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Chatham Approves FY 2014 Budget
Village spending in Chatham will rise next year. Chatham officials approved the hike Tuesday.The village approved to increase...
Illinois Tea Party Wants Investigation of Obama
Members of the Illinois Tea Party are demanding President Obama be investigated for the revelation the IRS focused on the pol...
Illinois Announces New Local Parks Program, Decatur Park District to get $400K
As part of a local parks program, the state will provide the Decatur Park District with $400,000 in state money for a par...
DeWitt County Votes to Remove State's Attorney
The DeWitt County Board has voted to ask a judge for permission to fire the county's state's attorney as their legal ...
Sangamon Co. Sheriff Adds Bicycles to Arsenal
The Sangamon County Sheriff's Department is adding bike cops to patrols.Green Toyota donated two fully equipped patrol bi...
White Oaks Renovations "99 Percent Complete"
Springfield's White Oaks mall not only got a new look, but it's welcoming some new stores.The renovations are 99 perc...
Springfield Branch Pickup Starts This Week
Springfield's free branch pick up program begins this week.Crews will begin picking up the branches starting with areas b...
Illinois River Surpasses All-Time Record at Beardstown; Still Rising
Beardstown Mayor Bob Walters expects the Illinois River to crest this weekend -- even though the river has surpassed its all-...
Developers Planning Upscale Subdivision in Chatham
The village of Chatham is getting a new upscale subdivision.The village board approved an annexation agreement with Moughan D...
Two Central Illinois Hospitals Among Best in the Nation
Two central Illinois hospitals are two of the nation's top 100.Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Lincoln and Taylorvil...
BGA: Mayors Shouldn't be Liquor Commissioners
As voters head out to vote for mayor, they are also voting for liquor commissioner.Under Illinois law, the mayor is the liquo...
Park and ride program available in Springfield
The Springfield Mass Transit District is offering a hassle free way to get to the downtown area. The first park and ride prog...
Menards Set to Open on Southwest Side of Springfield.
Menards is set to open the doors of its new store next week. The mega store will open on Chuckwagon Drive off of Chatham Road...
IDNR Promotes Outdoor Activities
Spring is just weeks away and the Illinois Department of Natural Reasources says it's time to apply for that fishing lice...
Park district recieves large donation
The King's Daughters Organization suprised the Springfield Park District with the donation of a Senior Life Trail Exercis...
Booth, McFadden Buildings on Historic Register
Two downtown Springfield buildings have been placed on the city's list of historic places.The Booth and McFadden building...
Mayor Proposes Midnight Festival Curfew
Springfield Mayor Mike Houston has done an about face on an idea he suggested last year to limit downtown weekend music festi...
Memorial, St. Johns Enact New Flu Restrictions
Springfield's major hospitals aren't turning patients away, but they've released recommendations for visitors in ...
Two Springfield Buildings Heading for Historic Designation
Two historic buildings could soon land on Springfield's list of historic landmarks.The Booth and McFadden buildings on ea...
Microbrewery Breaks Ground in Legacy Pointe
The Engrained Brewing Company broke ground this (Tuesday) afternoon with Springfield Mayor Mike Houston, Ward 6 Alderman Cory...
Questions About Diversity of Workforce in Gaming Industry.
Illinois Gaming Board appointee Maribeth Vander Weeleresponds to senators’ concerns about the makeup of the workforce i...
Mississippi River Levels Still Concerning
Farmers continue to watch Mississippi River levels decline as concerns about winter barge traffic increase.John Hawkins with ...
Video Gaming Getting a Fast Start.
Illinois gamblers are taking to the newly-operating video poker machines in bars and clubs around the state.An Illinois Gamin...
Feeling Sleepy? You Might Want to Get that Checked Out.
If you've been struggling to stay awake, but you are trying to get the right amount of sleep, you may need some help dete...
Children's Holiday Store Set to Open Saturday.
The Children's Holiday store is in the old Kiku restaurant (3325 Robbins Road) near Mariah's on the West Side. Execut...
Jerome President Stirmell Resigns
Jerome Village President Harry Stirmell cites stress, not an ongoing federal investigation, as his reason for stepping down T...
