As electric vehicles (EVs) increase in popularity in Illinois, first responders are facing new challenges in adapting their emergency strategies. Powered by high-voltage batteries, these vehicles present unique risks during accidents, such as battery fires, electric shocks, and structural issues. First responders must quickly adapt to these changes in order to safely manage EV-related incidents.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Pulling back the curtain: Bipartisanship end-around. Partisan working groups have become the favored form of policymaking for House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch since he took over as the presiding officer of the Illinois House of Representatives in 2021. By all appearances, the working groups are his not-so-subtle way of shutting Republicans and, more importantly, the public out of the process. An end-around, if you will, to stave off opposing viewpoints.

Illinois is home to thousands of abandoned mines, which pose significant concerns for modern development. Over the past 150 years, more than 6,000 coal mines operated in the state, leaving behind a legacy of poorly mapped sites that create potential hazards for homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Alarmingly, only about half of these historic mines have accurate, accessible maps today. The incomplete records leave vast swaths of Illinois vulnerable to issues such as mine subsidence, where the ground above old mines can suddenly collapse, leading to severe damage to properties and roads.

At Woodlawn Cemetery in Forest Park, Illinois, there’s a 750-plot section owned by the Showmen’s League of America. This plot has a chilling past that has intrigued and haunted visitors for over a century. Known as Showmen’s Rest, this section of Woodlawn Cemetery is the final resting place for dozens of circus performers who died in one of the worst train crashes in U.S. history—the tragic Hammond Circus Train Wreck of 1918.

Bobcats showing continued rebound even with trapping.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced the doubling of bobcat hunting permits for the upcoming season. This decision shows the successful recovery of the bobcat population and teaches the importance of effective wildlife management in our state.

Chicago and Illinois as a whole have long been seen as pillars of progressive governance, but are now grappling with the severe consequences of their political decisions. While leadership touts victories like higher minimum wages, green energy policies, and making the state an abortion haven, the undercurrent of economic stagnation, rampant crime, and suffocating taxes tells a different story—one that thousands of Illinoisans are fleeing, and many more are suffering under.

Partisan working groups have become the favored form of policymaking for House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch since he took over as the presiding officer of the Illinois House of Representatives in 2021. By all appearances, the working groups are his not-so-subtle way of shutting Republicans and, more importantly, the public out of the process. An end-around, if you will, to stave off opposing viewpoints.

CRIME
Are we any safer one year after cash bail was abolished? One year after Illinois became the first state in the nation to abolish cash bail, the consequences are clear—public safety is being compromised, and the system is failing the very people it was supposed to protect. The implementation of the Pretrial Fairness Act, which went into effect on September 18, 2023, has sparked significant concern among citizens and law enforcement. The act has left communities vulnerable and undermined the authority of the courts to hold dangerous criminals accountable for their crimes. 

Nestled in the heart of Southern Illinois, Ferne Clyffe State Park is an oasis for nature lovers, hikers, and adventurers alike. Known for its stunning limestone bluffs, tranquil waterfalls, and diverse wildlife, Ferne Clyffe has been a treasured destination for locals and tourists for decades. Located just a few miles southeast of Goreville, this 2,430-acre park offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, where visitors can reconnect with nature and experience the beauty of Illinois’ great outdoors.

If "spooky" is your idea of a good time then the unearthly spirits in Illinois aim to please. The Land of Lincoln has plenty of haunted locales, ghostly gatherings and supernatural adventures you won't want to miss. 

Here is your guide to Illinois' spookiest places.

One year after Illinois became the first state in the nation to abolish cash bail, the consequences are clear—public safety is being compromised, and the system is failing the very people it was supposed to protect. The implementation of the Pretrial Fairness Act, which went into effect on September 18, 2023, has sparked significant concern among citizens and law enforcement. The act has left communities vulnerable and undermined the authority of the courts to hold dangerous criminals accountable for their crimes.

Welcome to our "3 Things You Didn't Know About" series. Our aim is to help you get to know your legislators a little better.

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The United States Postal Service (USPS) has proposed changes that will significantly impact package delivery times in rural areas starting after the holiday season. This proposal is part of the USPS’s broader strategy to address financial difficulties and improve their operational efficiency.

