Illinois

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

Published

1 year 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

Pedestrian fatally struck by Metra train in Palatine, Illinois

Published

51 minutes ago

June 19, 2026

Press Room

Pedestrian fatally struck by Metra train in Palatine, Illinois

Updated on: June 19, 2026 / 7:10 AM CDT
/ CBS Chicago

A person was fatally hit by a Metra train in Palatine, Illinois, early Friday morning.

Around 5:10 a.m., Metra said Union Pacific Northwest train No. 602 hit a pedestrian at Baldwin Road and Northwest Highway.

Metra confirmed the person died at the scene. The victim has not been identified.

Metra said train service on the Union Pacific Northwest line is suspended.

This is a developing story. CBS News Chicago will continue to provide updates.

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Illinois

Beecher City farm suffers heavy damage following ‘wicked storm’

Published

11 hours ago

June 18, 2026

Press Room

Beecher City farm suffers heavy damage following ‘wicked storm’

BEECHER CITY, Ill. (WAND) – Farms were damaged in Effingham County Wednesday evening when a powerful storm swept through at around 8 p.m.

The McKay Farm in Beecher City was heavily damaged when the rapidly moving storm hit.

“Two buildings were totally destroyed,” Dan McKay told WAND News on Thursday. “We’ve got five grain bins and they’re all damaged.”

The buildings collapsed onto farm equipment and a semi that were parked in the structures. A utility pole was snapped and ripped out of the ground.

In nearby Shumway, another farm was hit. A barn collapsed, with a grain bin being ripped apart and debris traveling several hundred feet through a nearby corn field. A house on the property was also damaged.

There were no injuries on either farm.

“It was a really wicked storm,” McKay stated.

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Illinois

Powerful tornadoes leave behind devastation in Illinois

Published

21 hours ago

June 18, 2026

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Powerful tornadoes leave behind devastation in Illinois – CBS News

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Violent tornadoes ripped through central Illinois on Wednesday, leaving behind swaths of destruction. One man described how he shielded himself and his family from the storms. Rob Marciano reports.