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31 minutes ago

Chicago Bears sticking to stadium timeline amid uncertainty with Illinois incentives

"We will provide an update when we have a decision to share,” the team said in its statement.

Fresh
People decorated their cars with messages highlighting the history of Black Lives Matter before taking part in a procession through the city.

41 minutes ago

Annual Black Lives Matter procession continues tradition of advocacy and unity

People decorated their cars with messages highlighting the history of Black Lives Matter before taking part in a procession through the city.

Fresh
Tick Walking on Human Skin Seeking Place to Feed on Blood

1 hour ago

Health officials warn central IL residents to watch out for ticks this summer

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, ticks can spread illnesses including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, alpha-gal syndrome and ehrlichiosis.

Updated
The former Sangamo Club in downtown Springfield is about to have a new owner.

4 hours ago

Former Sangamo Club could become housing –SBJ

Asking price for the former Sangamo Club was around $600,000.

Man in a dark suit and light blue polka-dot tie speaks at a microphone in a formal chamber.

6 hours ago

Illinois lawmakers fail to pass Bears bill despite goal line push

Senate approves bill aimed at addressing concerns, but House punts the issue.

House Democrats surround Rep. Robyn Gabel, D-Evanston, as they vote on the fiscal year 2027 budget in the early hours of June 1, 2026. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)

6 hours ago

Session slog ends in $59B budget, new taxes on social media companies, crypto, fantasy sports

Gas tax increase suspended while new taxes on businesses plug revenue hole.

Excited Chicago Bears fan in an orange jersey and beanie throws up a Bears glove while holding a beer at the stadium in celebration.

1 day ago

Hope remains, but time is short, for a Bears bill

A budget bill awaits debate and vote.

Illinois State Museum

2 days ago

Route 66 exhibit opens at Illinois State Museum

Museum officials said the collection includes a variety of Route 66 memorabilia, such as vintage souvenirs, neon signs, fiberglass advertising figures and Burma-Shave signs.

2 days ago

Fun all around Springfield is on its way in June

Amy Beadle of Visit Springfield Stopped by The WTAX Morning NewsWatch to discuss all these amazing events.

State Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, speaking on the Illinois House floor.

2 days ago

Honoring ‘The Notorious BFC’

Much still undone at the Capitol.

Two college basketball players sprint toward the hoop during a fast break; Illinois in orange and FGCU in blue facing off on a crowded court.

3 days ago

Stojakovic returns to Illinois after withdrawing from NBA Draft

Illini wing gives Illinois another major boost heading into 2026-27 season.

The make and series are displayed on the side of a 1956 International Harvester S-130 pickup truck in Mason, Ill., Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Holly Meyer)

3 days ago

In farm country, an old American pickup truck becomes more than a workhorse

Pickups were made for work. Until the first purpose-built ones rolled off American assembly lines in the early 20th century, people DIY-ed their own.

Aerial view of a suburban residential neighborhood with well-kept lawns, two-story houses, and a curved street.

3 days ago

Are home prices going up in Springfield, Illinois in 2026?

Redfin Real Estate compiled data on how home prices are changing in 2026 in Springfield, IL.

Maid Rite has long been a staple along historic Route 66 in Springfield.

3 days ago

Long before McDonald’s, Maid Rite pioneered the American drive-thru

"The original way — mustard, chopped onion, chopped pickles, scoop of ground beef ... 1-2-3-4 this is what the Maid-Rite is. You made that in all of 15 seconds — I do 15 in a minute," said Owner Sam Quasi.

Student, mental health and depression with anxiety, burnout and sad for exam results, fail or mistake while sitting outdoor. Young man, stress and tired and depressed on university or college campus

3 days ago

New Mental Health Committee anticipates focusing on adolescent care

Chair: Adolescents of all races have some of the same mental health problems.

Mute swan swimming on dark rippling water, neck curved, orange beak with black facial patch.

3 days ago

Endangered … for a different reason?

A bill would make the mute swan a target.

Illinois State Police squad

4 days ago

UPDATE: Crews respond to crash on I-55 in Springfield

Injuries are said to be minor.

Democratic Rep. Thaddeus Jones speaks on the House floor on his way to passing a pair of bills to regulate the homeowner and auto insurance industries. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jenna Schweikert)

4 days ago

Insurance regulation bills clear General Assembly

Pritzker says he’ll sign legislation to regulate auto, homeowners insurance rates.

E-bike on the country road at sunset

4 days ago

Lawmakers approve bill to regulate e-bikes, scooters

Speed limits and age restrictions part of new limits.

4 days ago

‘Mamma Mia!’ takes the stage at The Muni

Performances the next two weekends at The Muni.

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Recent Headlines

3 hours ago in Entertainment

A guide to the bookstores owned by your favorite authors

Amazon remains the dominant force, but physical, brick-and-mortar stores have rebounded — and stores owned by authors such as Ann Patchett are now a niche unto themselves, found everywhere from Brooklyn to New Mexico.

4 hours ago in Entertainment

YouTuber box office boom: ‘Backrooms’ and ‘Obsession’ draw Gen Z to theaters

Young audiences turned out in droves to movie theaters around the country this weekend. It wasn't for the big budget "Star Wars" movie, "The Mandalorian and Grogu, " which fell sharply in its second weekend, however, but for a small budget horror from a 20-year-old first-time filmmaker that began on the internet.

2 days ago in Entertainment, Local

Fun all around Springfield is on its way in June

Amy Beadle of Visit Springfield Stopped by The WTAX Morning NewsWatch to discuss all these amazing events.

3 days ago in Entertainment, IL State News, National

Top federal prosecutor in Chicago denies investigation into E. Jean Carroll, disputing media reports

E. Jean Carroll attends Time100 gala at Jaz at Lincoln Center in New York on April 25, 2024

Andrew Boutros, the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, issued a statement roughly 24 hours after the first report was published saying that his office “has not opened — and has never opened — a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll.”

3 days ago in Business, Entertainment, IL State News, Lifestyle, National

ABC stations call FCC’s early call for license renewal ‘unconstitutional’

A small crowd gathers outside the ABC Channel 7 studio in downtown Chicago to watch a live broadcast of the 2008 presidential debates through the station’s street‑facing window. Pedestrians pause along State Street as the brightly lit newsroom displays the televised event, creating a moment of shared public viewing in the city’s nighttime streetscape. Chicago, IL, USA October 02, 2008

The FCC's move in April to begin early reviews of the broadcast licenses of ABC-owned stations in eight local markets attracted particularly close attention.