CORRUPTION

‘Everyone in the system is beholden to the speaker’: Opening statements kick off trial of ex-AT&T boss accused of bribing Madigan. AT&T Illinois had tried for years to win powerful House Speaker Michael Madigan’s support for a bill ending mandated landline service, but it wasn’t until the company’s president agreed to secretly pay thousands of dollars to a Madigan associate for a do-nothing contract that the deal got done, federal prosecutors told a jury Wednesday.

Illinois is home to an array of apple orchards that offer a delicious harvest and fun-filled adventures for the whole family. Across the state, orchards open their gates to visitors eager to enjoy crisp autumn days filled with apple picking, hayrides, and tasty treats.

Illinois’ apple orchards are a significant part of the state’s agricultural landscape. With over 1,000 acres dedicated to apple orchards, Illinois ranks among the top 25 apple-producing states in the country. Popular varieties grown across the state include Honeycrisp, Gala, and Jonathan, which thrive in the state’s fertile soil and temperate climate.

Last month, in a special dedication ceremony, the Peoria Riverfront Museum unveiled display cases that would ultimately feature duck decoys. But it wasn’t the decoys that were the subject of the celebration. It was unprecedented collaboration that resulted in the first business deal in generations between a central Illinois entity and the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma.

23 years ago, on a September morning that seemed like any other, America was forever changed. It’s a day etched into the collective memory of all of us, a day when the world stood still, watching as the unthinkable unfolded. The events of September 11, 2001, shook us to our core, but they also revealed the indomitable spirit of a nation bound together by resilience, courage, and unity.

Anyone who has visited the Illinois State Capitol in the past couple of years has noticed a lot of construction. The north wing of the Capitol is currently in the midst of a three-year renovation project which will bring the historic building into the 21st century while preserving its 19th century atmosphere and décor.

Route 66 was an iconic highway that captured the imagination of the American traveler and made for the quintessential road trip.  U.S. Highway 66 operated as a federal highway from 1926 until its decommissioning in 1985. In celebration of the historic highway's 100th anniversary in 2026,  the Illinois State Museum is collecting stories from individuals who experienced the Illinois leg of the original Route 66. 

FLAG OF ILLINOIS
Process begins to accept public suggestions for possible new Illinois state flag. The Flag of Illinois, which is the State seal on a white background (“field”) with the name “Illinois” under the seal, has bene in place since 1970. A key element of the flag, the State seal, was adopted in 1869. This 1869 state seal is an old-fashioned emblem, influence by the heraldic tradition of European aristocracy, which was adopted after the successful end of America’s Civil War. The seal draws a complicated picture that includes a triumphant eagle with an American shield, the State motto, a rising sun, key dates of Illinois history, and other symbolic images.

The Illinois Supreme Court recently upheld a lower court ruling that declared a controversial sweeping election law passed by Illinois Democrats unconstitutional. Senate Bill 2412, which House Republicans nicknamed the “Katie Stuart Protection Act,” sought to end the longstanding practice of allowing local party organizations to appoint candidates to the ballot for the general election in uncontested legislative races. The slating process requires a candidate to collect and file signed petitions by registered voters within the respective district, but Democrats tried to eliminate the slating practice altogether.

Periods of warm, dry, and windy weather can lead to the dangers of wildfires burning in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) urges Illinois residents to become more vigilant and educated on wildfire safety so that incidents of fires can be prevented. In the last decade there have been instances of large fires at state park properties. 

Central Illinois will soon have a new trade school focused on traditional Catholic education. San Damiano College for the Trades is expected to open the doors in the Fall of 2025. Kent Lasnoski, the president of the school, is excited for this new chapter in his life. He is eager to start offering quality education through trades such as carpentry, plumbing and electrical contracting.

In August of last year, House Republicans were fielding calls from doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals fearful that they would lose their jobs due to continued delays at the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), the state agency responsible for approving and renewing their licenses.

Something had to be done, Illinois couldn't afford to lose more healthcare professionals as we face a growing nursing shortage.

For many Americans, Labor Day marks the end of summer, a time for parades, picnics, events and store sales. But Labor Day is rooted in much more. The holiday was instituted in the late nineteenth century to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being.