1+ day, 19+ hour ago (147+ words) DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - A significant winter storm is rolling into Illinois Saturday and will drop snow across most of central Illinois." The WAND Weather team expects 3" to 6" generally along I-72 and south. From I-72 and north snow could be 6" to 12". Farther north towards Bloomington could see the highest snow totals." Snow is expected to start falling in the western part of the state around midnight and spread towards the east through Saturday. The fast-moving storm is expected to move out of Illinois by early Sunday morning." Parts of east-central Illinois could see lower snow totals due to heavier, wetter snow and a possible change to rain." Road conditions are expected to become dangerous and drivers are encouraged to allow extra time for travel or delays plans until a later time once the storm passes."...

2+ mon, 2+ week ago (82+ words) Illinois hoping run game improves as they prepare for Western Michigan CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) -- Illinois returned to Champaign after winning on the road at Duke. The Illini forced the Blue Devils into five turnovers on Saturday and were able to capitalize. After a rough first half for the running game and offensive line the Illini kicked it into gear to turn the game into a blowout. Offensive Coordinator Barry Lunney and head coach Bret Bielema said they were happy with the finish....

3+ mon, 1+ week ago (354+ words) SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) " Gov. JB Pritzker signed two bills into law Monday to create a clear regulatory system for cryptocurrency and other digital assets. The bill action comes as the FBI recently reported that Illinois consumers lost over $270 million in crypto fraud cases last year. Pritzker said the state is sending a clear message that crypto bros cannot take advantage of Illinoisans and their hard-earned assets. All cryptocurrency operators will be required to register with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation." One of the laws calls for new consumer protections for crypto users, including investment disclosures, customer asset safeguards and service standards. It will cap daily kiosk transactions at $2,500 for new customers and limit transaction fees to 18%. The other law requires operators to be transparent about the risks involved with their products, services and virtual currency by providing disclosures…...

3+ mon, 1+ week ago (438+ words) Image Taken At Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Wisconsin Badgers Men's Basketball Game, State Farm Center, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL, Tuesday, December 10, 2024. Courtney Bay/Illinois Athletics CHAMPAIGN, Ill. "Illinois has unveiled its completed 2025-26 non-conference schedule, highlighted by five games against high-major opponents who competed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament and featuring a trio of reigning Elite Eight participants. After hosting Illinois State in an exhibition game on Sunday, Oct. 19, the Fighting Illini officially tip off the season at home on Nov. 3, facing Jackson State on opening night. That begins a four-game homestand followed by Florida Gulf Coast on Friday, Nov. 7, a marquee contest at State Farm Center against returning Elite Eight squad Texas Tech on Nov. 11, and wrapping up with Colgate on Friday, Nov. 14, the night before Illinois Football's home game against Maryland. On Nov. 19, Illinois heads to Chicago to play a…...

3+ mon, 2+ week ago (251+ words) SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) " A new Illinois law is raising the mandatory senior driving test age from 79 to 87." Drivers 79 and older will be required to renew their license, but they will not have to take a driver's test for the renewal process. Anyone 75 or older with a commercial license will still need to take a driver's test to keep driving for work. Democrats and Republicans said this is one of the biggest issues for Illinois seniors. "When was the last time you saw a senior citizen gunning it past you checking her social media going 100 miles an hour," asked Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. "I mean, the data and anecdotally the evidence bears out that senior citizens tend to be safe drivers." The law gives people the ability to report their senior family members to the Secretary of State's office if they're…...

3+ mon, 4+ week ago (441+ words) DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - The weekend is upon us, and there are plenty of things to do and see across central Illinois. Here is a selection of events, markets, concerts and more happening Friday, August 1 to Sunday, August 3, 2025. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is hosting their Back to School Bash! Hosted at Union Square Park, the morning is full of hands-on games and interactive learning activities. The bash features animals brought by the Henson Robinson Zoo and special visits from first responders. Where: Union Square Park, 500 E. Madison St., Springfield, IL The Decatur Family YMCA will host their annual Backpack Attack. 2,000 school supply-filled backpacks will be handed out to students entering kindergarten through 6th grade. Students must be present to pick up their backpacks! The Macon County Health Department will also be offering onsite vaccinations, dental screenings, and lead testing Backpacks will…...

4+ mon, 6+ day ago (121+ words) CHICAGO (WAND) " Police said a 2-year-old girl who was kidnapped by three armed people on Wednesday has been found safe. According to Chicago police, a woman and two men, all armed with guns, stormed a building in the Bronzeville neighborhood just before 5 a.m. Officers said they took 2-year-old Auttumn Shelley with them and left in a stolen car. Police said the woman in the group was 22-year-old Angelique Mobley, Shelley's biological mother." An update from the Illinois State Police confirmed the child had been found safely, but did not provide any additional details. Police are still working to establish a motive, but believe the abduction may have been a domestic-related incident....

4+ mon, 2+ week ago (298+ words) Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs told Illinois delegates a personal story about his family's struggle with reproductive healthcare during a DNC breakfast on August 20, 2024. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced that a record $303.8 million in unclaimed funds has been returned to nearly 312,000 residents, businesses, and organizations through the I-CASH program in Fiscal Year 2025. To celebrate this achievement, Frerichs presented a check for over $200,000 to the Orphans of the Storm animal shelter in Riverwoods. This generous donation comes from a late Lake County woman who chose the shelter as a beneficiary of her life insurance policy. "We made common-sense changes to I-CASH to return more money to more folks, and we are proud to set records," Frerichs said. "But we're even more proud of helping people. One of my biggest fights was to take on insurance companies to make sure…...

4+ mon, 2+ week ago (140+ words) DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Even though just a couple thunderstorms have rolled through across Central Illinois Sunday, it has brought heavy rainfall to many hometown communities. The heaviest rainfall in Central Illinois has been seen from Southern Macon County through Douglas County with radar estimates nearing 2". The good news is none of this has led to a Flash Flood Warning being issued for those communities, but this would be enough to bust the current drought conditions. Rain looks to off and on throughout this forecast and as long as humidity remains high, heavy rainfall can be expected with any thunderstorm development. Temperatures over the next week look to be consistently between 85" and 90", which is very seasonable for this time of year. Humidity will continue to sky high and cause many issues for those who have to work outside....

4+ mon, 2+ week ago (193+ words) DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Even though just a couple thunderstorms have rolled through across Central Illinois Sunday, it has brought heavy rainfall to many hometown communities. Former Illini Women's Basketball player signs contract overseas Hundreds attend Rome Odunze youth football camp in Champaign Sustainable product store closing in Springfield after over 3 years in business Testing shows toxin levels decreasing in Mattoon water; still not safe to drink Illinois search and rescue team sent to Texas after deadly flooding The heaviest rainfall in Central Illinois has been seen from Southern Macon County through Douglas County with radar estimates nearing 2". The good news is none of this has led to a Flash Flood Warning being issued for those communities, but this would be enough to bust the current drought conditions. Rain looks to off and on throughout this forecast and as long as humidity…...