Morgan County, Illinois Local News

South Jacksonville voters to decide fire district referendum for funding, new equipment

South Jacksonville fire chief Rich Evans says voters will decide later this month whether to replace $100 subscriptions with a fire district tax that would cost a $90,000 home about $126 a year.

James Thompson•2 min read•01:11 PM

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About Morgan, IL

Population

Approximately 33,000 residents

County Seat

Jacksonville, Illinois

Coverage Area

572 square miles in west-central Illinois

Local Updates

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Newsroom monitoring local Morgan, IL developments. Next update cycle in 19 minutes.

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Community

Burrus, Lonergan Inducted into Morgan County Agri-Industry Hall of Fame in Jacksonville

Todd Burrus and Mike Lonergan were inducted into the Morgan County Agri‑Industry Hall of Fame at Hamilton’s in Jacksonville today, March 6, 2026.

Sarah Chen2m read

Community

Springfield Man Arrested After Aggravated Assault, Hit-and-Run and Chase; Firearm Recovered

Jacksonville police arrested 22-year-old Jacorrunta K. Robinson of Springfield after he allegedly brandished a weapon at West Independence Avenue and North Main Street, fled in a burgundy vehicle and was found with a firearm whose serial number had been scratched off.

Sarah Chen2m read

Community

Morgan County Prairieland United Way Raises $517,500; Extra Funds Already Needed

Prairieland United Way raised $517,500, $42,500 (9%) over its $475,000 goal, and Executive Director Karen Walker says the extra money is already needed as allocation meetings begin next week.

Marcus Williams2m read

Government

Jacksonville Man Indicted Federally for Distributing Meth in Morgan County

Marquise Jackson, 34, of Jacksonville was indicted on two federal counts for distributing more than 50 grams of meth in Morgan County; he was detained Feb. 25 and faces a March 30 pretrial hearing.

James Thompson2m read

Community

Jacksonville Area Museum Awards Winners of Building with Brick LEGO Exhibit

More than 120 LEGO builds filled the old Post Office at 301 E. State Street, and winners were announced at a 2 p.m. awards ceremony Sunday, March 1.

Lisa Park2m read

Community

Family Seeks Judge Approval for $450,000 Wrongful-Death Settlement in Jacksonville

Family members are asking a judge to approve a $450,000 settlement in a wrongful-death suit tied to a Jacksonville house fire that killed a person identified in court papers only as "63-".

Lisa Park2m read

Government

March 17 Morgan County Primary: Candidates and Local Races to Watch

Morgan County voters will choose clerk, sheriff, treasurer, an at‑large commissioner and the Regional Office of Education 1 superintendent in the March 17 primary.

James Thompson2m read

Government

Jacksonville Council to Consider Demolition of Cherry Apartments After Jan. Fire

The three-story Cherry Apartments at 342 West State Street, which burned on Jan. 15, was on the Jacksonville City Council agenda as members met March 8 to consider authorizing its demolition.

James Thompson1m read

Government

Jacksonville Woman Booked on 10 Charges After Pursuit; Deputy Faircloth Indicted

A Jacksonville woman was taken into custody after a short pursuit and booked into the Morgan County jail on a slate of 10 charges, including reckless driving and aggravated fleeing police.

Marcus Williams3m read

Education

Jacksonville Schools Refocus Curriculum to Boost ACT, Expand IXL; Corolla Contest

Jacksonville school officials announced expanded IXL testing and targeted ACT strategies for middle and high school cohorts; a separate Renda Broadcasting contest starting Oct. 20, 2025 offers juniors and seniors a chance to win a Toyota Corolla.

Marcus Williams3m read

Government

Judge Chris Reif Delays Written Rulings on Evidence in Jacksonville Murder Trial

A Morgan County judge delayed written rulings on defense motions to admit portions of the deceased’s juvenile record as lawyers prepared for jury selection in a high-profile Jacksonville murder case.

