Friday, January 23rd, 2026
Good morning, Decatur. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 23rd of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Heartland CASA invites community members to join a Q&A session about becoming a volunteer on Monday, Feb. 9 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. in the Decatur Public Library's Staley Room — details on volunteer roles and training starting Thursday, Feb. 12 will be shared. Now Decatur
- ➤ The Salvation Army men’s shelter in Decatur has expanded its cold cot program to raise its capacity from 30 to 50 men as temperatures drop this weekend, and the facility will also offer showers, laundry, and meals. WAND
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Illinois Department of Revenue will accept 2026 individual income tax returns starting Monday, Jan. 26 as the federal filing season begins. Taxpayers are encouraged to file electronically and use direct deposit to receive refunds before the April 15 deadline. Now Decatur
- ➤ The Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) is accepting nominations for the 2026 Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame to honor residents 65 and older for contributions in arts, sports, community service, education or labor; nominations are open until June 2. Officials urge all to help recognize local seniors. Now Decatur
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Macon County Animal Control advises pet owners to keep animals indoors during the dangerously cold weekend in Decatur, reminding them to limit outdoor breaks and protect pets from icy conditions and road salt. The agency suggests using straw for dog houses and calls residents to report animals in distress (217-425-4508). WAND
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Mark Tupper discussed the Illini win over Maryland and previewed NFL Conference Championship games during a podcast recorded Thursday, Jan. 22. His insights help local fans understand what to expect in upcoming matchups. Now Decatur
-
Strings of the Heart: Candlelit Valentine’s Concert & Dinner
7-9:30 p.m. — Decatur Conference Center & Hotel — Cost varies — Enjoy a romantic evening of live strings and a curated dinner in a candlelit atmosphere.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
~ Carl W. Buehner
About Daily Decatur
Welcome to the Daily Decatur, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Decatur, Illinois community. If you like the Daily Decatur, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Decatur.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Decatur and across Illinois. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Decatur
A free Decatur community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailydecatur.com/sitemap