News From Here And There
Consumer Advocates, Rep. Du Buclet Issue Warning Against Alternative Electric/Gas Supplier Rip-Offs, Make Urgent Call For Legislative Reforms
After years of bad deals, billions of dollars in losses across Illinois, advocates warn of summer ripe for rip-offs, call for legislative reforms in HB 4313: The No More Utility Bill Rip-Offs Customer Protection Act As financial losses mount for Illinois consumers with alternative electric and gas suppliers, the watchdog Citizens Utility Board (CUB) has…
Read MoreAverage Gasoline Prices In Illinois Have Risen 46.3 Cents Per Gallon In The Last Week
Average gasoline prices in Illinois have risen 46.3 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.49/g today, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 4,378 stations in Illinois. Prices in Illinois are 50.8 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 31.6 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price…
Read MoreFree Colon Cancer Test Kits Available At Regional Drive-Thru Events
Free take-home screening tests for colon cancer will be distributed at several upcoming drive-thru events in Decatur, Jacksonville, Lincoln, Springfield and Taylorville, sponsored by the Regional Cancer Partnership, which includes Memorial Health, SIU School of Medicine, Springfield Clinic and HSHS St. John’s Hospital. “March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and we encourage everyone to take…
Read MoreStructure Fire At 774 W. Macon St. Remains Under Investigation
Decatur, IL – At approximately 15:44 hours on March 5, the Decatur Fire Department was dispatched to 774 W. Macon St. for a report of a house on fire. Upon arrival, fire crews observed heavy fire coming from the second-floor windows on three sides of a large, abandoned home. First-arriving companies immediately began fire attack…
Read MoreGov. Pritzker Asks State Department to Outline Evacuation Plans for U.S. Citizens in the Middle East
CHICAGO — Today, Governor JB Pritzker pressed the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar to take immediate federal action to protect Americans stranded in the Middle East following recent U.S. military strikes and responses. In a letter to Secretary Rubio, Governor Pritzker raised alarms over how…
Read MoreIRAQ WAR GENERAL: TRUMP’S GROUND TROOPS THREAT IN IRAN SIGNALS ANOTHER FOREVER WAR FOR REGIME CHANGE
Major General (Ret.) Eaton: “I was in Iraq… There will be an insurgency. Our troops will be much easier targets for extremists. Many will be killed in action or wounded. It will become more and more difficult to get out.” “If you think Iraq was bad, Iraq 2.0 in Iran will be so much worse.”…
Read MoreBudzinski Statement on U.S. Attacks on Iran, Calls for Vote on War Powers Resolution
SPRINGFIELD, IL – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13),released the following statement: “The Constitution is clear: only Congress has the power to send our nation to war. This is a grave responsibility — one we take with the utmost seriousness. But the same cannot be said for President Trump. Once again, he has disregarded the principle…
Read MoreDecatur Public Schools Board of Education Announces Dr. Nicole Nash Moody as New Superintendent
Decatur, IL – The Decatur Public Schools Board of Education has selected Dr. Nicole Nash Moody as the next Superintendent of Decatur Public School District #61. The Board will formally vote on her appointment at its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. held at the Keil Administration Building. Dr.…
Read MoreHIT AND RUN PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT AT OAKLAND AND ELDORADO
At approximately 0221 hours 2/24/26, Officers were detailed to the area of Oakland Ave and Eldorado Ave. reference a hit and run pedestrian accident. Initial investigation revealed that a 2013 Dodge Durango was traveling eastbound on Eldorado when they struck a pedestrian. The Dodge Durango then fled the scene. The pedestrian was transported to…
Read MoreWELFARE CHECK RESPONSE BY DECATUR POLICE OFFICERS ESCALATES TO RESISTANCE, DEATH OF INDIVIDUAL
On February 23, 2026, at approximately 2308 hours, Decatur Police Department officers responded to a residence in Decatur to conduct a welfare check on an individual reported to be in distress. Upon arrival, officers contacted the individual and spent a significant amount of time engaging in conversation to de-escalate the situation and provide appropriate…
Read More