Pregame coverage starts at 6:50 p.m. every Friday night followed by kick-off and play-by-play at 7 p.m.

WJBC will feature one area game every week and give scoring updates throughout the night from other area games. And don’t miss the postgame coverage as well!

The WJBC High School Football Extravaganza is sponsored by CEFCU, Land of Lincoln Credit Union, ReMax Rising relator Tracy Patkunas, COUNTRY Financial Rep. Katherine Petersen, Gill Street Sports Bar and Restaurant, Bloomington Public Library, Heller Ford, Heller Motors, Heller Chevrolet.

Broadcast Schedule (additional games will be added as the season progresses. Game broadcasts are subject to change):

Each week, WJBC-AM 1230 and FM 102.1 plans to broadcast a High School basketball game of the week, sponsored by CEFCU!

Pregame coverage starts at 6:50 p.m. followed by play-by-play at 7 p.m. And don’t miss the postgame coverage as well!

High School basketball on WJBC is sponsored by CEFCU, Heller Ford, O’Brien Hyundai of Normal, ReMax Rising Realtor Tracy Patkunas, Heller Motors, Lanz Underground Solutions and Community Motors, Land of Lincoln Credit Union, Bloomington Public Library, Floor Coverings International, Direct Travel, Country Financial Representative Katherine Peterson, McLean County Unit 5, Fasters ETC, and Gill Street Sports Bar and Restaurant.

Broadcast Schedule (additional games will be added as season progresses. Game broadcasts are subject to change):

Tuesday, Jan. 9: (Girls) Bloomington at Normal West

Thursday, Jan. 16 (Boys) Lexington at Heyworth (PREGAME AT 5:20 p.m. with Play-by-play at 5:30 p.m.)

Thursday, Jan. 23 (Boys) Peoria Manual at Normal Community

Tuesday, Jan. 28 (Girls) Normal Community at Bloomington

Tuesday, Feb. 4 (Boys) Paxton Buckley-Loda at Central Catholic

Tuesday, Feb. 11 (Boys) Pekin vs. Normal Community

Friday, Feb. 21 (Boys) Normal West vs. Normal Community

Wednesday, Feb. 26 (Boys) REGIONAL Normal Community vs. Normal West (Pregame at 5:50 p.m. with play-by-play at 6 p.m.)

By Blake Haas 

BLOOMINGTON — Each year, 64 teams from across Illinois gather in the twin cities for the State Farm Holiday Classic. 

After defeating Kankakee Bishop Mac, Bloomington Central Catholic reached the Championship game in the small school girls’ division. 

Central Catholic will compete against Central Southeastern for the Small School Girls division at the Shirk Center on the campus of Illinois Wesleyan University. 

You can hear coverage on Monday, Dec. 30, at 3:20 p.m. on AM 1230 and FM 102.1 WJBC. 

Meanwhile, Normal Community girls basketball reached the Large School Division Championship game on Dec. 30 at 7 p.m. 

The Lady Ironmen plan to battle top-seeded Washington for the Championship. 

You can hear coverage on Monday, Dec. 30 at 6:50 p.m. on AM 1230 and FM 102.1 WJBC. 

High School basketball on WJBC is sponsored by CEFCU, Heller Ford, O’Brien Hyundai of Normal, ReMax Rising relator Tracy Patkunas, Heller Motors, Lanz Underground Solutions, and Community Motors. 

Coverage is also sponsored by: 

• Land of Lincoln Credit Union
• Bloomington Public Library
• Floor Coverings International
• Direct Travel
• Country Financial Rep. Katherine Peterson
• McLean County Unit 5
• Fasteners ETC
• Gill Street Sports Bar and Restaurant 

Our coverage throughout the high school season can be found on AM 1230, FM 102.1, and WJBC.com. 

Blake Haas can be reached at Blake.Haas@Cumulus.com. 