Bronze Lincoln Busts Unveiled in Courthouse
It's 2012, but the Sangamon County Bar Association is now celebrating the Abraham Lincoln bicentennial in a big way.Bar A...
Woman Beaten, Robbed Outside Conestoga Steak 'N Shake
A woman was beaten and more than $2,400 taken outside the Steak N Shake on Conestoga Drive in Springfield late last night...
Illinois Product Samples Offered at Schnucks.
Shoppers at Schnucks in Springfield can sample different Illinois food products today. Schnucks will offer free samples betwe...
Kidzeum to Move Downtown
"Let's Get This Thing Built" has gone in a different direction... perhaps the new slogan of the Kidzeum of Heal...
Purple Heart recipients memorial planned for Springfield
Troops who were killed or wounded while fighting for their country will be honored with a new memorial under an agreement sig...
Uncorked 2012
Uncorked!Friday, November 16th atErin's Pavilion at Southwind Parkfrom 6pm-10pm.(4965 South 2nd StreetSpringfield, IL)Tic...
CIFB Receives 5,300 lb. Pork Donation
The Central Illinois Food Bank got a 5,300 pound pork donation Wednesday.It'sjust part of what the Illinois Pork Producer...
Governor Quinn Understands Latest Casino Gambling Poll Numbers.
Gov. Pat Quinn says he understands the public's dimming view of bringing more casinos to Illinois.The governor saidMonday...
Some Construction and Road Closures Notes.
Illinois Route 29 near Athens will be closed starting Wednesday until this weekend to replace a Union Pacific rail crossing. ...
Brazil Trip Could Have Many Implications for Illinois.
The top trade official in Illinois says the state stands to benefit from last week’s trip to Brazil.“We are reall...
Cards RTW
Get your chance to win World Series Tickets for the St. Louis Cardinalsby registering to win at the following locations:Brahl...
A Good Time to Take A Drive In Illinois.
If you haven’t seen a scenic byway, the time is coming when you’ll be urged to do so.Annual Scenic Byways Week is...
Bacon Likely To Be Harder to Get and More Expensive.
Bringing home the bacon could become a lot more difficult in the near future. That goes for ham and pork chops too. The Illin...
Lower fees at Springfield golf courses
A special deal is being offered to golfers headed to the city's golf courses. Starting October 1st, the park district is ...
Higher prices are coming to the grocery store
Grocery prices are expected to increase after this year's drought. With the cost of gasoline and other living expense alread...
Memorial Medical Center to Expand.
Memorial Medical Center is planning a major expansion that will include new private patient rooms, operating rooms, plus a ne...
Sangamon County Coroner Identifies Motorcyclist in Fatal Crash.
The Sangamon County Coroner has released the name of the Springfieldman killed in a crash yesterday evening. 23-year-old Dust...
This Year's Route 66 Festival Benefits Veterans
About a thousand classic cars will be on display in Springfield Sept. 21-23 for the annual International Route 66 Festival.Th...
Williamsville Tornado Siren System To Be Upgraded.
Williamsville residents will soon have a new tornado siren system to warn them of dangerous storms. The village board passed ...
Pawnee Water Service Restored
The water is back on in Pawnee after an earlier water main break shut off service to the entire village, and led Pawnee schoo...
Pawnee and Dawson under boil order.
The Village of Pawnee is working to repair a main water main break at 13th and Carol. The village says it's unclear what ...
Art Spectacular Coming Up in Washington Park.
NewsRadio WTAX is proud to be a sponsor of the Art Spectacular at the Rees Carillon. This is a juried fine art fair and fine ...
Danville's Mayor Still Hoping for a New Gambling Bill.
The mayor of Danville, one of the cities whose jackpot dreams were at least suspended by the governor’s casino-bill vet...
Two Die In Chicago Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak
Two people have died from an outbreak of Legionnaires' Disease at a Chicago hotel. The Department of Public Health announced...
Health Department Works To Track Legionnaire's Exposure
The Chicago Department of Public Health is working to track down around 85-hundred guests of the Marriott Chicago Hotel who m...
