Staff Report MADISON, Wis. - Alliant Energy on Monday announced plans to acquire and advance 675 megawatts of solar in mostly rural areas in six Wisconsin counties. Projects in Grant, Jefferson, Richland, Rock, Sheboygan and Wood…

By Bill Barrow and Kat Stafford Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — Joe Biden says he "should not have been so cavalier" after he told a prominent black radio host that African Americans who back President Donald Trump "ain't black." The…

By Greg Bishop SPRINGFIELD - While they passed a budget, expanded mail-in-voting and even approved cocktails to go amid a pandemic, Illinois state lawmakers didn’t provide a check on the governor’s authority to reshape the state’s…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - The Rockford Police Department's Violent Crime Reduction Initiative recently reported more positive results. At approximately 7:35 p.m., Friday, May 22, officers conducted a traffic stop near School and Auburn…

By Sophia Tareen Associated Press CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois churches holding services Sunday despite warnings about health risks during the coronavirus pandemic said they're taking precautions to protect congregants, from scrapping…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - Because of coronavirus limitations, the Rockford Park District has decided to close Alpine Pool, Harkins Aquatic Center, and Sand Park Pool will be closed for the season, and the the 2020 “Sounds of Summer”…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter WASHINGTON, D.C. - Although he means well, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's stay-at-home orders may exceed this authority to keep parts of the state closed amid the coronavirus pandemic. That is the opinion of…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - The July 4 fireworks will be canceled this year because of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the City of Rockford announced Saturday. "My family and I love all the activities on the Fourth of July and it’s one of the…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois House of  Representatives will take at least another day to finish its spring session, Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, said Friday. Madigan said representatives need extra time…

By Jill Colvin and Zeke Miller Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Friday labeled churches and other houses of worship as "essential" and called on governors nationwide to let them reopen this weekend even…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - The Rockford Public Library's Summer Reading Challenge for children, teens, and adults will begin June 1 at all branches. The 2020 Summer Reading Challenge, “Digging Deeper!” will run through August 31.…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker urged faith groups across the state to submit plans for reopening to his office. And the more comprehensive, the better. The governor said it has been a challenge…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter ROCKFORD - The City of Rockford, onThursday, announced that it is modifying current practices to facilitate more outdoor seating for restaurants and bars as the city moves into Phase 3 of the governor's…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - The Northern Illinois Food Bank will host a free "Pop-Up Market" from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 23, in the parking lot of the Winnebago County COVID-19 Donations Center, 5460 E. State St. The drive-through…

By Cole Lauterbach SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Senate Minority Leader Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, has filed a measure that would require state officials to allow businesses to reopen next month, in addition to restricting Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s…