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – There’s a new sheriff in Springfield, and she’s talking to the Sonya Massey Commission.

Paula Crouch succeeded Jack Campbell, who retired after heavy criticism in the wake of the July killing of Sonya Massey, a Black woman from Springfield, by then-deputy Sean Grayson. Massey had called 9-1-1 to report a possible prowler, but Grayson killed her – claiming self-defense out of fear Massey would throw a potful of scalding water at him.

Grayson has been charged with murder and remains jailed. Bodycam video of the incident went viral.

In three months on the job, Crouch has implemented more thorough investigation of new hires. “I think that the process that I have in place is a step in the right direction,” she said at Monday night’s meeting. “I don’t know if it would have prohibited him from being hired.” In fact, Crouch said she would not rule out hiring someone who – like Grayson – has two DUI arrests in their past.

The commission meets again Jan. 13.

Dave Dahl can be reached at News@WJBC.com.

By PETER HANCOCK
Capitol News Illinois
phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois’ assault weapons ban will remain in place, at least until a federal appeals court hears full arguments challenging a lower court ruling that found the law unconstitutional.

In a brief, two-page order issued Thursday, Dec. 5, a three-judge panel of the 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago granted the state’s motion to delay the order, noting that just a year earlier the circuit refused to grant a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of the same law.

The order noted that while refusing to issue a preliminary injunction is not the same as upholding the law entirely, “the laws have enough support to remain in place pending the final resolution of plaintiffs’ suit.”

Illinois lawmakers passed the weapons ban in January 2023 in response to numerous mass shootings around the country in which AR-style rifles with large-capacity magazines were used. Among those was a deadly shooting at an Independence Day parade the previous summer in Highland Park.

The law bans the sale, purchase and manufacture of a wide range of firearms that are defined as “assault weapons,” as well as large-capacity magazines and certain kinds of attachments, including those that increase the rate of fire from a standard semiautomatic weapon.

The new law was quickly challenged in multiple lawsuits in state and federal court. In August 2023, the Illinois Supreme Court upheld the law against claims that it violated provisions of the Illinois Constitution. But the broader claims that it violates the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution are still a matter of legal dispute.

The various federal cases were eventually consolidated into three lawsuits – two in the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago and one in the Southern District in East St. Louis.

In April 2023, Judge Stephen McGlynn, of the Southern District, granted a preliminary injunction to block enforcement of the law while a trial of the case proceeded in his court, saying plaintiffs in that case were likely to prevail in the end. But two other judges in the Northern District denied identical motions, reaching an opposite conclusion about the prospects of the case.

Those three cases were then consolidated in the first appeal to the 7^th Circuit, which ruled 2-1 in November 2023 that the preliminary injunctions should be denied. That decision was then appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which declined to hear the cases at this juncture, sending them back to the lower courts for full proceedings.

In September, McGlynn conducted a weeklong trial of the case in the Southern District, and on Nov. 8 handed down a decision declaring the law unconstitutional and enjoining the state from enforcing it. But he stayed the effective date of that order for 30 days, giving the state time to appeal.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office appealed almost immediately and requested a stay of McGlynn’s order. On Thursday, just a few days before McGlynn’s order would have gone into effect, the 7^th Circuit granted a stay, keeping the law in effect.

Meanwhile, the two other cases are still pending before different judges of the Northern District but have not yet gone to trial.

In its order Thursday, the 7^th Circuit panel took notice of those other cases, where different judges have declined to issue preliminary injunctions.

“The state laws cannot be valid in some parts of Illinois and invalid elsewhere,” the panel noted.

“This does not necessarily imply that the three cases will again be consolidated on appeal; we are reluctant to delay disposition of this appeal indefinitely just because similar litigation is pending in other districts,” the order stated. “Still, the only way to preserve the status quo statewide is to enter a stay in this suit.”

The panel included Judges Frank Easterbrook, Michael Brennan, and Amy St. Eve.

