News

Heat Advisory From 1 PM Sunday to 7 PM Dangerous Heat Wave Will Impact the Central and Eastern U.S. A dangerous heat wave will impact the central & eastern U.S. starting Sunday and continuing through the Jul 4 weekend. Highs will be in the 90s-100s with heat indices of 100-110° (locally 115°). Warm nights w...

Illinois is expanding childhood lead screening statewide. The Illinois Department of Public Health says universal blood lead testing will take effect July first, 2026. Under the new requirement, all children in Illinois will be automatically tested at 12 months and again at 24 months. Previously, state-led testing rule...

A new report is highlighting Illinois' economic exposure to mass deportation. The Mendoza Law Firm ranks Illinois tenth in the nation for vulnerability, saying unauthorized immigrants make up 6.2 percent of the state's labor force and 28 percent of all foreign-born residents. The report gives Illinois a reliance score ...

Illinois is moving to strengthen reproductive healthcare protections. On the anniversary of the Dobbs decision, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the Reproductive Health Records Privacy Act into law. State officials say the measure is designed to protect patient privacy and block sensitive medical records from being shared...

The Macon County Health Department (MCHD) will begin offering Express STI Testing on July 1st, providing quick, convenient, and affordable sexual health screening services to the community. The walk-in service requires no appointment and includes simple urine testing for both Gonorrhea and Chlamydia. Patients can expe...

A Flood Watch is in effect this afternoon through Friday morning. While much of the region is forecast to see a swath of 1-2" of rain, localized amounts up to 5" will threaten flash flooding and rises in creeks and streams. Stay alert if traveling, and heed road closures and alerts.

The City of Maroa has named Michael Donaker as its new police chief. City officials say Donaker was appointed following the resignation of former Chief Robert Fitzgerald. Donaker brings nearly three decades of law enforcement experience to the role, including service with the Decatur Police Department dating back to 19...

Illinois libraries are getting a major funding boost. Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias has announced more than 27 million dollars in grants for libraries across the state. The money will support new books, technology upgrades, literacy programs, infrastructure improvements, and security enhancem...

Illinois is investing more than 50 million dollars in communities impacted by violence, poverty, and the justice system. The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority announced the latest round of Restore, Reinvest, and Renew grants, known as the R3 Program. About 35 million dollars will support organizations foc...

The Macon County Health Department (MCHD) is pleased to announce the availability of walk-in blood draw services beginning July 1st, providing community members with a convenient and accessible option for laboratory specimen collection close to home. We offer a variety of blood draw services. For a complete list of ava...