April 2, 2026 - State Sen. Doris Turner is advancing legislation aimed at helping small businesses reinvest in growth and expansion. The proposal, Senate Bill 3614, would create a new account allowing small-business owners to set aside funds for capital expenses such as building improvements, equipment, and technology ...

April 2, 2026 - The Decatur Police Department has launched a new online tool designed to give residents access to police activity across the city. The platform, called Citizen Connect, replaces the department's previous website and allows users to view incidents and cases through an interactive map. The system is conne...

April 2, 2026 -The Macon County Conservation District and the Macon County Conservation Foundation will celebrate milestone anniversaries and upcoming environmental holidays with a large-scale community tree planting event next month. The "Rooted in Community: 1,000 Tree Planting Event" will take place Saturd...

April 2, 2026 - The Decatur Area Arts Council has announced the return of the Decatur Craft Beer Festival, featuring events this spring that highlight craft brewing, food and community activities. VIP Night: Exclusive Tastes for Exclusive Tastes, will take place May 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. at GK9 Wine & Spirits. The gu...

April 2, 2026 - The Decatur Pintwood Derby returns Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Decatur Brew Works, bringing together fast racing, creative car designs, and craft beverages - all to benefit local Scouting programs. The Pintwood Derby is a pinewood derby-style racing event designed for adults, bus...

April 1, 2026 - The Children's Museum of Illinois is inviting families to take part in a community art project that explores the "power of play." Participants will contribute to a guided art activity and have the option to participate in an anonymous audio interview, resulting in a collaborative mural and int...

April 1, 2026- Decatur Comic-Con 3 will take place April 11 and 12 at the Decatur Civic Center. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days and will feature more than 100 vendor booths offering collectibles, along with activities including a costume contest, video game contest, panel discussions and appearances by ...

March 31, 2026- ImpactLife is partnering with local organizations to host a series of community blood drives in Decatur and Niantic throughout April. The first drive is scheduled for Tuesday, April 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Decatur Memorial Hospital, located at 2300 North Edward Street. Donations will take place in C...

March 31, 2026- State Sen. Doris Turner has advanced legislation in the Illinois Senate aimed at expanding access to agricultural education programs across the state. The proposal, Senate Bill 3226, would require the Illinois State Board of Education to produce a report detailing the availability and condition of agric...

March 31, 2026- The Governor Richard J. Oglesby Mansion will host its annual educational play for fifth grade students from April 27 through May 1, 2026. This year's production, "Grant Visits the Oglesbys," focuses on President Ulysses S. Grant's 1880 visit to Decatur. The program invites area students to tou...