Gabrielle Franklin
WCIA News
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Past articles by Gabrielle:
IDPH: 1,941 new COVID-19 cases; 21 additional deaths
ILLINOIS (WCIA) — The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,941 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, including 21 additional deaths. In a release, officials said there are a total of 178,837 COVID-19 cases, including 7,495 deaths, across 102 Illinois counties. Within the past 24 hours, laboratories have reported 49,782 specimens for a total of 2,699,568. […] → Read More
IDPH: 965 new COVID-19 cases, six deaths confirmed
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — State health officials announced Sunday 965 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Illinois, along with six additional deaths. A press release from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) said in Cook County, two men in their 40s and a woman in her 90s have died. In St. Clair County, […] → Read More
Horace Mann helps area children during pandemic
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — One company based in the city is giving back to their community twice over. Horace Mann Insurance Company is making sure children in the city are fed during the pandemic. They are using a $60,000 grant to donate to two groups that are relying heavily on food services right now. The […] → Read More
Gift of Life honors Dave Benton and Robert Reese
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Give the Gift of Life with WCIA-3 News Wednesday, July 1, in memory of WCIA’s Dave Benton and Robert Reese. Each donor receives a gift card! It’s being held at multiple locations. Appointments are required. #WCIA #GiftOfLife → Read More
IDPH: 2,450 new COVID-19 cases; 105 additional deaths
ILLINOIS (WCIA) — The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has announced 2,450 new COVID-19 cases, including 105 additional deaths. Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 58,505 cases, including 2,559 deaths, in 97 counties in Illinois. The age of cases ranges from younger than one to older than 100 years. The Illinois Department of Veteran’s […] → Read More
Another performer coming to fair
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA)– The Champaign County Fair is expecting another big performer to hit the stage this summer. Billy Currington will perform at the fair July 24th. He’s a country music singer. Special guests are Randy Houser and Rayne Johnson. Last month it was announced The Beach Boys would perform. The Champaign County Fair Queen […] → Read More
Comprehensive plan for city
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA)– The City is planning for the future. It’s working on a comprehensive plan. It’s a reference point for what the city will use to guide development and growth over the next 10 to 15 years. The last time a plan was done was in 2005. The mayor says it will address issues […] → Read More
Lawmakers divided on how to relieve property taxes
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Lawmakers are still at odds over the best way to relieve property taxes in the state. House Republicans said a task force created to help solve the problem last year has been nothing short of a failure. They said now is the time for the group to start producing results. House […] → Read More
Educators, youth advocates support budget
ILLINOIS (WCIA) — If the graduated income tax proposal passes, Governor JB Pritzker has plans to help agencies dedicated to helping those who need it most. Local groups discuss what the upcoming year could mean for those they serve. While many are awaiting the results of this year’s election to see what the budget means […] → Read More
State Police leader announces support of FOID fingerprint bill
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — State Police made a big move surrounding FOID cards Thurday. The agency’s leader announced their support for the FOID fingerprint bill. You may remember this proposal from last year. The measure would require FOID applicants to submit their fingerprints to get a card. Lawmakers pushed for it after a gunman killed […] → Read More
Coach Carter encourages state workers and high school students
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The movie “Coach Carter” features the real-life story of a man who changed a school’s basketball program by demanding integrity from his players. Monday, he took his message on the road and made a stop in central Illinois. Coach Ken Carter stopped by the Illinois Department of Transportation, but not to […] → Read More
Justice Robert Thomas to retire at end of February
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — One of the state’s Supreme Court justices said he is retiring. Justice Robert Thomas will step down at the end of the month. He was the first chief justice from DuPage County when he was elected in 2005. Under the Constitution, the Supreme Court has authority to fill interim vacancies. Appellate […] → Read More
Woman donates millions to opera house
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — One group is feeling the generosity of one woman. Phyllis Brissenden left $45 million to a St. Louis opera theater in her will. She passed away in December. She did not have any children and her husband died in 1986. Friends said Brissenden loved the arts and traveled the world taking […] → Read More
Watchdogs want change from lawmakers
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Statehouse watchdogs got their day to tell lawmakers what needs to change. The past three members to hold the Legislative Inspector General (LIG) role at the Capitol presented their ideas for reform Thursday. Lawmakers listened and questioned suggestions for hours. However, some of those suggestions seemed to fall flat with those […] → Read More
Frank & Cinda Edwards laid to rest
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Two of three people killed in a plane crash last week were laid to rest Tuesday. Funeral services for Frank and Cinda Edwards were held Tuesday afternoon. Frank was the former mayor of Springfield. Cinda was the Sangamon County Coroner. People lined the streets of downtown Springfield to say goodbye. Firefighters, […] → Read More
Bill calls to eliminate giving animals as prizes
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — There is a push at the Statehouse to stop carnivals from giving out pets as prizes. Bill supporters say they understand winning animals can be fun for kids, but it can be dangerous for the animals. Right now, the bill’s language only calls to eliminate the prizes from carnivals, but an […] → Read More
Underage voters almost registered
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Thousands of underage voters were almost registered to vote. This comes after hundreds of people who marked they were not U.S. citizens were registered. The State Board of Elections said they blocked nearly 5,000 applications. The Secretary’s Office said it sent over application information from 16-year-olds electronically. The information from the […] → Read More
State Police respond to crash
EDGAR COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — State Police are on the scene of a single car crash with injuries on Route 49 just north of Brocton. In a news release, Sergeant Nicholas Orndorff said southbound traffic is being diverted off Route 49 at Edgar CR 1800N. Northbound traffic is being diverted at Edgar CR 1700N. He […] → Read More
Illinois users could get money from Facebook
ILLINOIS (WCIA) — If you use Facebook and live in Illinois, you may have some money coming to you. Facebook has agreed to pay $550 million to settle a 5-year-old class action lawsuit over privacy. Users say Facebook’s facial recognition tagging feature violated a state law protecting biometric information. That can include data from facial, […] → Read More
Community remembers plane crash victims
SANGAMON COUNTY (WCIA) — People who knew the victims Tuesday night’s plane crash near Springfield are reacting to news of the tragedy. All three were beloved members of the community. Though their lives were cut short — people close to them say the fond memories of them will live on forever. People in Sangamon County […] → Read More