John "Doc" Davidson Passes at Age 87
A long-time state senator and Sangamon County Board member has passed away. John Davidson, also known to friends as "Doc...
The state fair office open late this week to sell Mega-Passes
The Illinois State Fair Mega Pass Office has scheduled evening hours this week for last-minute Mega-Pass purchases. The offi...
Oak Ridge Foundation Almost Ready
Abraham Lincoln's final resting place, Oak Ridge Cemetery, will soon have a non-profit foundation bearing its name.Mike L...
Street closures may delay traffic
Archer Elevator Road between Greenbriar Road and Southwoods Road will be under construction starting Thursday, August 2nd, as...
Illinois Sets Tourism Record in 2011
Illinois saw a record year for tourism in 2011, and Springfield saw the benefits. State numbers show Sangamon County gained 3...
SPI Adds Charter Flight
A Nevada gaming resort will add a second roundtrip flight from Springfield to Laughlin.Thanks to a positive response after it...
Taste of Chicago Dishes Free Asian Carp
As Taste of Chicago got under way Wednesday, people lined up by the dozen for free Asian Carp.The fish is a pest in the Illin...
Gaming Bill On Quinn's Desk
The bill to expand gaming sits on Governor Quinn's desk but he won't say whether he's going to sign it. Quinn says he'll rev...
Some Travel Tips To Save Some Bucks.
Alocal travel expert is challenging conventional wisdom when it comes to booking family vacations.Elizabeth Thorp, who runs p...
Taste of Downtown childrens events to be held indoors
All CHILDRENS activities for Taste of Downtown on Saturday will take place INSIDE the Old State Capitol to keep the kids cool...
No More Motorcycle Wheelies
It's not unusual to see motorcycle riders pop wheelies and engage in other risky stunts on Illinois roadways but starting Jan...
Pied Piper Architectural Tour Cancelled
Downtown Springfield, Inc. has announced that the JULY PIED PIPER ARCHITECTURAL TOUR IS CANCELLED FOR TONIGHT. The tour was ...
Bridge Collapses After Freight Train Derails In Illinois
A bridge has collapsed following a freight train derailment along the Northbrook-Glenview border. The bridge was part of the...
The Central Illinois Foodbank celebrates 30 years
This is the 30th Anniversary of the Central Illinois Foodbank, and to celebrate they are holding an open house this evening.S...
Chatham Road fire station gets new doors
Construction and installation of new 12-foot tall doors is underway at Springfield Fire Station #9 on Chatham Road. The exis...
Civil War Re-enactment
Get a taste of what the Civil War was like this weekend in Springfield. The Old Northwest Volunteers will be re-enacting th...
Dozens To Retire From DNR
Dozens of workers at the state Department of Natural Resources are planning to retire and that could leave some parks without...
New attraction at Henson Robinson Zoo
A new permanent attraction has been added to Henson Robinson Zoo in Springfield.Zoo Director Talon Thornton says the HRZ Expr...
Meet the Mayor event set for this evening
The next "Meet the Mayor" event is being held this evening from 5:30 to 7:30 in the Mayor's office.The event is...
History Camp Offered for 3rd and 4th Graders.
If you want your third or fourth grader to learn more about the historic sites in Springfield then you should sign them up fo...
Soldiers Remembered at Camp Butler Cemetery..
Orin Hatton, Keynote Speaker at the Camp Butler National Cemetery Memorial Day Observance, says he thinks patriotism is alive...
Quinn Threatens To Close State Parks
Governor Quinn is threatening to shut down state parks because of the state's financial squeeze.Officials with the Depart...
Stamp Out Hunger this Saturday
The 20th Annual Stamp Out Hunger campaign is this Saturday. It's the largest food drive in the nation, where people leave...
Lanes to reduce on Cook Street
Beginning Thursday (May 10th) lanes will be reduced on Cook Street near the intersection at 11th Street to accommodate City W...
A Push for Springfield Area Residents to Become "Hometown Travelers."
Has it been a while since your family has trekked down to see the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, the Lincoln Home or Li...
It's motorcycle season - time to gear up for a safe ride!
With motorcycle riding season officially under way, IDOT, Illinois State Police, Gold Wing Road Riders Association, and ABATE...
