



State lawmakers consider legislation to rein in new data center proposals
Illinois has one of the highest number of data centers in the country. But as residents worry about their water and electricity use, state lawmakers are considering legislation to rein in new data center proposals.

Retiring Peoria police chief reflects on his tenure, touts department's advancements
Retiring Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria believes the department is in a better place than when he took the job five years ago. This is Part 2 of our interview with the retiring police chief.

Echevarria to retire as Peoria police chief; Dixon tabbed as successor
Police Chief Eric Echevarria informed the city he will retire as of May 15, after serving nearly five years in the role. WCBU's Joe Deacon talks to Echevarria about his record and what's next.

Women are less likely to receive CPR in an emergency. A state lawmaker wants to change that
An Illinois lawmaker has proposed a bill to require high schools to provide female manikins for CPR training. Women are 27% less likely to receive CPR from a bystander than men because of concerns of inappropriate touching, exposing of the chest or accusations of sexual assault, according to the Jo…

Interview with new OSF HealthCare CEO Michelle Conger
It's been a long leadership transition for one of the area's largest employers. Michelle Conger has taken over as CEO of OSF HealthCare following the retirement of Bob Sehring. Those plans were announced in 2024. Conger, who was been with O-S-F for several decades, tells WCBU reporter Joe Deacon wh…

Pekin union painter shares the value of apprenticeships in a statewide professional development program
Christina Harms is a union painter with Peoria-based Mid-Illinois Companies and Associated Constructors in Bloomington. She's also part of a cohort of apprentice ambassadors advocating for apprenticeship as a path toward a variety of careers.

Mayor Ali eager to see downtown growth from traffic pattern change, other planned projects
The multi-year project to convert Adams Street and Jefferson Avenue to two-way traffic in downtown Peoria is on track to be completed by early summer, and Mayor Rita Ali is eager to see the anticipated benefits for the area.

James Shadid reflects on first year as Bradley's president
It's been one year since James Shadid took over as its 13th president at Bradley University. Shadid tells WCBU reporter Joe Deacon the first year on campus has been a "whirlwind."

Rep. Sharon Chung wants to limit corporate money in elections
An Illinois lawmaker from Bloomington wants to limit corporate money in elections, but it could face legal challenges. Democratic state Rep. Sharon Chung, who represents parts of Bloomington-Normal and Peoria plus rural areas along Interstate 74, has introduced a bill that would change the definiti…

Central Illinois lawmaker joins calls to reform the Pretrial Fairness Act when it comes to domestic violence
A Republican state lawmaker has joined Central Illinois law enforcement in calling for changes to the state's landmark criminal justice reform bill called the SAFE-T Act, but Democrats want to wait for more data before making a decision.