Marcus Williams2m read

Healthcare

Jacksonville Rehabilitation Center Opens Employee Pantry, Aid Programs in Morgan County

Jacksonville Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation in Morgan County has launched an on-site essentials pantry and rolled out advance pay, gas cards and grants for employees facing daily economic pressures.

Dr. Elena Rodriguez2m read

Healthcare

Jacksonville OB-GYN Olejnik wins SIU Medicine 2026 women's advancement award

Dr. Jeffrey L. Olejnik of Jacksonville received SIU Medicine’s 2026 Advancement of Women in Medicine and Science award and has earned The Menopause Society Certified Practitioner designation.

Dr. Elena Rodriguez2m read

Community

Woman Pushed to Ground, Purse Snatched at Jacksonville Aldi; Police Seek Tips

Woman shoved to the ground and robbed in the Aldi parking lot at 329 E. Morton Ave. in Jacksonville; police say they are seeking tips.

Sarah Chen2m read

Education

Winchester Board Votes to Demolish 66-Year-Old Gym, Build Multipurpose Facility

Parents in Winchester will see 6,000-pound shoring towers inside the condemned elementary gym as the district moves to demolish the 66-year-old building and build a temporary multipurpose space.

Marcus Williams2m read

Government

Crime Stoppers, Morgan County Sheriff Seek Tips in Nortonville Theft

Crime Stoppers of Morgan, Scott & Cass Counties and the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department are seeking tips after a rural theft near Nortonville, reported to have occurred between Feb. 20 and early March.

James Thompson1m read

Education

East St. Louis routs Jacksonville 82-50; Crimsons' season ends 23-9

East St. Louis beat Jacksonville 82-50 in the Class 3A Waterloo sectional semifinal, ending Jacksonville’s season at 23-9 and sending the Flyers into the sectional final.

Marcus Williams2m read

Government

Morgan County 2017 Seizure Figures Used in Robert Fiels' 70-Month Sentence

38-year-old Robert Fiels of City Falls, Oregon was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison after prosecutors tied a Dec. 31, 2017 Morgan County RV seizure of about 1,000 pounds of marijuana to his role in a cross-country conspiracy.

James Thompson2m read

Community

Cigar Ashtray Embers Ignite Apartment Fire on E. Douglas Avenue Sunday Night

A fire reported just before 10 p.m. Sunday at 740 E. Douglas Ave. in Jacksonville was blamed on embers from a cigar ashtray, prompting an investigation into the cause.

Lisa Park2m read

Community

Civic and Cultural Anchors in Jacksonville, Morgan County: Museum, College Facilities

Jacksonville’s civic life pivots around the Jacksonville Area Museum and Illinois College’s Joe Brooks Baseball Field and England Stadium, anchors for culture, youth activity, and community health in Morgan County.

Lisa Park6m read

Community

Jacksonville Main Street Names Donny Gillis Volunteer, GFL Environmental Business Winner

Donny Gillis named Jacksonville Main Street volunteer of the year; GFL Environmental honored as business of the year while the group canceled its year-end meeting.

Lisa Park2m read

Community

Longtime Meredosia Resident Norma Jean (Polly) Schweer Dies at 95

Norma Jean "Polly" Staake Schweer, 95, of Meredosia died March 6 at Scott County Nursing Center; funeral set for 11 a.m. March 12 at Buchanan & Cody in Jacksonville with burial at Oakland Cemetery.

Sarah Chen2m read

Business

Green Wall Bar and Grill in Franklin Temporarily Closes Citing Staffing Challenges

The Green Wall Bar & Grill, a family-owned restaurant on Franklin's town square, will temporarily close after Thursday, March 5, 2026, citing "significant staffing changes" owners say need time to address.

Sarah Chen2m read

Education

Jacksonville High Fans Navigate New GoFan Ticketing for Sectional Postseason

Jacksonville High fans had to buy GoFan digital tickets for the March 2 sectional; JISD lists Jacksonville as “Online, debit/credit at the gate. No cash.”

