Illinois

Illinois sees third-straight year of population growth. What to know

Published

5 months ago

January 31, 2026

Illinois sees third-straight year of population growth. What to know

Illinois’ population has grown for the third consecutive year, according to new estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025, Illinois added 16,108 residents – an increase of more than 100,000 residents since 2022.

“Illinois recorded its third consecutive year of population growth, as the state remains focused on strengthening the factors that help people choose to stay and build their lives here,” said Gov. JB Pritzker. “That’s why we are focused on making long-term investments in education, public safety, and economic opportunity — so families can raise their kids here, workers can build careers, and entrepreneurs can start and grow businesses across Illinois.”

Illinois population growth in the last year was in part due to natural population gains and slowing domestic outmigration. The state’s birth rate continued to outpace its death rate with approximately 125,000 births and 114,000 deaths, for a net gain of about 11,000 residents. The domestic outmigration fell to its lowest level in 15 years, with 40,017 residents leaving Illinois between July 2024 and 2025.

Recent population estimates also reflect ongoing efforts from state officials to improve the accuracy of Illinois’ census data. Following the 2020 Census, the U.S. Census Bureau’s Post-Enumeration Survey found Illinois was undercounted by approximately 250,000 people, reflecting Illinois crossing 13 million residents. A subsequent Post-Census Group Quarters Review also identified more than 46,000 additional residents now incorporated into population estimates in later years.

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Illinois

Beecher City farm suffers heavy damage following ‘wicked storm’

Published

6 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

16 hours ago

June 18, 2026

Press Room

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.

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Illinois

Storms bring damaging winds and heavy rains to central Illinois

Published

1 day ago

June 18, 2026

Press Room

Storms bring damaging winds and heavy rains to central Illinois

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Multiple rounds of severe storms impacted central Illinois on Wednesday bringing damaging wind gusts and very heavy rain. Our area was sparred from the worst of the tornadoes, but areas south of I-72 were not so fortunate with damage to homes and injuries reported.

An outflow boundary from our morning storms struggled to get any further north than highway 136, which was about 30 miles south of what was anticipated early this morning. This kept the risk of strong tornadoes just south of our local region, though we still had plenty of rain and instances of large hail and gusty winds roll through central Illinois.

The worst of the wind came with the storms in the morning. As the severe storms moved through the area they produced measured gust of 60-70 mph with localized gusts estimated to be around 80 mph. The winds resulted in tree, powerline, and structural damage from Knox through McLean County.

Storm Reports

Galesburg – Tree and power line damage
Williamsfield – Roof partially torn off building
Princeville – Tree damage
Dunlap – 60 mph wind gust
Bellevue – 60 mph wind gust
Germantown Hills – Trees down
Roanoke – 60 mph wind gust
El Paso – Power poles snapped
El Paso – Multiple semis and campers rolled on I-39
Gidley – 70 mph wind gust
Chenoa – Semi rolled on I-55

Dunlap – 1.0″ size hail
Metamora – 1.0″ size hail
Armington – 1.0″ size hail

Rain reports

West Peoria – 4.37″
Lexington – 4.00″
West Peoria – 3.98″
Washington – 3.97″
East Peoria – 3.47″
Dunlap – 3.40″
Goodfield – 2.47″
Towanda – 2.43″
Peoria (PIA) – 2.24″
Lewistown – 2.20″
Galesburg – 1.84″
Chillicothe – 1.52″
Pontiac – 1.27″