Area Breaking News
Holiday magic fills Tri-Township Public Library during first Santa Story Time
The Tri-Township Public Library turned into a North Pole outpost this week, hosting two magical Santa Story Time sessions on Dec. 15 and Dec. 18. The events drew families from across the area for a celebration of literacy and holiday tradition. After a cozy story session with Santa Claus, the library’s community room transformed into…
Read MoreIDPH releases first-ever report on alcohol use in Illinois
By Tribune Staff • SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has issued its first-ever comprehensive report on how alcohol is used, and sometimes misused, by Illinois residents. The report, entitled “Alcohol Use in Illinois,” collects and analyzes data from multiple sources, including IDPH’s own Illinois Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) and…
Read MorePayroll jobs up, stable in majority of IL metro areas in September
By Tribune Staff SPRINGFIELD – Over-the-year, total nonfarm jobs increased in five metropolitan areas, was unchanged in one and decreased in six, leading to consecutive months with year-over-year growth: Chicago (15 consecutive months); Lake (4 consecutive months); Springfield (23 consecutive months). Over-the-year, the unemployment rate increased in 10 metro areas and decreased in 2 for…
Read MoreMadison County Adoption Day 2025
By Tribune Staff • On Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, the Madison County Circuit Court hosted its Eighth Annual Adoption Day, finalizing adoptions for 36 children from foster care and uniting them with loving, permanent families. Many children in foster care endure waits of three or more years for adoption, and 20% will age out of…
Read MoreMore seniors now eligible for property tax relief under new Illinois law
CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is reminding senior homeowners of the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program, which has been expanded thanks to legislation signed by Governor JB Pritzker. Pritzker emphasized the importance of this legislation stating, “Our seniors have spent their lives building our communities and strengthening our state, and…
Read MoreIllinois Student Assistance Commission announces 2026-27 Illinois State Scholars
CHICAGO – The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), the state’s college access and financial aid agency, is pleased to announce the 2026-27* Illinois State Scholars. State scholars are chosen each year based on their ACT or SAT test scores and sixth semester class rank and are honored for their remarkable academic achievements. These talented students…
Read MoreGovernors can opt-in to Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program for K-12 scholarships
Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) just issued Revenue Procedure 2026-6 to allow the nation’s governors the ability to make an advance election to opt in to the federal tax credit scholarship program. The federal tax credit scholarship was enacted by President Trump and Congress…
Read MoreTrump administration sues Illinois over state law limiting federal immigration actions
State law allows residents to sue federal agents who violate their constitutional rights By Brenden Moore Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD — In an expected move, the Trump administration filed a lawsuit last week seeking to nullify a new state law that allows Illinois residents to sue federal immigration agents who arrest them in or near…
Read MoreFormer Marissa Police Officer, Granite City resident caught during Operation Relentless Justice
205 child victims located, 293 child sex abuse offenders arrested in nationwide crackdown, including four in the Southern District of Illinois By Tribune Staff FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS – The Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Relentless Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators. The nationwide crackdown resulted in…
Read MoreSemi-truck carrying spuds overturns at 55-270 interchange
Updated at 12:40 p.m. on Dec. 29, 2025 with information from the Troy Fire Protection District. TROY – A tractor-trailer hauling potatoes skidded off of a ramp and overturned Dec. 27 at the Interstate 55-270 interchange, closing it for about 3.5 hours. Per Troy Fire Protection District Chief Darren Davis, “We were dispatched to Interstate…
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