SPRINGFIELD — State education officials presented their case last week for a $10.9 billion budget to fund pre-K-12 public schools for the next fiscal year, saying the evidence-based funding formula ...

SPRINGFIELD — For the second time in three years, the Illinois House voted to ban hidden “junk fees” that are often added to the total cost of ticketed events, hotel rooms and other goods and services ...

The 2026 Land Values and Lease Trends Report saw a shift in narrative from recent years, with 61% of survey respondents expecting a decline in farmland prices this year, signaling a potential plateau ...

TOLONO – The Paxton-Buckley-Loda varsity softball team lost 15-0 to Tolono Unity on Thursday. On the mound, Meredith Foster allowed 15 runs – 12 earned – on 12 hits and six walks with one strikeout ...

BUCKLEY — Members of the Ladies Aid society of St. John’s Lutheran Church met Thursday, April 2, with the following occurring: President Chris Dippel welcomed members and guests and called the meeting ...

The Ford County Republicans’ quarterly breakfast was held Saturday, April 11, at the Blue Star Cafe in Gibson City, with the featured speaker being Ford County State’s Attorney Andrew Killian. Some ...

U.S. farmers intend to plant 95.3 million acres of corn in 2026, down 3% from last year, and 84.7 million acres of soybeans, up 4% from last year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s ...

CULLOM — Sophomore Trevor Condon has been named student of the month for March at Tri-Point High School. Condon received a $25 Visa gift card generously donated by Country Financial agent and ...

GIBSON CITY – The Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley varsity baseball team lost 15-0 to Mahomet-Seymour on Thursday. Mitchell Heinz hit 2-for-2 for GCMS at the plate. On the mound, Trent Wetherell allowed nine ...

Property tax bills will soon be arriving in mailboxes all over Illinois, and once again Illinoisans will be reminded that we pay some of the highest property taxes in the country. The property tax ...

CULLOM — Tri-Point High School has released its honor roll for the third quarter of the 2025-26 school year: 4.0 Club — Sophomore Logan Staton. High honors — Freshmen Theo Angus, Addisyn Honeycutt, ...

Mary “Edith” Russell, 98 of Rantoul, died at 8:08 a.m. Sunday, April 12, 2026, at her home. Edith was born on July 31, 1927, in beautiful Pulaski County, Kentucky, the daughter of the late Walter and ...