Illinois

Prospective undergraduate students applying to the University of Illinois’ three campuses won’t be asked about their criminal histories until after they’ve been admitted.

Democrat Mark Haasis is challenging Darin LaHood for the right to represent the 18th Congressional District. 

Eureka College is working with a state representative to erect a statue of Ronald Reagan at the state Capitol. 

The beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen is on hold at the request of some members of the Bishop's Conference.

OSF HealthCare said it is terminating its contract with Meridian later this month due to "millions of dollars of outstanding claims" unpaid over the past five years.

The Galesburg Public Library is wiping out all overdue fines for the holidays.

Library director Noelle Thompson says the library's asking people to donate nonperishable food, toiletries, and quarters for laundry machines instead.

"We're kind of running it as a pay it forward program, where we wiped all of your fines, here's a way you can give back to the community," Thompson said. 

The items will be given to patrons in need or local nonprofits.

Overdue items can be returned between now and December 30 for no fines.

Illinois' Department of Agriculture published its bi-annual study that looked at how to improve water quality by cutting down on pollutants that runoff into streams and rivers. Runoff has been on the rise lately, and officials say reducing it involves more than just farmers.

Quality local journalism from WCBU depends on your financial support. We need new contributors on Giving Tuesday who will give $10 a month. Please consider a contribution to keep public media strong in Central Illinois. If you already contribute to WCBU, thank you!

This story was last updated Dec. 3 at 7:55 a.m.

There are officially three Republicans and one Democrat running to replace retiring state Rep. Mike Unes, a Republican from East Peoria.

Beginning in January, all Illinois employers will have to start providing sexual harassment training for their employees.

Quality local journalism from WCBU depends on your financial support. We need new contributors on Giving Tuesday who will give $10 a month. Please consider a contribution to keep public media strong in Central Illinois. If you already contribute to WCBU, thank you!

Did you know Peoria is home to a nonprofit that provides medical and humanitarian flights for free? If you didn't, you're not alone. 

A new OSF HealthCare tool is screening patients for social factors that could impact their health.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s campaign operation is striking back against a group of former workers who’re suing for racial discrimination.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s campaign operation is striking back against a group of former workers who’re suing for racial discrimination.

Former campaign staffer Alaina Hampton has agreed to settle a lawsuit against the Democratic Party of Illinois and several political organizations tied to House Speaker Michael Madigan.

The Peoria Police Department is looking for a man who allegedly stole a van with a 6-month-old infant inside.

A man is dead after a single vehicle accident Saturday in rural Peoria County.

Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood said the accident happened around 11 p.m. at the intersection of Lancaster Road and Hanna City-Glasford Road.

38-year-old Joseph Herseman of rural Brimfield was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger was taken to OSF Saint Francis with non life-threatening injuries.

OSF HealthCare hospitals, doctor's offices, and home care services will soon no longer accept Medicaid and Medicare patients enrolled in a Meridian-managed plan.

This week's powerful winds pushed back the opening of East Peoria's annual Enchanted Forest to December 6.

The annual display in the East Peoria Civic Plaza is a part of the Festival of Lights. It includes a 35-foot-tall Christmas tree, lighted trees and displays, and the Terry the Tractor parade float.

The Enchanted Forest was originally intended to open on Nov. 30.

Click here for more information.

For our Thanksgiving-week episode, we take a step back from the day-to-day workings of state government to go deep on the federal investigation swirling around one of Illinois' most powerful people.

2020 is the 75th anniversary of America dropping atomic bombs on Japan to end World War II. Without Illinois, there wouldn’t have been nuclear medicine, nuclear power or nuclear weapons.

Quality local journalism from WCBU depends on your financial support. We need new contributors on Giving Tuesday who will give $10 a month. Please consider a contribution to keep public media strong in Central Illinois. If you already contribute to WCBU, thank you!

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is warning Black Friday shoppers to avoid illegally using handicap spaces to get a better parking spot.

Many Illinois colleges and universities are struggling to attract and keep students.  The problem, along with what some are doing about it, is outlined in the Illinois public radio series Enrollment Exodus. 

An Illinois Appellate Court threw out the child pornography conviction of a former Peoria police officer Tuesday.

Everyone has a holiday horror story. But it's not easy to keep controversy away from the holiday, not perhaps even advisable.

The Illinois Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that could determine whether a person convicted of battery can still own a gun.