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Summit Ridge Agrees to $25,000 Donation; Pattern Energy Updates Board

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Litchfield Board Reviews SCI Center Growth, Weighs Future Funding Model

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Board Authorizes New Patrol Vehicles and Sheriff’s Office Equipment

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County Donates $30,000 for Urgent Electrical Repairs at Fairgrounds

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Montgomery County Board Approves $315,000 for New Dump Truck, Advances Infrastructure Projects

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Fire Department Responds to Brush Fire

Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Litchfield City Council for February 5, 2026

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City Approves Emergency Fire Engine Repairs and Temporary Rental

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North Monroe Business Awarded Facade Improvement Grant

Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: LLCC Board of Trustees for December 15, 2025

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Litchfield City Council Sets New Hunting Registration Rules, Allows Two Stands Per Hunter

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Board Approves $440,000 Architect Fee Increase for Campus Master Plan

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LLCC Board Approves 2025 Tax Levy; Tax Rate Expected to Decrease

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Litchfield Firefighters Respond to Structure Fire

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Consortium Completes $620 Million Acquisition of Denny’s Corp.

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Litchfield Campus Updates: Science Lab Complete, New Partnerships Formed

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LLCC Board Selects Dr. Curt Oldfield as Next President

Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Litchfield CUSD #12 for January 20, 2026

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Dudley Smith Farm Winter Meeting to Focus on Cattle Markets and Soil Health

On behalf of the Cahokia Creek Dirt Riders, Steve Pickerill presented Sheriff Holshouser with a donation to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. The funds will be used in support of operations at the Sheriff's Office.

Montgomery Sheriff Donation

Principals Highlight “Success Days” and Data-Driven Incentives

Litchfield Fire personnel practiced ice rescue techniques at Walton Park this week. Residents are reminded that frozen bodies of water can have many hidden dangers. Please refrain from walking or riding recreational vehicles on any ice without experience or checking the ice thickness beforehand. Refrozen holes could be significantly thinner and give way under weight.

Ice Rescue Training

Litchfield Fire Department has a loaner fire engine one of the engines is out for an emergency repair. Firefighters ensured it’s equipped and ready to serve with little to no interruption in service.

Loaner Fire Engine

Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: City of Litchfield for January 22, 2026

M.A.K.E.-I.T. Program Hits Capacity, Announces “Diggin’ It” Summer Theme

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Pana Community Hospital Hosting Interactive Protein and Heart Health Class

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City Approves 24-Hour Ice Vending Machine and Kayak Kiosk for Lake Lou Yaeger

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Emergency Funds Authorized for Middle School/High School Water Heater Replacement

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City Updates School Resource Officer Agreement to Comply with New State Laws

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Board Updates School Resource Officer Agreement to Comply with State Law

Education

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Litchfield Board Reviews SCI Center Growth, Weighs Future Funding Model

Litchfield Board of Education Meeting | February 17, 2026 Article Summary: The Litchfield School Board received a comprehensive update on the South Central Illinois (SCI) Regional Workforce Training and Innovation...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Litchfield CUSD #12 for January 20, 2026

Litchfield CUSD #12 Meeting | January 20, 2026 Meeting SummaryThe Litchfield Community Unit School District No. 12 Board of Education met on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, to finalize the academic...

Principals Highlight “Success Days” and Data-Driven Incentives

Litchfield CUSD #12 Meeting | January 20, 2026 Article Summary: Litchfield school principals presented updates to the Board of Education regarding recent professional development focusing on data analysis and new...

M.A.K.E.-I.T. Program Hits Capacity, Announces “Diggin’ It” Summer Theme

Litchfield CUSD #12 Meeting | January 20, 2026 Article Summary:The Litchfield School District’s M.A.K.E.-I.T. program reported a successful end to the calendar year with enrollment at full capacity and a...
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Emergency Funds Authorized for Middle School/High School Water Heater Replacement

Litchfield CUSD #12 Meeting | January 20, 2026 Article Summary: The Board of Education authorized the use of Health Life Safety funds to replace a failed water heater at the...
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City Updates School Resource Officer Agreement to Comply with New State Laws

City of Litchfield Meeting | January 22, 2026 Article Summary: The Litchfield City Council approved an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Litchfield School District to align with new...
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Board Updates School Resource Officer Agreement to Comply with State Law

Litchfield CUSD #12 Meeting | January 20, 2026 Article Summary: The Litchfield School Board approved an updated Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Litchfield regarding the School Resource Officer...
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Litchfield Board Approves 2026-2027 Calendar, Opts to Hold School on Casimir Pulaski Day

Litchfield CUSD #12 Meeting | January 20, 2026 Article Summary: The Litchfield Community Unit School District No. 12 Board of Education on Tuesday approved a new school calendar that includes...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Litchfield Community Unit School District No. 12 for December 16, 2025

Litchfield Community Unit School District No. 12 Meeting | December 16, 2025 The Litchfield Community Unit School District No. 12 Board of Education met on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, to...

