morning. Berwyn police said that between 1:30 a.m. and 1:45 a.m. Saturday, the suspect got into an argument with someone at Junior's Bar & …

These are the new Illinois laws and tax increases starting July 1

Several new Illinois laws and tax increases take effect on July 1, 2025, including new rules for single-use plastics, a tipped minimum wage increase, and taxes on sports bets, vaping and gas. There are also new taxes and new rules for short-term vacation …

Severe storms possible today in Illinois. Weather radar, daily forecast

Some scattered thunderstorms are in the forecast for Illinois leading up to Fourth of July weekend, according to the National Weather Service. Heat indexes near 100 degrees and high humidity are also to be expected as we near Independence Day. Here's …

Historic Highlights: Illinois played a pivotal role at Gettysburg

This week marks the anniversary of Gettysburg, the most famous battle of the Civil War. The Union victory on July 1-3, 1863, checked the northern invasion of Robert E. Lee and is considered the turning point of the war. Several Illinoisans played key roles …

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Monday June 30th, 2025

(The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares reaction from various Illinois political leaders to two separate U.S. Supreme Court rulings issued Friday about the reach district court …

Illinois quick hits: Man charged with assaulting federal employee; gas tax increasing Tuesday

Man charged with assaulting federal employee The U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged a man with assaulting a federal employee outside the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago. Prosecutors say 36-year-old Joshua Rowell approached the federal judiciary worker …

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 …

'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 …

Local representative against Illinois mascot ban