The fund currently has a balance of around $20 million, which has drawn attention from local leaders and residents. READ MORE: https://www.25newsnow.com/2026/01/17/mclean-county-leaders-approve-audit-fund-with-20m-balance/

Roblox, Discord, and Snapchat have been hit with another lawsuit connected with the grooming and sexual assault of a Peoria County teen. A lawyer on the suit said she hopes the case will prevent more young people from getting hurt. DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/47c9aahz

YOUR VOICE POLL QUESTION: Snowy adventures or sunny escapes—which do you prefer? Let your voice be heard by following the link below and sharing your thoughts with us in the comments! https://www.25newsnow.com/poll 

As debate continues over the relocation of Fire Station No. 2 in Normal, firefighters are saying they think the change will lead to slower response times. READ MORE: https://www.25newsnow.com/2026/01/17/normal-firefighters-union-hosts-town-hall-station-2-relocation-debate-continues/

Pedestrian killed in Tazewell County crash DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/yzrr9w8m 

Students at Normal Community High School are prepping for their very own Ted Talk, organized by students for students READ MORE: https://www.25newsnow.com/2026/01/17/normal-community-high-school-host-its-first-ever-tedxyouth-event/ 

Arkansas man used the Bible to justify raping multiple children, police say DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/3txtnskt

Congress scrutinizes AI chatbots as use for mental health support expands DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/2n59nskv

South Carolina ‘Teacher of the Year’ charged with neglect after punching child in forehead, authorities say DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/4xdw3hzw

House advances bill to restrict congressional stock trading DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/7trkaz34

Dolly Parton Day declared for music icon’s 80th birthday DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/nnkwrs7n

President Trump’s 'Great Healthcare Plan' offers many promises, few details DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/7drnut2t

Illinois county clerks urge voters to mail ballots early after postal changes DETAILS: https://www.25newsnow.com/2026/01/16/illinois-county-clerks-urge-voters-mail-ballots-early-after-postal-changes/ 

President Trump plans to pardon ex-Puerto Rico Gov. Vázquez in campaign finance violation case, official says DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/ye7wefc8

Peoria nonprofits team up to help first-time homebuyers DETAILS: https://www.25newsnow.com/2026/01/16/peoria-nonprofits-team-up-help-first-time-homebuyers/ 

GOP voters on primary candidates for governor DETAILS: https://www.25newsnow.com/2026/01/16/gop-voters-primary-candidates-governor/ 

‘Word Cup’ tournament brings together competitive Scrabble players DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/yhh6hbdd 

Defendant in Charlie Kirk’s killing asks judge to disqualify prosecutors DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/3edm964r

Historic release: Sentence vacated for woman who killed her abuser after decades in prison DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/bdahzpmb

Illinois ‘Clean Slate’ law allows automatic sealing of nonviolent criminal records. DETAILS: https://www.25newsnow.com/2026/01/16/illinois-clean-slate-law-allows-automatic-sealing-nonviolent-criminal-records/ 

President Trump says he may punish countries with tariffs if they don’t back the US controlling Greenland DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/yc6r8tdb

Son calls 911 to say his dad killed his mom in the kitchen, drove off with 1-year-old sibling in Missouri DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/pwmz97jn 

Here’s how many social media accounts platforms removed after Australia banned them for children DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/4eebmhnb 

Photo reveals Venezuelan opposition leader Machado presenting Trump her Nobel Peace Prize DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/3xr83nvd

A new agreement between the US and Taiwan slashes the tariff rate to 15%, after President Trump initially planned to set it at 32%. DETAILS: https://www.25newsnow.com/2026/01/16/us-taiwan-sign-250b-trade-deal-cutting-tariffs-taiwanese-goods/ 

Woman with disability sues over new Florida law that lets pregnant women use accessible parking DETAILS: https://www.25newsnow.com/2026/01/16/woman-with-disability-sues-over-new-state-law-that-lets-pregnant-women-use-accessible-parking/ 

Jeep occupant OK after rolling vehicle in Peoria DETAILS: https://www.25newsnow.com/2026/01/16/jeep-occupant-ok-after-rolling-vehicle-peoria/ 

IL lawmaker, Peoria nonprofit weigh in as nation’s highest court considers transgender sports bans DETAILS: https://www.25newsnow.com/2026/01/14/include-all-people-impacted-peoria-nonprofit-weighs-supreme-court-hears-arguments-transgender-student-sports-bans/ 

Peoria firefighters rescue entrapped driver Thursday night DETAILS: https://www.25newsnow.com/2026/01/16/peoria-firefighters-rescue-entrapped-driver/ 

4 men who want to unseat Gov. JB Pritzker all came to Tazewell County to make their case to voters ahead of the primary on March 17. DETAILS: https://www.25newsnow.com/2026/01/16/gop-voters-primary-candidates-governor/ 

From Cheeseburger Meals to Oreo Snowdrift Blizzards, Dairy Queen is serving up new treats—and this Saturday, they’re bringing fun and giveaways to the Rivermen game! https://www.25newsnow.com/video/2026/01/15/dqs-sweet-deals-game-day-giveaways/ 

Get In the Know about Peoria’s newest outdoor event! Explore boats, RVs, travel ideas, and great pre-spring deals—all in one place. Adventure starts indoors! https://www.25newsnow.com/video/2026/01/15/boats-rvs-outdoor-adventure-come-peoria/  

Illinois county clerks urge voters to mail ballots early after postal changes DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/34zahcfd 

Peoria nonprofits team up to help first-time homebuyers DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/yc6enuz5 

Pritzker plans to revive homeowners insurance transparency bill DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/mrptx7mr 

Mexican food is on the menu in Bellevue for this week's You Gotta Eat! WATCH: https://tinyurl.com/3s6j4wmu 

Man in Ohio takes gun from officer, fires off shot as officers attempted to arrest him, police say DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/yc3t928m

Peoria 10-year-old charged with bringing gun to school, claims someone else forced it into backpack DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/us2yzcn4

Scientists call another near-record hot year a ‘warning shot’ of a shifting, dangerous climate DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/29ayvx5j 

President Trump announces outline of health care plan he wants Congress to consider DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/ykuhf2sa 

Military program offers pathway to residency for undocumented family members of US citizens DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/mpcb6d6b

Illinois wage inequities improve slightly, persist despite transparency efforts: report DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/mw3n7kca

Minifridge recall expands to 964,000 Frigidaires after fire reports DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/596n2n4p

Illinois among 12 states to sue as Trump seeks forced compliance with gender order DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/55u9879y 

Peoria duo arrested after traffic stop turns up loaded handgun DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/4h6xb37j

Former NCAA players and fixers charged over rigged basketball games, prosecutors say DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/2cah22hv

US seizes sixth sanctioned tanker it says has ties to Venezuela in Trump’s effort to control its oil DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/2fzhspmr

Verizon says outage that disrupted calling and data services for hours has been resolved, offers credit for customers DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/fh5tx8ha

Here's what you need to make to keep one parent at home DETAILS: https://tinyurl.com/23p8cjrt

ISU economics professor: Inflation isn’t going down any time soon DETAILS: https://www.25newsnow.com/2026/01/14/isu-economics-professor-inflation-isnt-going-down-any-time-soon/