The panel noted that just this year, other federal circuits have reached similar conclusions in at least two other instances. Those included one in March when the 1^st Circuit Court of Appeals refused to block enforcement of a Rhode Island assault weapons ban, and another in August when the 4^th Circuit upheld a Maryland assault weapons ban.
Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundatio

By Neil Doyle

NORMAL – The U-High Pioneers (10-3) had a chance to tie or even win the game, but an interception in the final seconds by Mt. Zion (10-3) ended the contest as the Braves won 21-14 in the Class 4A semifinals Saturday night at Hancock Stadium.

The Pioneers got off to a solid start with a first quarter rushing touchdown from sophomore Lyfe Campbell. But the Braves answered back with three first half touchdowns, all on the ground from senior Brayden Trimble.

The U-High defense turned up the intensity in the second half as they didn’t allow any other points.

Pioneers senior quarterback Alek Weiland connected on a 26-yard passing touchdown to junior Cade Cunningham in the fourth quarter to make it a one score game.

With about two minutes to play, the Pioneers moved the ball down the field into Mt. Zion territory. But a 13-yard pass from Weiland to Cunningham in the end zone was picked off.

Mt. Zion advances to the Class 4A state title game next week at Hancock Stadium as they’ll face Chicago DePaul Prep.

U-High head coach Brody Walworth spoke after the game with WJBC’s Eric Lapan.

LeRoy Panthers

In the Class 1A semifinals Saturday afternoon, LeRoy hosted Lena-Winslow but the Panthers had its season come to end as they lost 42-13. Lena moves on to the state championship to face Althoff Catholic.

LeRoy head coach BJ Zeleznik spoke with WJBC’s Neil Doyle after the game.

IHSA Football Semifinal Scores. State Championship information can be found here.

Class 1A
Lena-Winslow 42 LeRoy 13
Althoff 58 Camp Point Central 19

Class 2A
Chicago Christian 34 Farmington 20
Maroa-Forsyth 41 Johnston City 22

Class 3A
Montini 42 Wilmington 12
Monticello 23 Tolono Unity 20

Class 4A
Mt. Zion 21 U-High 14

Chicago DePaul Prep 21 Coal City 14

Class 5A
Joliet Catholic 42 Morris 6

Nazereth 40 St. Francis 21

Class 6A
Geneva 28 Cary-Grove 26
East St. Louis 48 Richards 0

Class 7A
Mt. Carmel 43 St. Rita 24

Batavia 25 Lincoln-Way Central 21

Class 8A

Loyola 27 Lincoln-Way East 24

York 20 Naperville Central 15

Neil Doyle can be reached at neil.doyle@cumulus.com

By WMBD-TV

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington’s newest hockey team is hitting the ice on Friday, November 8, with jerseys to honor local veterans.

The new green jerseys are not the only way the team is highlighting servicemen and women for Military Appreciation Night. Andy Zilch, Director of Media Relations & Broadcasting, dropped by WMBD to talk about this themed night.

Zilch explained the national anthem will be performed by a former Air Force veteran, along with an ROTC Color Guard presentation. The ceremonial puck drop will also be done by a Combat Veteran.

Veterans can participate in the “Shoot the Puck” challenge for a chance to win a new car.

The military green jersey’s worn by the players will also be auctioned off after the game, with the proceeds going to Veterans Maintenance Solutions.

The puck drops at 7:00 p.m. at Grossinger Motors Arena.

By Jake Fogal

DOWNS – Tri-Valley and Central Catholic are separated by nine miles in Central Illinois, but don’t meet very often despite the short distance between the two schools.

Last time these two teams met came back in 2016, when Tri-Valley beat the Saints 28-6. The two Class 2A schools met again in Round 1 of the 2024 postseason, where the Vikings came out on top in a back and forth battle, 42-28.

