(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Gaming Board has reported a 15% drop in September sports betting, which included five million fewer bets placed in Illinois compared to September a year ago in 2024. The decrease is being blamed on a new law this past spring that placed a new tax on statewide wagers, a tax that Governor Pritzker approved to bring in $480 million in revenue.
(SPRINGFIELD) Governor J.B. Pritzker has one challenger in the Democratic Party’s gubernatorial primary. Former Chicago City Council candidate Patricia Tillman filed earlier this month, but there is an objection pending against her nominating petition. The Illinois State Board of Elections will meet today to take up dozens of objections to various candidates’ petitions.
(VANDALIA) A man has been charged in connection with the death of a Fayette County teenager. The Illinois State Police reports 43 year old Arnold B. Rivera of Vandalia is charged with first-degree murder, concealment of a homicidal death, and criminal sexual assault. Fayette County authorities say the body of 14 year old Kylie Toberman was found inside a Vandalia home last Friday. Police took Rivera into custody a few hours after the body was discovered.
(SPRINGFIELD) As the state’s firearm deer season approaches this weekend, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is reminding all deer hunters to think about safety while out in the woods. DNR officials say that 70% of all hunting accidents reported last year were related to tree stands, including the failure by hunters to use a safety harness system. The 2025 firearm deer season starts this weekend, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with the final four days of the season two weeks later on December 4th through the 7th, a Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.