Illinois

Castle Rock State Park takes part in Illinois state parks' First Day Hike event

Published

12 months ago

January 1, 2025

Castle Rock State Park takes part in Illinois state parks' First Day Hike event

(WIFR) – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources hosts First Day Hikes at Illinois state parks for people to start the new year outdoors.

The public is invited to take a family-friendly, self-guided hike Jan. 1 at Castle Rock State Park, 1365 W. Castle Rd. in Oregon.

“This was the closest state park to our area, and just decided to get some fresh air before it gets too cold and enjoy a new state park,” Beckie Maddox, hiker, says.

When asked why she enjoys hiking, Maddox gave a few reasons, saying, “Health value, outside, fresh air, seeing other hikers, people and their dogs is always fun and just kind of enjoying nature and scenery.”

All the participating parks across Illinois offer stickers and special photo opportunities for visitors.

The following parks participated in the event:

Beall Woods State Park in Wabash County
Beaver Dam State Park in Macoupin County
Cache River State Natural Area in Johnson County
Castle Rock State Park in Ogle County
Eagle Creek and Wolf Creek State Park in Shelby County
Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area in Clinton County
Ferne Clyffe State Park in Johnson County
Fox Ridge State Park in Coles County
Giant City State Park in Jackson County
Illinois Beach State Park in Lake County
Pere Marquette State Park in Jersey County
Rock Island Trail State Park in Stark County
Sand Ridge State Forest in Mason County
Sangchris Lake State Park in Sangamon County
William Powers State Recreation Area in Cook County

Trail maps and more information are available for all the parks on the Illinois First Day Hikes website.

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Illinois

Illinois high school football playoffs expanding in 2026

Published

22 minutes ago

December 17, 2025

Press Room

Illinois high school football playoffs expanding in 2026

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (KWQC) – The IHSA football playoffs will be expanding by 50 percent in 2026.

IHSA member schools approved an amendment to expand the playoffs from 32 teams per class to 48.

There will still be 8 classifications increasing the total number of playoff teams from 256 to 384.

As a result of the change, the start of the season will be moved up by a week in August to allow the season to still finish with State Championship games the week of Thanksgiving.

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Illinois

Woman found dead near Schamburg, Illinois shopping center, man in custody

Published

12 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

Woman found dead near Schamburg, Illinois shopping center, man in custody

December 16, 2025 / 10:36 AM CST
/ CBS Chicago

A woman was found dead near a shopping center in Schaumburg, Illinois early Tuesday, and a man was taken into police custody.

Around 5:25 a.m., Schaumburg police were called to the 100 block of South Roselle Road. They found a woman dead at the scene.

Police said a man was taken into custody at the scene.

The investigation so far indicates that the incident was domestic, and the man and woman knew each other.

Police said the incident was isolated and there was no threat to the public. But there was a large police presence at the scene, and alternate routes were advised.

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Illinois

Illinois officials investigating death connected to Rock Co. homicide

Published

1 day ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

Illinois officials investigating death connected to Rock Co. homicide

PRINCETON, Ill. (WMTV) – The Illinois State Patrol is investigating a death after officials found a suspect’s vehicle wanted in connection to a Wisconsin homicide, Illinois State Police reported.

Just before 10 p.m. on December 10, ISP troopers and several other agencies attempted to pull a vehicle over in Princeton, Illinois, that was wanted in a Rock County homicide.

Officials did not specify which Rock Co. case this incident is connected to.

Princeton is about an hour and 45 minutes away from Rock County, Wisconsin.

After the driver did not pull over, police chased the vehicle into the Great Sauk Trail Rest Area on I-80 westbound.

When officers went up to the vehicle, authorities stated the driver was found dead with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Authorities did not identify the driver.

ISP is working with the Bureau County State’s Attorney’s Office in this investigation.

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