The opening kickoff foreshadowed what was to come for much of the first half, as an offsides penalty on the Saints reset the first play of the contest. Neither team could muster any points in the opening quarter, but it was Vikings senior Cole Klein getting the scoring started in the second quarter with a one-yard run to give Tri-Valley a 7-0 lead. Klein added another score to the board later in the second, from a few yards off the goal line.

The Vikings shutout the Saints in the first half, before both teams hit a second gear in the third quarter.

Cade Danko snared in a long pass from quarterback Ethan Moore on the opening drive of the second half to give the Vikings a 21-0 advantage. Central Catholic depended on TJ Larson on a 79-yard play to get the Saints in the scoring column.

Vikings senior Thomas Harris returned the next kickoff for 80-yards to put the Vikings back up by three touchdowns. The high-level action continued as Central Catholic quarterback Valshun Powe worked his way to the end zone on a long run. The Saints still trailed by 14 heading into the fourth quarter.

Klein picked up his third touchdown of the night on a 31-yard touchdown run in the final quarter. The Saints put together a late drive as quarterback Matthew Brady completed a 31-yard throw to running back Nathaniel Roberts for a score. Larson secured another touchdown catch from Brady late in the fourth quarter, but it came too late.

Danko put the dagger into the Saints season returning an onside kick attempt for a touchdown to win 42-28.

Tri-Valley Head Coach Josh Roop and running back Cole Klein joined WJBC’s Eric Lapan following the win in Round 1.

Other final scores throughout Central Illinois from Round 1:

#6 Normal Community 41-16 #27 West Chicago (Class 7A)

#10 U-High 41-14 #7 Manteno (Class 4A)

#1 LeRoy 54-21 #16 Aurora Christian (Class 1A)

#7 Eureka 29-22 #10 Peotone (Class 3A)

#1 Byron 57-20 #16 Prairie Central (Class 3A)

#7 Seneca 39-23 #10 El-Paso Gridley (Class 2A)

Round 1 Saturday Games:

#8 Normal West 20-15 #9 Chicago Simeon

#3 Gibson City (Melvin-Sibley) 38-7 #14 Salt Fork

#13 Olympia at #4 Nashville (2:30 p.m.)

#16 Dee-Mack at #1 Farmington (3:30 p.m.)

#11 Lemont at #6 Bloomington (6:00 p.m.)

The High School Football Extravaganza is sponsored by CEFCU.

Jake Fogal can be reached at Jacob.Fogal@Cumulus.com.

By WMBD-TV

BLOOMINGTON – The regular season is over, it’s time for postseason football.

Twenty-one area teams will play in the high school football state playoffs, as announced by the Illinois High School Association on Saturday. The 256-team playoff field is set but game dates and times don’t have to be finalized until Monday.

Undefeated LeRoy is a No. 1 seed in the 1A bracket. The Panthers (9-0) will host Aurora Christian.

Two area rivals will also host 1A playoffs games. Fifth-seeded Stark County (8-1) hosts Ottawa Marquette and No. 7 Princeville (7-2) will host Stockton.

Farmington is a top-seed in the 2A bracket. The Farmers (9-0) will host No. 16 Dee-Mack (7-2).

El Paso-Gridley (6-3) will travel to Seneca, third-seeded Tri-Valley (8-1) earns a first-round home game against Bloomington Central Catholic (5-4) and fourth-seeded Elmwood-Brimfield (8-1) will host Oakwood in the 2A playoffs.

In class 3A, Eureka is a 7 seed and the Hornets (8-1) will host Peotone. Prairie Central (5-4), which needed a win in the regular season finale to be playoff eligible, will travel to top-seeded Byron and 13th-seeded Olympia (6-3) will play at Nashville.

The 4A playoff bracket includes a pair of area schools who will open the playoffs on the road. 13th-seeded Notre Dame (5-4) will travel to Rochester while tenth-seeded U-High (7-2) will head to Manteno.

