Marcus Chen

Managing Editor · St. Paul, MN

Marcus manages the day-to-day editorial workflow across all brands, coordinating coverage assignments and ensuring editorial standards are met. He previously served as city editor at the Pioneer Press and holds a degree in Political Science from Carleton College.

13 stories from Marcus Chen in Springfield

Schools•6h

Illinois sales tax holiday saved families more than $11M

An Illinois sales tax holiday saved families an estimated $11.4 million during the 2026 back-to-school season.

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Government•7h

Mahomet board seeking approval on letter supporting Aquifer Protection Act

MAHOMET, Ill. (WCIA) -- A resolution to increase protections for the Mahomet Aquifer will be set before the Village President for approval at Tuesday night's board meeting. Specifically, the agenda item is aiming for the authorization from Village President Jason S. Tompkins to sign a letter to...

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Business•10h

Why one Vermilion Co. city is putting holiday decorations up in October

DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) -- There might be some sporadic road closures this week in downtown Danville as public works crews put up holiday decorations. The city took to social media to explain the decision, noting that setting up for the holidays often takes two to three weeks. The post added that the...

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Community•10h

$1M U of I project on water quality, farm economy takes a local approach to a bigger issue

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) -- A research project at the U of I aiming to prevent algal blooms in the Gulf of Mexico while boosting farm economies has received nearly $1 million from the EPA. The Illinois Water Recycling for Gulf Nutrient Reduction Project is taking a local approach to the issue, before...

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Community•Yesterday

Urbana Police make DUI arrest while investigating overnight shots fired case

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) -- No one was hurt after an occupied car in Urbana was shot at Sunday night. In addition, a man is facing a DUI charge after police said he drove through the crime tape surrounding the scene. The incidents happened in the area of Broadway and Kerr Avenues. Lieutenant David...

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Community•Yesterday

Clayton named B1G Freshman of the Week

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) -- After his first collegiate start in the win over Oregon, Illinois quarterback Michael Clayton II was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week. Clayton stepped in on the road against Michigan State after Katin Houser went down with injury, going 6-for-8 for 88 yards and two...

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Community•Yesterday

Decatur man sentenced to prison for illegally possessing a gun

VERMILION COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) -- A Decatur man pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a decade in prison for illegally having a gun. 31-year-old Dillon Cagle pleaded guilty on Oct. 23 to unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, which is a Class 2 felony. Prosecutors said two months earlier -- on...

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Community•Yesterday

Gas prices rise again after regional refinery issue, GasBuddy reports

CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) -- Just one week after seeing a drop, Illinois' average gas prices were sent back up in the last week, continuing a roller coaster ride that's been happening since July. GasBuddy released its weekly report on gas prices Monday morning. The fuel savings platform reported that...

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Dining•Yesterday

Fire at Beef House Restaurant 'contained quickly'; some fire, smoke, water damage reported

COVINGTON, Ind. (WCIA) -- Crews responded to a fire at the Beef House Restaurant Monday morning. Firefighters from the Danville Fire Department as well as the Perrysville and Cayuga Volunteer Fire Departments were called out to the scene around 9:45 a.m. David Freeman, a captain with the...

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Community•Yesterday

Teenager arrested after shots fired at Urbana house over weekend

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) -- A teenager is under arrest after Urbana Police said he fired shots at a home over the weekend. No injuries were reported. The shots-fired incident happened in the area of Linview Avenue and Sunset Drive. Lieutenant David Roesch said in a news release that officers responded...

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Community•Yesterday

How much have home prices increased in Illinois over 5 years?

If you're looking to buy a home in Missouri or Illinois, chances are you'll pay quite a bit more than you would have five years ago.

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Community•Yesterday

Champaign County Crime Stoppers seeking tips on car burglary strings

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) -- Champaign County Crime Stoppers is seeking tips from the public that can help law enforcement solve three different strings of car burglaries. Officials said that in each string, the suspects are targeting unlocked cars or detached garages. In one string, suspects...

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Dining•Yesterday

Downstate Illinois man in custody for mailing suspicious letters to Schakowsky and other area representatives

A downstate man was charged in federal court Monday with sending threatening letters to members of Congress in the Chicago area, including one that U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-9th District), a longtime Evanston resident, said was sent to her Skokie office. Matthew Unglesbee, 37, of Quincy,...

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