Features

Honor Flight

Emotions overflow during Greater Peoria Honor Flight homecoming

Updated: 17 hours ago

By John Kendall

It was the end of an emotional day in Washington, D.C., where veterans toured monuments made in their honor.

Honor Flight

Veterans take off for second Greater Peoria Honor Flight of 2026

Updated: 24 hours ago

By 25News Now

Stay with 25News to follow along on their journey.

Honor Flight

A Navy veteran salutes as The Gibson Girls sing the song for his branch, "Anchors Aweigh."

‘No brainer’ for grocer to sponsor year’s 5th Greater Peoria Honor Flight

Updated: May 26, 2026 at 6:14 AM CDT

By Taylor Fleming

"To see firsthand the kind of healing process it has for them was very humbling."

Community Corner

John Rodino stands in front of his car at the “Hop on the Road: A Celebration of Route 66” event.

Emotional stories shared at Route 66 show in Normal

Updated: May 25, 2026 at 6:03 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

While families enjoyed food, music, face painting and snow cones, some attendees used the Memorial Day holiday to reflect on life-changing experiences

Bloomington-Normal News

Bloomington Bison end their first season.

Second year of Bloomington Bison brings millions in revenue to city

Updated: May 22, 2026 at 7:48 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

According to Zach Dietmeier, Chief Operating Officer for Visit BN, the approximately $4 million was generated during the season. That includes food and beverage sales, arena concessions, merchandise taxes, and hotel and motel stays.

Illinois

Gov. JB Pritzker weighs data center development with state natural resources

Updated: May 20, 2026 at 7:53 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

As talk of moratoriums on data centers happened throughout Central Illinois this week, Governor Pritzker spoke on the need for more regulations on data centers in the state.

McLean County

Dozens of McLean County homes damaged in April tornado

Updated: May 20, 2026 at 7:10 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

McLean County residents continue cleaning up after last month’s tornadoes, but none received any type of federal assistance.

Tazewell County

City of Washington approves first cannabis dispensary, but vote wasn’t unanimous

Updated: May 19, 2026 at 8:15 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

City council members voted 5-3 Monday night to approve a recreational adult cannabis dispensary on the corner of Centennial Drive and McClugage Drive.

Peoria News

Peoria Garage Fire Causes $30K In Damage, Investigation Ongoing

Updated: May 17, 2026 at 8:20 AM CDT

By Khamia Carter

The cause remains undetermined, and the investigation is ongoing.

Peoria News

Peoria Fire Department Graduation Ceremony

These fire academy graduates ready to serve Peoria

Updated: May 15, 2026 at 6:58 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

The Class of 2026 is made up of 14 Peoria Fire Department recruits and four others from outside of Peoria.

Local Radar

Peoria News

Peoria City Council OKs Liquor License to King Zone in East Bluff, with conditions for police

Updated: May 13, 2026 at 9:05 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

The City of Peoria approved a liquor license for the King Zone store in the East Bluff, but not without concerns.

McLean County

McLean County leaders see need for data center regulations

Updated: May 13, 2026 at 5:27 AM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

Alderwoman said she's confident Bloomington will not approve a data center without consulting the public

Tazewell County

"No Data Center" sign in front of a house in Pekin

Pekin data center opponents don’t see endgame yet after developer asks for termination of contract

Updated: May 12, 2026 at 7:41 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

During Monday night’s meeting, the council approved refunding an initial $85,000 fee to WHP, which originally purchased 321-acres of the Lutticken property. Pekin Mayor Mary Burress read a letter to those in attendance stating the city received notice from WHP to terminate the agreement “prior to the expiration of the due diligence period.”

Peoria News

’Shaken’ fundraisers say St. Jude mission continues despite OSF breakup

Updated: May 12, 2026 at 1:07 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa and Kayla Johnson

Beginning June 30, OSF Healthcare Children’s Hospital of Illinois and the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria will no longer be affiliated with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Tazewell County

Explosion, fire in Washington proves costly as Red Cross aids 3 households

Updated: May 11, 2026 at 7:56 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

Damage is estimated at $800,000 to a Washington neighborhood where an officer-involved shooting evolved into an explosion and fire early Sunday.

Tazewell County

Peoria Heights residents Elvira Brooks and Kent Beavins show off artwork they bought at the...

Fine day to enjoy the fine arts in Peoria Heights

Updated: May 10, 2026 at 6:49 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

Families indulged in the beautiful sights of artwork, while enjoying music and drinks at Tower Park

Tazewell County

Another Tazewell County city considers data center to boost economic development

Updated: May 10, 2026 at 1:15 AM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

Delavan leaders are discussing whether a data center could help bring economic development to the area as the community continues to face population decline and limited business growth.

Peoria County

Property taxes rise for 4th straight year in Peoria County

Updated: May 9, 2026 at 1:50 AM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

Peoria County homeowners received their property tax rates for the year, with the treasurer confirming there’s another increase in taxable land values.

