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Macomb is on the verge of having its courthouse square declared a national historic district.

The Illinois Historic Sites Advisory Council has recommended the designation to the federal government, which almost always follows the state panel’s suggestion.

However, Mayor Mike Inman said the city won’t begin preparing signs or making plans just yet.

Inman believes it will be 60 to 90 days before the city learns of the federal government’s decision.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has revoked a permit for a proposed coal mine just north of Canton in Fulton County.

The DNR had issued a mining permit for the “North Canton Mine” several years ago but the agency has now decided it did not follow its own guidelines when doing so.

A proposal to help Burlington’s budget could have a negative impact on its neighbors.

Illinois is buying 410 acres of land in Pike County and plans to convert it into public hunting grounds.

Governor Pat Quinn said the acquisition is part of the purchase of four sites across the state.

“Our state does not have vast areas of wilderness like some states in the west. We have pockets of wilderness, pockets of nature. And we have to really work very hard, together, to preserve and expand those pockets,” said Quinn.

The four parcels cost the state $2.8 million dollars. The money comes from the "Illinois Jobs Now" capital construction program.