Park District Asking Smokers to "Put it Out" Near Playgrounds.
The Springfield Park District Board has approved an ordinance to put up signs at Washington and Lincoln Parks advising parkgo...
Prisons To Cut Back On Weekend, Holiday Meals
The weekend dining schedule is about to change for thousands of Illinois prison inmates. As part of an effort to cut costs, ...
Two county roads to close for bridge replacements
The Sangamon County Highway Department will begin two bridge replacement projects next week. Buckhart Road will be closed sta...
Cook Street lanes to be reduced for water work
Beginning Monday, April 2nd, one east-bound lane in the 2000 block of E. Cook Street will be reduced during a CWLP water main...
Clydesdale Tours Begin Saturday
You can soon get an up close and personal glimpse of the famous Budweiser Clydesdales. The breeding facility at Warm Springs...
Zipline Coming To Metro-East
The Grafton City Council approved a business license for a zip-line to be constructed in the hills above town. It will be the...
The State Likely to Charge For Using State Parks.
The days of Illinois state parks being free to enter could be near an end. The state House has passed a bill to charge admiss...
St. Patrick's Day Draws Many to Downtown Springfield.
The St. Patrick's Day Parade in downtown Springfield did bring in thousands of people downtown and many of them stayed to...
Illinois Tourism Growing.
The tourism industry in Illinois is growing This is according to Warren Ribley, director of the Department of Commerce and Ec...
Direct Air Cancels Flights to Florida.
People who have booked their spring break flights out of Springfield on Direct Air need to start making alternative travel ac...
The American Cancer Society Awards Grants for Anti-Obesity Programs.
The American Cancer Society is awarding $250,000 in anti-obesity grants to help children learn to think healthy at a youn...
Camp Lincoln Road closed starting Friday
Camp Lincoln Road between Veterans Parkway and Lincoln Avenue will be closed starting Friday, March 9th, due to safety concer...
Lincoln's Tomb To Get Sword Back
The statue of a Civil War officer atop the Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site should be brandishing its sword again soon. A Ch...
State Highlights Diverse Travel Locations
Illinois is highlighting its quote, "culturally rich" events and activities on its official tourism website.The idea is to ho...
State Reaches Out To Gay Travelers
Illinois is wooing the homosexual community with the launch of "Pride Illinois." It's a section on the state's tourism websi...
Motorcycles Legally Go Through Red Lights
Illinois motorcycles and bicycles now are legally allowed to go through a red light without getting a traffic violation. It'...
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Try cross country skiing this winter
Rock Springs Nature Center near Decatur offers cross-country skiing for people ages three through adult. Maps are available f...
Slick Roads Causing Hazardous Travel.
Many drivers reporting accidents this morning throughout Central Illinois. As of 7:40am:Interstate 55 Northbound...just south...
Fewer Americans are obese
Americans are apparently making progress in the battle against the bulge. A new Gallup poll shows slightly fewer adults in t...
Capitol Renovations Uncover "Artifacts"
Illinois’ capitol architect says dozens of artifacts have been discovered as crews continue tearing down walls in the b...
New Springfield Convention and Visitors Director Starts.
Fred Puglia served his first day on the job as the new Director of the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau. Springfiel...
Enjoy Downtown Springfield After the Black Friday Madness.
Shop a little, dine a lot, wine a little and enjoy that is the theme this Black Friday for the store owners and shoppers who ...
Make Sure to Use Proper Thawing and Cooking Techniques on Your Turkey.
The Illinois Department of Public Health is promoting turkey safety as millions of Illinoisans plan to chow down this week.De...
Springfield Mayor Mike Houston Holds "Meet the Mayor" Session.
Springfield Mayor Mike Houston will open the doors to his office for thefifth time since his election. The Meet the Mayoropen...
Time Frame Narrowed For When Copper Sword Stolen.
The copper sword stolen from a statue at Lincoln's tomb was probably taken somewhere between mid-October and early November. ...
Gaming Bill May Be Considered By Senate When Legislature Returns.
TheIllinois Senate didn’t take up its version of a gambling expansion.The House version of the bill to add five new cas...