Peoria News

Tessa Mahoney, Executive Director of Age Central

Aging agencies rally for more funding for delivery meals for elderly

Updated: May 7, 2026 at 8:37 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

Aging agencies in Illinois are asking Springfield legislators for $10 million for the Illinois Department on Aging “Home Delivered Meals” program.

Tazewell County

Tazewell County Board votes on land amendment, crafts data center ordinance

Updated: May 6, 2026 at 8:05 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

At a recent county board meeting, nearly all board members voted to approve a resolution, rather than a moratorium, stating the county’s zoning department will not accept petitions from developers for data center projects until the board finishes drafting an ordinance on the issue.

Bloomington-Normal News

Bloomington Mayor Dan Brady delivers his first State of the City address Friday, May 1, 2026

Housing, public safety highlighted in Bloomington mayor’s first State of the City address

Updated: May 1, 2026 at 8:05 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

Bloomington Mayor Dan Brady spoke to a full house Friday for his first State of the City address, highlighting key issues and even his leadership style.

Tazewell County

Pekin puts 11-month pressure on data center developers to finalize contract

Updated: Apr. 29, 2026 at 6:45 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

As of Monday, the proposed data center in Pekin has an 11-month timeline before additional due diligence money would be required to keep the contract moving forward.

Peoria News

Almost $2M invested on lessons to boost literacy rates in Peoria Public Schools

Updated: Apr. 29, 2026 at 6:39 AM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

The current curriculum is from 2017, and it was time for an update, said a PPS administrator.

Bloomington-Normal News

City of Bloomington to host data center public forum in May

Updated: Apr. 29, 2026 at 6:16 AM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

Bloomington City leaders have picked the date for community discussions about the possibility of data centers in the area.

Peoria News

OSF leadership and Peoria City Soccer gather for a photo

Peoria City Soccer and OSF announce partnership to establish community connections

Updated: Apr. 28, 2026 at 9:12 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

The two-year partnership makes OSF the primary sponsor, placing its logo on Peoria City uniforms, summer camp T-shirts, and other promotional materials.

Peoria News

State Police use K-9 at Bradley Park in Peoria.

Peoria leaders react after a wave of teen violence at city parks

Updated: Apr. 27, 2026 at 8:50 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

Community leaders are advising parents and guardians to keep their kids busy and stay involved in their lives after a series of shootings, one of them deadly, in Peoria parks.

Peoria News

Rock Island Greenway Trail at Detweiller Marina

Detweiller Marina deal in limbo after Peoria Park Board delays action

Updated: Apr. 25, 2026 at 6:58 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

The deal to preserve green space at Peoria’s Detweiller Marina is in limbo after the city’s park board delayed action on the issue.

Bloomington-Normal News

ISU responds to strikebreaking claims a day after dispute plays out at state capitol

Updated: Apr. 24, 2026 at 8:46 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

ISU's president is making a personal plea for more state funding even as he contends with labor unrest from union workers striking for more pay.

Peoria News

Peoria looks for vendors to develop housing at Expo Gardens

Updated: Apr. 21, 2026 at 10:48 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

Peoria looks for potential vendors to help build middle-income housing at the former Expo Gardens site.

Features

Right: Rep. Travis Weaver, R-Edwards
Left: ISU student Elizabeth Austin of Pekin

Students across Illinois invited to help choose Illinois’ state colors

Updated: Apr. 21, 2026 at 7:51 AM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

Students have until May 1 to vote and will be able to select one rural color, one urban color, and one statewide color.

Tazewell County

Chapters Living of Washington asks for community support after water main break

Updated: Apr. 16, 2026 at 7:39 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

A retirement community in Washington dealt with a water main break Thursday afternoon that forced more than 50 elderly residents to find a place to stay in short notice.

Tazewell County

McNaughton park, part of Pekin Park District

City of Pekin votes unanimously to annex Lutticken Property to Park District

Updated: Apr. 15, 2026 at 8:18 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

The Pekin Park District can expect to get a share of new tax revenue if either commercial or residential development ends up on the 1,000-acre Lutticken Property.

Tazewell County

Pekin to start enforcing rules limiting public comments at council meetings

Updated: Apr. 15, 2026 at 6:14 AM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

Pekin will start enforcing an ordinance limiting public comments at the city council meetings that many times last more than two hours.

Bloomington-Normal News

Heartland Community College Community Poverty Simulation

Central Illinois college students experience real life family poverty scenarios in simulation

Updated: Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:24 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

More than 50 health and science students at Heartland Community College spent Friday experiencing what it is like to live below their means.

Honor Flight

Veterans land in Washington for the first Greater Peoria Honor Flight of 2026

Updated: Apr. 7, 2026 at 7:01 PM CDT

By Jason Howell

Stay with 25News to follow along on their journey.