Montgomery County News

solar panels photovoltaics in solar farm

Summit Ridge Agrees to $25,000 Donation; Pattern Energy Updates Board

Montgomery County Board Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026 Article Summary: The board approved a community agreement with a solar developer benefiting a local education center and received a timeline update on...
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Board Authorizes New Patrol Vehicles and Sheriff’s Office Equipment

Montgomery County Board Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026 Article Summary: The board approved the purchase of two new Dodge Durangos and necessary technical equipment for the Sheriff's Office. Sheriff's Office Purchases...
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County Donates $30,000 for Urgent Electrical Repairs at Fairgrounds

Montgomery County Board Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026 Article Summary: Recognizing critical infrastructure needs, the County Board voted to donate $30,000 from coal royalty funds to the Montgomery County Fair...
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Montgomery County Board Approves $315,000 for New Dump Truck, Advances Infrastructure Projects

Montgomery County Board Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026 Article Summary: The Montgomery County Board authorized the purchase of a new tandem dump truck and approved several engineering agreements to address road...
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Report Warns of “Credible Risk” of Power Shortages in Ameren Territory by 2031

December 2025 Committee Meeting Article Summary: The Montgomery County Coordinating Committee reviewed a state-mandated report warning of electricity shortages starting later this decade. The shortages are driven by rapid data...
Montgomery County Highway Committee

Highway Department to Purchase Two Trucks for $615,000

December 2025 Committee Meeting Article Summary: Committees approved the purchase of two new Western Star tandem dump trucks for the Highway Department to replace aging vehicles. The total cost for...
Montgomery County Personnel Committee

County Advances Solar Agreement Benefiting Litchfield SCI Center

December 2025 Committee Meeting Article Summary: The Development and Personnel Committee recommended approval of a Community Benefits Agreement with Summit Ridge Energy. The deal includes a direct financial donation to...
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Finance Committee Recommends $30,000 for Fairgrounds Electrical Upgrades

December 2025 Committee Meeting Article Summary: The Montgomery County Finance and Budget Committee voted to recommend a $30,000 donation to the Montgomery County Fair Board to assist with critical electrical...
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County Committee Considers Purchase of Hillsboro Building for Probation Expansion

December 2025 Committee Meeting Article Summary: The Montgomery County Board’s Buildings and Grounds Committee is evaluating the purchase of the "Rehab Edge" building in Hillsboro to house the Probation Department...

Illinois News

IL lawmaker intros bill to regulate third-party lawsuit investing

IL lawmaker intros bill to regulate third-party lawsuit investing

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Amid a growing push nationwide for new laws to regulate the booming business of third-party lawsuit investing, a state lawmaker has introduced...
Illinois senator offers 401(k)-style option to escape $145 billion pension crisis

Illinois senator offers 401(k)-style option to escape $145 billion pension crisis

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois state senator is pushing a sweeping but voluntary change to the state’s pension system...
Illinois Quick Hits: Bills filed to create small business accounts

Illinois Quick Hits: Bills filed to create small business accounts

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Democratic state Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, and Republican state Rep Amy Elik, R-Alton, have filed legislation to...
Taxpayers funding $52.8M Route 9 upgrade; residents raise safety concerns

Taxpayers funding $52.8M Route 9 upgrade; residents raise safety concerns

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois is set to receive $52.8 million in federal taxpayer funding to overhaul roughly 6 miles...
Group: Raising minimum wage could cause drastic inflation

Group: Raising minimum wage could cause drastic inflation

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers have proposed raising the state’s minimum wage to $27 per hour in 2032, but an...
FRESH program would provide one-time SNAP cash; critics question cost

FRESH program would provide one-time SNAP cash; critics question cost

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As new federal work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program take effect this month, Illinois...
Illinois Quick Hits: Man sentenced for robbing postal worker

Illinois Quick Hits: Man sentenced for robbing postal worker

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A federal judge has sentenced a Chicago man to four years and three months in prison for...
Advocates argue new data center restrictions might close Illinois market

Advocates argue new data center restrictions might close Illinois market

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers have proposed stricter regulations on data centers in the state, but an industry advocate says...
Illinois advocates urge senate action on SAVE Act

Illinois advocates urge senate action on SAVE Act

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois election-integrity advocates are pushing the U.S. Senate to agree with a recent House move and...

National News

House to vote on last four govt. funding bills costing $1.2 trillion

House to vote on last four govt. funding bills costing $1.2 trillion

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Ten days before the government funding deadline, congressional appropriators released the last four fiscal year 2026 spending bills for the U.S. House to vote on....
Reports: Walz, Frey, Ellison among those issued subpoenas by U.S. Justice

Reports: Walz, Frey, Ellison among those issued subpoenas by U.S. Justice

By J.D. DavidsonThe Center Square High-ranking Minnesota elected officials on Tuesday were served subpoenas by the U.S. Department of Justice, according to multiple reports. Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith...
Supreme Court hears arguments in 'vampire rule' gun case

Supreme Court hears arguments in ‘vampire rule’ gun case

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday in a case over a Hawaii law that prohibits concealed carry permit holders from bringing guns on...
Trump slams 'stupid' UK decision to give back key military base

Trump slams ‘stupid’ UK decision to give back key military base

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump sharply criticized the United Kingdom's decision to hand over the Chagos Islands, the location of a strategic U.S. military base, to Mauritius....
Bill would block Arizona Guard from unauthorized U.S. wars

Bill would block Arizona Guard from unauthorized U.S. wars

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square A new bill seeks to make Arizona the first state in the country to prevent its National Guard from fighting in wars not authorized by...
Trump urges arrests after church protest in St. Paul

Trump urges arrests after church protest in St. Paul

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square President Donald Trump called for protestors to be “thrown in jail” following a protest which disrupted a Sunday morning service in St. Paul. Trump’s words...
Trump says 'no going back' on plans to annex Greenland

Trump says ‘no going back’ on plans to annex Greenland

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump positioned the annexation of Greenland as essential for U.S. and global security, even as European leaders voiced strong resistance during the World...
SCOTUS declines to hear felony firearms cases

SCOTUS declines to hear felony firearms cases

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to take up two cases over whether individuals with felony records can be permanently disarmed under the Second...
One year in: Reviewing Trump's inaugural promises

One year in: Reviewing Trump’s inaugural promises

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square One year ago Tuesday, President Donald Trump told the nation its “golden age” had arrived, promising to spend his second term restoring stability at home...