Good morning, Decatur.

The Illinois legislature moved a homeschooling bill forward that would require families to register with local school districts — lawmakers say it will help protect children while many homeschooling families fear fines or jail if they do not comply.

Nearly 50,000 witness slips were filed and the bill now moves to the House and Senate for further debate.

Crew members will begin work next week to remove asbestos and lead paint from the former Pillsbury Mills site as part of a cleanup and demolition project led by Moving Pillsbury Forward—this work will remove all structures in 12 months and recycle more than 70,000 tons of concrete with help from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Illinois lawmakers are considering a new bill, SB2022, that would set a maximum number of patients per nurse and require hospitals to form staffing committees.

Nursing groups support the measure because they say it will cut nurse workload and workplace violence—helping bring more nurses back to patient care.

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce announced 88 awards worth $57 million to help clean energy businesses grow under the Climate & Equitable Jobs Act—one grant gives Hawk-Attollo, LLC in Decatur $901,000 for a community solar project.

All American Circus

4:00 – 5:30 PM — Decatur Civic Center — $20 Adults, $8 Children — Experience the thrill of the circus with fun for the whole family!

Midwest Toy & Comic Fest Decatur 2025

10 AM – 4 PM — Decatur Civic Center — $5 at the door — A family-friendly convention featuring toys and comics for all ages.

Molly Hatchet Concert

7-8:30 p.m. — Lincoln Square Theater — $18-$75 — Experience the iconic Southern rock sounds of Molly Hatchet blending rock, blues, country, and gospel.