Peoria News

Veterans get a hero's welcome at Great Peoria Honor Flight dinner

Central Illinois veterans, guardians share dinner ahead of Honor Flight

Updated: Apr. 7, 2026 at 6:47 AM CDT

By Kayla Johnson

Honor Flight dinner honors veterans and raises funds for future trips to Washington, D.C.

Peoria News

Sgt. Bryson Williams of Galesburg-based C Battery, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery...

Peoria soldier wins 2026 Illinois Army National Guard’s Noncommissioned Officer of the Year

Updated: Apr. 6, 2026 at 7:19 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

A sergeant in the Illinois Army National Guard from Peoria has been named the state’s 2026 Best Warrior after competing in an intense three-day challenge testing both physical and mental strength.

Peoria News

Peoria Council Member Andre Allan speaks to teens at the Annual Youth Summit at Manual High...

Self-care, civics highlighted at Annual Youth Symposium in Peoria

Updated: Mar. 28, 2026 at 10:25 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

Students from Central Illinois, ranging from middle school to high school, had the chance to learn about self-care, how to recognize and relieve stress and build strong study habits at Manual High School Saturday morning, hosted by the Epsilon ETA Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma RHO Sorority.

Peoria News

Thousands gather near the Peoria Stadium for the third "No Kings" rally and protest

Thousands attend third ‘No Kings’ protest in Peoria

Updated: Mar. 28, 2026 at 8:16 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

Across the country, large crowds are attending rallies aimed against the administration of President Donald Trump. In Peoria, crowds gathered near Peoria Stadium.

Bloomington-Normal News

TSA agent working at the Central Illinois Regional Airport.

Bloomington-Normal steps up to help TSA agents as Trump signs order to pay them

Updated: Mar. 27, 2026 at 8:49 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

In Bloomington-Normal, the Central Illinois Regional Airport launched a campaign for donations to help agents struggling to make ends meet.

Tazewell County

Leaders break ground on the new Carol House of Hope in Pekin.

Center for Prevention of Abuse breaks ground in Pekin for new domestic violence shelter

Updated: Mar. 27, 2026 at 7:55 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

The Center for Prevention of Abuse broke ground Friday at 121 S. Second Street on a new, expanded emergency domestic violence shelter

Bloomington-Normal News

Governor JB Pritzker speaks with McLean County leaders in Bloomington

McLean County leaders discuss support of Pritzker’s BUILD proposal at roundtable

Updated: Mar. 25, 2026 at 8:00 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

Pritzker met behind closed doors with local officials at the McLean County Museum of History to discuss how the proposal could address housing challenges in central and downstate Illinois.

Bloomington-Normal News

Lack of transparency cited on data center speculation in Bloomington

Updated: Mar. 24, 2026 at 8:09 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

While the Bloomington City Council did not have a proposed data center on its agenda, nearly all residents who spoke during public comment at Monday night’s meeting voiced opposition to the idea that a data center might locate there.

Peoria County

Peoria County coroner credits his team for earning international accreditation in death investigations

Updated: Mar. 21, 2026 at 10:56 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

The Peoria County Coroner’s office got a rare accreditation Thursday morning from the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners, highlighting staff and personal wins.

Peoria County

Camp Wokanda worker, Jeremy, shows guests how maple syrup is made.

Central Illinois families connect with nature at Camp Wokanda

Updated: Mar. 21, 2026 at 9:12 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

“So many people love this place, so we really wanted to open it up for anybody that wanted to come"

Peoria News

A student made robot hits an 8-foot-tall target with foam balls at the FIRST Robotics Regional...

’Rebuilt’ was the theme as Bradley University hosts FIRST® Robotics competition

Updated: Mar. 21, 2026 at 8:56 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

At Bradley's Renaissance Coliseum Saturday, 31 teams and more than 900 students competed.

Tazewell County

Front desk for new Trillium Place in East Peoria.

Carle expands mental health services with new Trillium Place site in East Peoria

Updated: Mar. 21, 2026 at 1:04 AM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

The clinic on River Road will offer services including addiction recovery, group therapy, relapse prevention education, DUI services, and walk-in assessments.

Peoria News

New naturalized citizens take their oath before a judge at the Peoria Public Library

Peoria Public Library hosts naturalization ceremony for 90 new US citizens

Updated: Mar. 21, 2026 at 12:33 AM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

"It is a new beginning for our new citizens, and I am happy to be here,” said U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Dunlap)

Peoria News

Jonathon Romain writes down community ideas for new production studio.

Peoria arts community envisions future with new production studio

Updated: Mar. 15, 2026 at 12:08 AM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) said her motivation for supporting the project is to keep creative talent in the Peoria area.

Bloomington-Normal News

NAACP “Mind, body, Spirit and Community” Expo at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington.

Focus on mind, body, and politics at Bloomington-Normal NAACP expo

Updated: Mar. 14, 2026 at 7:24 PM CDT

By Angeles Ponpa

The Bloomington-Normal branch of the NAACP hosted a “Mind, Body, Spirit and Community Expo” Saturday, but personal health was not the organization’s only priority.