Illinois

Keaton Wagler NBA mock draft projection: Where Illinois star is expected to land

Published

2 months ago

March 19, 2026

Keaton Wagler NBA mock draft projection: Where Illinois star is expected to land

March Madness is underway and today’s college stars have a chance to cement themselves in this summer’s NBA draft class. The 2026 draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY’s latest mock draft, Illinois’ Keaton Wagler is expected to go in the first round.

Here’s how USA TODAY currently projects the guard’s draft night will play out.

Keaton Wagler 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 7 overall, Atlanta Hawks

All picks based on Tankathon lottery projection

Kalbrosky’s Analysis:

After trading away Trae Young, the Hawks could find their point guard of the future in Illinois standout Keaton Wagler using a first-round pick they received from the Pelicans. The 19-year-old guard scored 46 points while shooting 9-of-11 on 3-pointers against No. 12 Purdue on Jan. 24. He projects as one of the best 3-point shooters in this class, shooting 41.0 percent from beyond the arc as a freshman this year. The Big Ten Rookie of the Year is a cerebral basketball player who is also averaging 4.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game this season.

See USA TODAY’s full mock draft here

Keaton Wagler player profile

(all stats as of March 15)

Position: Guard
Current Team: Illinois
17.9 points per game
4.8 rebounds per game
4.4 assists per game
44.6% field goal percentage
40.2% three-point field goal percentage

Atlanta Hawks 2026 projected draft picks

No. 7 (via NOP), No. 22 (via CLE) and No. 57 (via BOS)

All picks based on Tankathon lottery projection

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Illinois

Illinois State Police investigating fatal shooting of Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez by ICE agents in Franklin Park

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

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Illinois State Police investigating fatal shooting of Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez by ICE agents in Franklin Park

Illinois State Police are now investigating federal agents on the front lines of last year’s immigration sweep around Chicago known as “Operation Midway Blitz.”

ISP confirmed they’re investigating the death of Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez, who was shot “at close range” by a federal agent in Franklin Park last September.

ICE agents said Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez, originally from Mexico, was trying to flee when they attempted to stop his vehicle, and he tried to ram agents with his car.

Franklin Park police asked the state police to open the investigation shortly after receiving new information from the Illinois Accountability Commission last week.

The Cook County State’s Attorney says it will play a supportive role in the ISP investigation.

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Illinois

April in Illinois Was Warm, Wet, & Wild

Published

18 hours ago

May 5, 2026

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The preliminary statewide average April temperature was 58.6 degrees, 6.4 degrees above the 1991–2020 normal, 7.1 degrees above the 20th Century average, 5.8 degrees above the most recent 30-year average, and the second warmest April on record statewide. The preliminary statewide total April precipitation was 6.37 inches, 2.13 inches above…

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Illinois

Illinois Product Farmers Market returns May 7 with food and fun

Published

1 day ago

May 5, 2026

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Illinois Product Farmers Market returns May 7 with food and fun

Janis Reeser
| Springfield State Journal-Register

The Illinois Product Farmers Market is set to open for the 19th season, offering locally grown food, entertainment and activities for families.

The market will run from 3:30 to 7 p.m. every Thursday from May 7 to Sept. 24, excluding Aug. 13, 20 and 27, at The Shed on the Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 Sangamon Ave., Springfield, according to a community announcement.

A variety of vendors will offer fresh produce, meats, baked goods and other products processed, produced or packaged in Illinois.

The market is presented by the Illinois Department of Agriculture in partnership with several sponsors, including the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association, Lincoln Land Community College and Springfield Clinic.

Opening day will feature food and activities for families

Opening day will feature several food options, including barbecue from Nuthatch Hill BBQ, burgers from Edinburgers and mini donuts from Johnnie O’s Mini Donuts.

Family-friendly activities will include a Touch-A-Truck event, free balloon animals, face painting, yard games and a visit from the Springfield Art Association Make Truck.

Live music will be provided by Not Petty, and prize drawings will be held throughout the event.

Each visitor will receive a free reusable Illinois Product Market bag, and the Illinois Product Buy Local Prize Wheel will offer a chance to win prizes from Skateland, Happy Hour Pilates, the Aberham Lincoln Presidential Museum, HyVee, Illinois wineries and more.

Market offers LINK match program and weekly raffles

The market will offer a LINK match program. According to the announcement, for every dollar spent using LINK, customers will receive an additional dollar in LINK match to spend on fruits and vegetables.

Weekly raffles will offer $10 in “MarketCash” and an Illinois Product Basket.

Vendor space is still available

Space is still available for vendors interested in participating in the 2026 market. Those interested can contact the Illinois Department of Agriculture at agr.farmersmarket@illinois.gov.

This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.

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