Illinois

Illinois schools are now able to welcome students back for some types of in-person learning during the summer. The State Board of Education has issued guidance to districts to offer several programs.

Automobile dealers in Illinois were among the hardest hit businesses during the state’s COVID-19 stay-at-home period.

In Springfield, demonstrations continued over the weekend against police brutality and racism sparked by the death of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police.

Many speakers addressed how to create change at a rally called “Manifesting Our Momentum,” where elected officials and faith leaders took a prominent role.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin met with faith and community leaders in Springfield over the weekend at Union Baptist Church to discuss legislation to address police conduct.

Durbin said the measure - set to be introduced this week - would include a ban on the use of chokeholds, outline acceptable use of force by officers, and make recommendations on recruitment and training. He’s joining Sens. Kamala Harris and Cory Booker, both former Democratic presidential candidates, in sponsoring the Justice In Policing Act.

Hundreds of people gathered Sunday afternoon at the Peoria County Courthouse for the second peaceful demonstration held by Young Revolution, in honor of George Floyd and five local black men who died in police custody in recent years.

A couple hundred people peacefully protested for racial justice outside the Tazewell County Courthouse in Pekin on Saturday afternoon.

There are a lot of youthful faces behind Peoria's recent peaceful protests. Young Revolution led last weekend's "We Matter March." Another rally called "Are We Next" is scheduled for this weekend. WCBU talked to some of the organizers about what drove them to action and what they want to see from the Peoria community.

Gov. JB Pritzker said Illinois has now conducted more than 1 million COVID-19 tests.

A Norwood teenager is dead after a rollover accident on Cameron Lane early Thursday morning.

Emergency responders were called to the 600 block of S. Cameron around 2:30 a.m. on a report of a rolled vehicle potentially on fire.

Responders on scene found a fully engulfed Ford Ranger in a ditch.

The driver, Lucas Smith, 16, was headed north on Cameron Lane when his truck left the road and struck a drainage ditch. The truck rolled, landed on its roof, and caught on fire.

Bradley University President Stephen Standifird is apologizing and announcing changes after a statement he issued earlier this week regarding recent tensions and unrest drew backlash from the university's black community.

Protests and in some cities looting and destruction the past week in the wake of the death of George Floyd at the hands of police have taken place nationwide and in Illinois.  On this week's program, a discussion of the causes and consequences, and the reactions of the Governor and the Mayor of Chicago.

The Chicago Sun Times' Maudlyne Ihejirika joins the panel.

This week on Out and About, Jenn Gordon talks with Erin Buczynski and Jaci Musec about Sky Art Peoria. Musec is one of 5 artists whose works were recently selected to be featured on Adams Outdoor Billboards for one year, circulating throughout the tri-county region. For more information on the artists and art work featured in Sky Art Peoria visit https://artspartners.net/skyartpeoria/

A nurse no longer works at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center after making a Facebook post where she said "protesters make great hood ornaments."

In the midst of protests this week, there were plenty of messages sent along on social media about looting.  In some areas, those messages were just outright wrong. 

There were many incidents of vandalism and looting across Illinois. There were also false reports.  In some towns, the violence was non-existent. Some posted and passed along rumors of busloads of people coming to towns to loot. They were not.  

It has been an emotional and turbulent week in Illinois and across the country. 

While many have made their voices heard about issues like police brutality and systemic racism, others are picking up the pieces after vandalism and looting, often in communities of color. 

And the biggest question still looming is what happens next?  On this week's Statewide, we hear from those who say people and policies need to change.   

Black Lives Matter protests in Springfield continued Wednesday. Young activists said they aren't giving up on voicing their concerns anytime soon. 

The federally-funded COVID-19 testing site at the Peoria Civic Center parking lot is now open to everyone.

Peoria activist and mayoral candidate Chama St. Louis and the Peoria Community Bond Fund worked to bond four people charged in this week's civil unrest out of the Peoria County Jail.

A man is dead after a shooting in Peoria late Wednesday night.

Peoria police responded to the 1700 block of N. Bigelow around 11:30 p.m. on a ShotSpotter alert indicating five rounds fired.

Police found a man with a gunshot wound to the chest, identified as 30-year-old Ryan Greenwood of Peoria.

Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood said Greenwood was shot multiple times on his upper and lower body, and likely died instantly.

This is Peoria's fifth reported homicide of 2020.

Nearly 100 people gathered last night in the parking lot of Sous Chef grocery store in Peoria’s Warehouse District at a vigil for George Floyd and what organizers described as a peaceful gathering of community connection and support in the effort to end systemic racism.

At least three Illinois House members say they want a special legislative session to strike on issues of law enforcement reform and accountability while police brutality has the nation’s focus.

At least three Illinois House members say they want a special legislative session to strike on issues of law enforcement reform and accountability while police brutality has the nation’s focus.

The Peoria Fire Department has stayed busy this week, putting out fires set to businesses, homes, cars and dumpsters. At least 15 arson fires have been reported during the overnight hours this week.

Nine people were charged with felonies Tuesday in Peoria County Court in connection with the riots and looting that unfolded earlier this week.