Sarah Chen3m read

Healthcare

Jacksonville Memorial Hospital, ImpactLife Host Community Blood Drive March 2

Jacksonville Memorial Hospital held a community blood drive March 2 at 1600 W. Walnut in Meeting Rooms 2 and 3, offering appointment slots 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and $20-$25 e-gift incentives.

Lisa Park2m read

Community

Thieves Steal Device Containing Security Camera Footage From Western Illinois Youth Camp

A device believed to contain security camera footage was stolen from Western Illinois Youth Camp during the weekend, the camp reported March 2, 2026.

Marcus Williams2m read

Education

Illinois College baseball wins two in Florida, extends early-season road swing

Illinois College posted two Florida victories, a 2-0 win over the University of Dubuque and a 5-4 win over Grove City College, extending its early-season road swing.

Marcus Williams3m read

Healthcare

West Central Joint Dispatch Center to Host CPR, BLS Certification Session

West Central Joint Dispatch Center held a Basic Life Support and CPR certification session on March 4, 2026, aimed at local first responders and community members to obtain or renew credentials.

Lisa Park2m read

Government

Photos Show IDOT Trucks Appearing to Dump Deer at Apple Creek Bridge

A Greene County resident posted Feb. 22 photos showing IDOT trucks on the Belltown Bridge on Illinois 267 appearing to dump deer into Apple Creek; IDOT says the carcasses were held briefly for incineration.

James Thompson2m read

Prism Local News

South Jacksonville voters to decide fire district referendum for funding, new equipment

About Morgan, IL

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More Local News

Burrus, Lonergan Inducted into Morgan County Agri-Industry Hall of Fame in Jacksonville

Springfield Man Arrested After Aggravated Assault, Hit-and-Run and Chase; Firearm Recovered

Morgan County Prairieland United Way Raises $517,500; Extra Funds Already Needed

Jacksonville Man Indicted Federally for Distributing Meth in Morgan County

Jacksonville Area Museum Awards Winners of Building with Brick LEGO Exhibit

Family Seeks Judge Approval for $450,000 Wrongful-Death Settlement in Jacksonville

March 17 Morgan County Primary: Candidates and Local Races to Watch

Jacksonville Council to Consider Demolition of Cherry Apartments After Jan. Fire

Jacksonville Woman Booked on 10 Charges After Pursuit; Deputy Faircloth Indicted

Jacksonville Schools Refocus Curriculum to Boost ACT, Expand IXL; Corolla Contest

Judge Chris Reif Delays Written Rulings on Evidence in Jacksonville Murder Trial

Jacksonville Rehabilitation Center Opens Employee Pantry, Aid Programs in Morgan County

Jacksonville OB-GYN Olejnik wins SIU Medicine 2026 women's advancement award

Woman Pushed to Ground, Purse Snatched at Jacksonville Aldi; Police Seek Tips

Winchester Board Votes to Demolish 66-Year-Old Gym, Build Multipurpose Facility

Crime Stoppers, Morgan County Sheriff Seek Tips in Nortonville Theft

East St. Louis routs Jacksonville 82-50; Crimsons' season ends 23-9

Morgan County 2017 Seizure Figures Used in Robert Fiels' 70-Month Sentence

Cigar Ashtray Embers Ignite Apartment Fire on E. Douglas Avenue Sunday Night

Civic and Cultural Anchors in Jacksonville, Morgan County: Museum, College Facilities

Jacksonville Main Street Names Donny Gillis Volunteer, GFL Environmental Business Winner

Longtime Meredosia Resident Norma Jean (Polly) Schweer Dies at 95

Green Wall Bar and Grill in Franklin Temporarily Closes Citing Staffing Challenges

Jacksonville High Fans Navigate New GoFan Ticketing for Sectional Postseason

Jacksonville Memorial Hospital, ImpactLife Host Community Blood Drive March 2

Thieves Steal Device Containing Security Camera Footage From Western Illinois Youth Camp

Illinois College baseball wins two in Florida, extends early-season road swing

West Central Joint Dispatch Center to Host CPR, BLS Certification Session

Photos Show IDOT Trucks Appearing to Dump Deer at Apple Creek Bridge