afternoon news

A former Illinois governor has a new home.  Rod Blagojevich who has been incarcerated in a Denver suburb for three years has moved from the low security institution to a prison camp nearby. This facility has more freedom of movement and does not have any fencing ... Read More ...

The back of a Rockford school bus burst into flames this afternoon on Kishwaukee Street near the Morgan Street Bridge.The incident happened at around 2:45pm, when fire broke out in the engine bay.  Details are immediately available, but our partners at Eyewitness news say there were no children on the bus when the fire broke out ... Read More ...

Temperatures in the 40s this weekend could add danger to ice fishing activities on Wisconsin waterways. After weeks in seasonal to cold temps, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says the ice will probably look thicker than it is, so officials are warning people to keep their ice fishing shanties on solid ground ... Read More ...

State workers behind a challenge to an Illinois pension law that was declared unconstitutional are opposing the government's attempt to have it speedily heard by the state Supreme Court. Attorney General Lisa Madigan argues the government needs a decision quickly because if it can't implement the law, it would have to find a way to make up about $1 billion in savings ... Read More ...

Rockford Health System ambassadors are holding a holiday toy drive this year. The goal is to raise $20,000 to purchase toys for children and their siblings in local hospitals. The toys will be distributed year round. Illinois lawmakers have ended their fall veto session ... Read More ...

The TSA is apologizing for security lines on Sunday at Chicago's Midway Airport that stretched over one mile long. Travelers said lines spilled out into the public transit line. The TSA says problems were caused by inadequate staffing and a closed security checkpoint ... Read More ...

Jurors would get a big pay boost under legislation the Illinois House approved today. The measure would require counties to pay jurors $25 for the first day of service and $50 for each additional day. Counties now are allowed to pay jurors as little as $4 a day ... Read More ...

Local Rockford fast food workers will join over 150 cities across the nation demanding higher pay. Leaders of the Fight for $15 movement announced a pair of local rallies later this week. McDonald's workers at the Auburn St. location will strike Thursday, which also happens to be the two year anniversary of the movement's birth ... Read More ...

Republican Tom Cross has conceded the Illinois treasurer's race to Democrat Mike Frerichs. Cross released a statement today saying he has called and congratulated the state senator from Champaign. The hard-fought race had as few as 400 votes separating the candidates early this week ... Read More ...

A Rockford man was sentenced to 57 years in prison today in connection will an assault and home invasion earlier this year. 18-year-old Coreyon Brown was handed down the sentence in court after pleading guilty to two counts out of 17 against him, which include 1st degree murder and unlawful restraint ... Read More ...