Peoria High is seeded No. 2 in the class 5A playoffs and the Lions (7-2) earn a home playoff opener against Hillcrest. No. 9 Metamora (6-3) heads to Centralia.

In 6A, Bloomington is the highest-seeded area team in the bracket. The sixth-seeded Raiders (7-2) host Lemont.

Also in the 6A playoffs, No. 7 Washington (7-2) hosts Shepard, No. 8 Normal West (7-2) hosts Simeon and No. 15 Dunlap (6-3) travels to Richards.

In the 7A playoff field, sixth-seeded Normal Community (8-1) hosts West Chicago. And No. 13 Pekin (7-2) hosts Lincoln-Way West.

The IHSA football playoff brackets can be found here.

By Jake Fogal

NORMAL – The top two teams of the Big 12 Conference squared off in the final week of the 2024 regular season Friday night. Normal Community hosted Peoria at Dick Tharp Field in Week 9, and with both programs already securing postseason spots, focus was pointed towards a conference title.

The Lions received the opening kickoff and found success against the stout Ironmen defense. Junior Jaylon Radford scored on a short scramble to give the away team an early lead. It wasn’t long for NCHS to bounce back, as Calen Taylor found the end zone the following drive.

Peoria started moving the ball through the air in the second quarter, as quarterback Breon Green connected on a 38-yard pass with senior Spencer Russell to take back the lead, 12-6.

Ironmen quarterback Kyle Beaty got hot as well in the second quarter, throwing two touchdowns, both going to senior wide receiver Mar’Quan Gary

Neither team could find success on extra points, as the first four attempts resulted in zero points. Normal Community held the lead entering the second half 19-12.

Senior Jase Wilson kept the ball rolling for NCHS on the opening kickoff of the third quarter, returning an onside kick attempt by the Lions for 40 yards and a touchdown. Taylor added another touchdown to his stat line, before Peoria quarterback Green scampered for a long run for a score to round out the third quarter.

The Community defense managed to keep the Lions at bay despite the score by Green. Back-up running back Cole Kretsinger finished the night off for the Ironmen with a catch from Beaty to score the sixth touchdown of the night.

Kyle Beaty was named the Lanz Underground Player of the Game after a four touchdown performance as the Ironmen won 40-18. He spoke with WJBC’s Eric Lapan after the game.

Community with the win moves to 8-1 to round out the regular season. Ironmen Head Coach Jason Drengwitz joined Lapan following the win.

IHSA playoff pairings will be released via IHSA.org Saturday at 8 p.m. The eight class bracket release will also be available for viewing on local television stations across Central Illinois.

Other final scores throughout Central Illinois in Week 9:

*(7-2) Normal West 64-0 Urbana (0-9)

*(7-2) Bloomington 35-20 Champaign Centennial (4-5)

*(7-2) U-High 70-6 Springfield Lanphier (0-9)

(5-4) Prairie Central 20-14 Central Catholic (5-4)

*(6-4) Jacksonville 51-21 Lincoln (4-5)

(3-6) Heyworth 34-30 Fieldcrest (1-8)

*(9-0) LeRoy 55-0 Fisher (2-7)

*(8-1) Tri-Valley 69-6 Tremont (0-9)

*(8-1) Eureka 27-0 Shelbyville *(6-3)

*(6-3) El-Paso Gridley 21-14 Clinton (4-5)

*(6-3) Olympia 66-44 Auburn (2-7)

(1-8) Pontiac 20-14 Civic Memorial (2-7)

*(8-1) GCMS 43-7 Central A&M (5-4)

(5-4) Dee-Mack 30-8 Ridgeview/Lexington (2-7)

Teams labeled with an asterisk have clinched a spot in the 2024 playoffs. Five win teams are playoff eligible, and have no guarantee of making a postseason berth.

The High School Football Extravaganza is sponsored by CEFCU.

Jake Fogal can be reached at Jacob.Fogal@Cumulus.com.