Evacuation order lifted after Illinois chemical plant blast
ROCKTON, Ill. (AP) — Residents near a northern Illinois chemical plant were cleared to return to their homes Friday, four days after officials issued an evacuation order following a massive explosion at the plant. Rockton fire chief
Carbondale man arrested for residential burglary
CARBONDALE, Ill (WJPF) — A Jackson County man is behind bars after he was caught by police in the middle of a burglary. Carbondale Police say there called at 9:30 a.m. Friday to a residence in
Pritzker signs omnibus elections bill
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WJPF) — Governor JB Pritzker has signed into law a bill that expands access to the ballot box and moves the 2022 primary election date. SB 825 increases access to curbside voting, establishes permanent
Bear spotted in Franklin County
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ill. (WJPF) — A bear has been spotted in Franklin County. It was spotted Thursday in the southwest area of Rend Lake, near the dam. Residents are being told not to approach, feed, or
Foam containing ‘forever chemicals’ used against plant fire
ROCKTON, Ill. (AP) — A company hired to help extinguish a fire that gutted a northern Illinois chemical plant this week used foam containing toxic compounds that have tainted surface waters and groundwater across the U.S., officials
Illinois governor signs $42B state spending plan into law
CHICAGO (AP) — Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a $42 billion spending plan for Illinois on Thursday that includes $2.5 billion in spending from a multiyear federal relief package. “Illinois has taken a giant step forward toward true
Illinois joins states with vaccine incentive lotteries
CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois is joining the group of states offering millions of dollars in cash prizes and scholarships to encourage residents to get vaccinated, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Thursday. Illinois will offer $7 million in
With Juneteenth new federal holiday, Illinois offices close
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois government offices will be closed Friday in a nod to a new federal law, making Juneteenth an official holiday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Thursday. The decision by Pritzker supersedes a state
St. Louis gun-waving couple pleads guilty to misdemeanors
ST. LOUIS (AP) — A St. Louis couple who gained notoriety for pointing guns at social justice demonstrators pleaded guilty Thursday to misdemeanor charges, but the man left the courthouse defiantly pledging to “do it again” if