Metros continue to lose population
Illinois suffered population loss among all eight Illinois-based metro areas and 87 of Illinois’ 102 counties. The Illinois Policy Institute reports Chicago’s population loss accounted for approximately 50% of the state’s total decline of nearly 33,000 residents in 2023.
In addition to Chicago, metro areas including Decatur, Springfield and Bloomington showed steep declines relative to the size of their population. Data shows residents are leaving for states with lower taxation, including Florida, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa and Texas.
Illinois is the only state among its neighbors to suffer population loss.
Drug bust in Springfield
A Springfield man is facing drug charges after police said they found $45,000 worth of cocaine in his possession following a traffic stop.
The Springfield Police Department reports after Selley Tullison was taken into custody after a traffic stop, two search warrants netted one-and-a-half pounds of cocaine, ammunition and $2,600 in cash.
Trout season to open
The 2024 Illinois spring trout fishing season will open Saturday, April 6 at 58 ponds, lakes, and streams throughout the state. The daily harvest limit for each angler is five trout.
An early opportunity at select trout sites is the spring catch-and-release fishing season, which will open Saturday, March 23. No trout may be kept during the catch-and-release period. Anyone attempting to harvest trout before the legal harvest season opening will be issued citations.
