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1+ hour, 18+ min ago (659+ words) When it comes to high school football talent in the Midwest, Illinois always packs a punch. That's the case when looking at the 2026 cycle. According to the'Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies, there are 11 blue-chip prospects from Illinois. They are all headed to notable Power Four programs, too. Below is a look at the top Illinois recruits in the 2026 cycle and where they're headed to play their college football next season: School: DunlapRivals Industry Ranking: No. 110 NATL. (No. 5 TE) Sutter on Alabama:First time I stepped on campus it felt so electric and awesome and all the people there. I love Coach DeBoer. He's down to earth. Kind of like a Midwestern guy. Big-time family guy too " Going there it's a great place. I see myself there and the overall fit. Last year…...

13+ hour, 6+ min ago (122+ words) Football playoff expansion was among 12 new changes to the IHSA's [Illinois High School Association] bylaws approved Monday. "We are hopeful that this football playoff expansion will provide intended relief to our schools by stabilizing conference movement and eliminating the difficulty of scheduling football games that many of our schools face each year," said Craig Anderson, executive director of the IHSA, in a written statement. "It may create some short-term complications for some schools, conferences and coaches, but we remain optimistic it will create long-term stability in football and beyond." An effort to end the practice of improving playoff odds by playing in conferences mostly made up of further-away schools failed in 2023. Some other changes approved included:...

15+ hour, 22+ min ago (673+ words) A massive new transit bill signed into law by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritkzer Tuesday is set to modernize public transit in Chicago and across the state, according to officials But it's also set to increase sales taxes in some counties and create higher Illinois Tollway fees for drivers. "This is a once in a lifetime investment that will benefit everyone, especially the overall Illinois economy," Prizker said during a press conference Tuesday. The bill, which passed in a marathon session in October with mostly Democratic support, would replace the Regional Transportation Authority with a new body called the Northern Illinois Transit Authority. The NITA, which calls for $1.5 billion in annual funding, would have expanded authority over the CTA, Metra and Pace. According to the legislation, the new annual transit funding will come, in part, from redirecting the state fuel sales tax…...

15+ hour, 55+ min ago (75+ words) CHICAGO (WLS) -- There's still time to get a gift under the tree that is made in Illinois. The Illinois Office of Tourism is out with its "Illinois-Made Holiday Gift Guide." Seventeen small businesses from across the state are featured. From soap, to popcorn, to fudge and coffee, there are some great ideas. Kribi Coffee Air Roastery, Garrett Popcorn Shops, The Fudge Pot and Soapy Roads are some of the brands featured in the list....

18+ hour, 56+ min ago (314+ words) After years of "fiscal cliffs and "doomsday scenarios," Chicago transit now has a financial lifeline from Springfield, and Charlie Wojciechowski breaks down what's in the bill. Drivers who use the Illinois Tollway could face higher fees under a sweeping overhaul of statewide public transit signed on Monday by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act, which calls for $1.5 billion in new annual transit funding, includes increases in both passenger and commercial vehicle tolls to fund the Illinois Tollway capital program. State officials said toll revenue will continue to go toward Tollway maintenance, operations and capital improvements -- and those dollars will remains separate from the $1.5 billion, which will be dedicated to transit improvements across Illinois. Under the proposed increase, which raises tolls for passenger vehicles $0.45, a trip to O'Hare on the'Tri-State Tollway'would cost $1.20. The current cost is $0.75. Along with the…...

20+ hour, 6+ min ago (594+ words) We are only a couple of weeks removed from the end of the 2025 season, but it is already time for the Illinois football team to start jockeying for position in 2026. The new transfer portal rules go into effect this season, with the transfer portal opening on January 2 for two weeks. There is no more April portal window, which means that the two-week period in January is going to be crucial for the Illini. Bret Bielema has done a great job adapting. He has taken the transfer portal head-on, and he has molded Illinois into a contender due to the transfer portal. The success Illinois has had over the last four seasons - three eight-win seasons or more, one of which was a 10-win campaign - has been one of the most lucrative runs the program has ever seen. Behind center for all…...

20+ hour, 46+ min ago (1459+ words) A Bloomington-Normal historian says bicycles were once a top export from the state of Illinois with manufacturing centers in the state, including Peoria and Chicago, making two-thirds of all bicycles sold in the country in 1898. Chris Sweet, a librarian and professor at Illinois Wesleyan University, said that changed a lot in a series of ups and downs over many decades. His new book, "A History of Bicycling in Illinois: 160 Years of Booms and Busts," is out early next month from the University of Illinois Press. Sweet said in the 1890s, bicycling was a national activity second only to baseball. It was brought on by the entry of so-called safety bikes, with two wheels about the same size instead of the previous "big wheel," or "high wheel"" era that began in the 1870s. The design change allowed children and women to ride more…...

1+ day, 20+ min ago (172+ words) CHICAGO (WLS) -- A new law is expanding property tax relief for senior homeowners. The tax deferral program increases income eligibility for the 2025 tax year and beyond. The deadline to apply for the 2025 Senior tax deferral program is March 1, 2026. According to the Illinois Department of Revenue, starting in tax year 2025: -The maximum household income for eligibility will increase from $65,000 to $75,000 in 2026, then to $77,000 in 2027, and to $79,000 beginning in 2028 and thereafter. To qualify for the Senior Tax Deferral Program, homeowners must meet the following criteria: -be 65 years of age or older by June 1 of the filing year, -own and occupy the primary residence for a minimum of three years, -have no outstanding property taxes or special assessments on the property, and -maintain adequate fire or casualty insurance. Eligible seniors may defer up to $7,500 per year, including interest and fees, or as much…...

1+ day, 6+ hour ago (501+ words) On Dec. 30, the Illinois Fighting Illini will face the Tennessee Volunteers at Nissan Stadium in Nashville in the Music City Bowl. For Illinois edge rusher Gabe Jacas and OL JC Davis are opting out to prepare for the NFL Draft. The other significant injury for the Illini is Xavier Scott, who has not played since week three. For Tennessee the news is that stud receiver Chriss Brazell II (62 catches for 1,017 yards and nine TDs) has opted out of the bowl game to prepare for the NFL Draft. This game will feature two of the best QBs in the country: Luke Altmyer and Joey Aguilar. Neither team plays particularly good passing defense. Tennessee is 15th out of 16 teams in the SEC, while the Illini are 15th in the 18-team Big Ten. So, both teams might be inclined to air it out. The Illini…...

1+ day, 9+ hour ago (209+ words) Joey Wright hosts hour #2 of Sportstalk live from the Esquire Lounge in downtown Champaign with sportswriters Scott Richey & Bob Asmussen along with special guests, Illinois running back Aidan ... CHAMPAIGN " Illinois officially introduced Toni Bilic on Tuesday after the Croatian forward signed a Big Ten athletics aid agreement Bilic, a 6-foot-8, 210-pound forward, will join the Illini as a midseason addition for the remainder of the 2025-26 roster.What Bilic won't do, however, is play this season The Trogir, Croatia, native will practice with the Illini and spend his remaining time focused on strength and conditioning training and development."Toni is a multi-positional, skilled player who we are excited to have join us in practice," Illinois coach Brad Underwood said in an official release "He comes from a basketball family He has good feel for the game and a high IQ He…...