The Latest Breaking News from Springfield

This Women’s History Month, remember the rich history of women in Illinois politics

Twenty-three years ago, Loretta Durbin gathered a group of Illinois women attending the 2000 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles with an idea. From her decades spent around politics and lawmakers in Springfield, Loretta saw a tremendous need for more Democratic women in elected offices. She knew the policy impact…

Chicago Sun-Times · Mar 25, 2023

Illinois House OKs measure to allow the state to deny grants to libraries that ban books

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois House on Wednesday approved a measure that would allow the Illinois secretary of state’s office to deny grant funding to public and school libraries if they ban books or fail to devise policies against removing titles from their stacks.

Chicago Tribune · Mar 23, 2023

ComEd was pressured to hire politically connected law firm as it fought for key bills in Springfield, former top official testifies

ComEd’s former general counsel said he was told to sign the law firm of political operative Victor Reyes to an unusual three-year contract guaranteeing Reyes’ firm 850 hours of legal work a year.

Chicago Sun-Times · Mar 22, 2023

Another Norfolk Southern train derails in Ohio

The 212-car train that derailed outside of Springfield, Ohio, on Saturday was not carrying any toxic materials, several state and local agencies confirmed. The EPA will stay on site for cleanup.

WEKU · Mar 6, 2023

Second Norfolk Southern train derails in Ohio in a month

A Norfolk Southern Corp. train derailed in Springfield, Ohio, about a month after an earlier crash in the state that shone a spotlight on rail safety.

Tribune News Service · Mar 5, 2023

20 cars of Norfolk Southern cargo train derail in Ohio

About 20 cars of a Norfolk Southern cargo train derailed near Springfield Saturday evening, the second derailment of the company’s trains in Ohio in a month, officials said

The Independent UK · Mar 5, 2023

Suspect in shooting of Chicago police officer is charged with first-degree murder as city mourns

CHICAGO — On Thursday morning, about 100 people walked the two blocks from St. Gall Catholic Church in Gage Park, paying their respects at the block where Chicago police Officer Andres Vasquez-Lasso was shot and killed Wednesday. Later in the day, lawmakers in Springfield paused for a moment of silence.

Chicago Tribune · Mar 3, 2023

Springfield secures planning consent for Midlothian development

The Lingerwood site could include up to 1,000 new homes

Insider UK · Mar 2, 2023

Trial of 4 caught up in Madigan’s ComEd bribery scandal delayed by one week

The four were indicted in November 2020 and accused in a nearly decadelong scheme to sway Madigan. They allegedly landed his associates jobs, contracts and money while legislation crucial to ComEd’s bottom line moved through Springfield.

Chicago Sun-Times · Feb 28, 2023

New Illinois law gives additional hope to youngest felons facing life in prison

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Nelson Morris was only 17 when he was arrested for a double murder that eventually doomed him to spend the rest of his life in prison, with no chance of parole.

Chicago Tribune · Feb 23, 2023