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Latest News Stories
New law sparks debate over Illinois school mergers, communities fear loss
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new law that could push school districts to study possible consolidation, aiming for efficiency and...
Casey Gears Up for 37th Annual Popcorn Festival: A Labor Day Weekend Extravaganza!
Fairview Park to Host Four Days of Music, Fun, and Free Popcorn CASEY, IL – Get ready, Casey! The beloved Casey Popcorn Festival is set to return for its 37th anniversary,...
Illinois in Focus: Rest area burglary arrests made; overdose awareness events planned
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Rest area burglary arrests made Two men have been detained in connection with a reported burglary at the northbound Interstate 57...
WATCH: Pritzker, Johnson defend public safety approach; campaign finance issue looms
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop discusses the latest...
Illinois quick hits: Record hotel tax revenues reported; grocer sentenced for SNAP, WIC fraud
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Record hotel tax revenues reported Illinois tourism numbers for 2024 saw an all-time high for hotel tax revenue. The Illinois Department...
WATCH: Policy questions loom as Pritzker announces ag investment, tax credits
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says a new fertilizer production facility in Douglas County is a major win for...
Starry Night
Darby Maschoff, daughter-in-law of Brian and Marla Maschhoff, brings a touch of classic art and color with her rendition of Van Gogh’s Starry Night to the southside of her in-laws’...
WATCH: Police officer, legislator: Seize opportunity to reform Illinois’ cashless bail
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Republicans want to change the state's no-cash bail law. Democrats say cashless bail is working. President...
WATCH: IL Hospital Association: $50B rural hospital fund ‘woefully inadequate’
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker continues sounding the alarm over federal health care subsidies as the White House...
Rotarian Shane Todd presents program at Rotary Club
Rotarian Shane Todd presented the program at Tuesday’s Rotary Club meeting at Richards Farm, updating Rotarians on the schedule of events for Casey’s 37th Annual Popcorn Festival over Labor Day...
Illinois quick hits: Chicago businesses at 10-year low; school admin survey closes soon
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Chicago businesses at 10-year low The number of businesses operating in Chicago has reached a 10-year low. Citing city license data,...
Pritzker unveils Illinois LGBTQ hotline amid debate over transgender athletes
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Reports of a transgender student being accepted onto the Conant High School girls volleyball team has...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lake Land College Board of Trustees for July, 2025
The Lake Land College Board of Trustees reviewed a nearly $60.8 million balanced operating budget and approved a new strategic plan at its meeting on July 14, 2025. The new...
