Local News

The developer of vacant land off Court Street in Pekin will receive sales tax rebates from Pekin to help pay for development costs.

The county’s $174.2 million budget for 2026, which the county board adopted Thursday, devotes $31.7 million in capital projects, including $3.5 million in pre-construction services for Peoria County Jail upgrades.

Saying that he could not justify “playing with other people's lives” as millions of Americans went without their paychecks and benefits, Sen. Dick Durbin on Thursday defended his vote to reopen the government earlier this week after a record-long federal government shutdown that stretched more than seven weeks.

"If they’re not making any guns, what are they doing with the license?” said Josh Sugarmann, executive director at the Violence Policy Center.

The ideal of bipartisanship has dwindled in Congress and in Washington over several decades. The Dirksen Congressional Center in Pekin is holding an event to highlight the importance of that quality in helping government work well.

Dan Moon has served in the provost and senior vice president for academic affairs role on an interim basis since last year.

A $10,000 forgivable TIF loan from Pekin that will help pay for the construction of a new Carol House of Hope domestic violence emergency shelter has been reinstated.

On this week's episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with conductor Phil Witzig about the Morton Community Chorus and Orchestra’s upcoming performance of Handel’s Messiah.

Less than three weeks after a helicopter crash claimed the lives of his son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren, Darren Bailey said late Monday that he will move forward with his campaign for governor.

Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin insists “we aren’t leaving Chicago,” but the feds’ immigration campaign is expected to begin winding down. However, one source said they could come back with even greater numbers next March.

Illinois’ Dick Durbin was one of eight Democrats in the U.S. Senate to support a plan on Sunday night to reopen the federal government. The plan angered many top Illinois Democrats such as Gov. JB Pritzker and three candidates running to replace Durbin.

The Veteran Warriors hockey team touts itself as the only sports program in Central Illinois dedicated to rehabilitation and therapy for disabled veterans. They strive to provide a buddy-check support system and an experience for veterans suffering from PTSD, substance abuse, or other issues.