Total Solar Eclipse
Capitol News Illinois student photographers were on the scene in southern Illinois to capture the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Photography by Lylee Gibbs and Dominique Martinez-Powell.
Visit our Facebook page to see our full Total Solar Eclipse photo albulm.
Read More: ‘The great show in the sky’: Solar eclipse will once again drive Illinois tourism
Hontas Farmer, a professor at the College of DuPage, looks at her solar telescope to broadcast the eclipse April 8, 2024 in Makanda, Illinois. Farmer spent the 2017 eclipse in nearly the same location with her telescope. “Seven years ago I was right here, pretty much this exact spot for the last eclipse,” Farmer said. “How many people are gonna get to see an eclipse from the same place twice. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.” (Capitol News Illinois photo by Lylee Gibbs)
Catherine Marsh of Minnesota looks up towards the sun wearing solar glasses just moments before totality April 8, 2024 in Makanda, Illinois. Marsh traveled all the way from Minnesota to Makanda in order to view the eclipse. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Lylee Gibbs)
Jim Blair stands with SIU live saluki mascots, Jafar and Ari April 8, 2024 at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Dominique Martinez-Powell)
Carbondale native Kathryn King looks up towards the sun as the solar eclipse nears totality April 8, 2024 in Makanda, Illinois. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Lylee Gibbs)
Katie and Fred Ing of Georgia sit in lawn chairs in front of the Makanda boardwalk to watch the solar eclipse as it nears totality April 8, 2024 in Makanda, Illinois. The pair traveled all the way from Georgia and chose Makanda as their second viewing location after seeing the 2017 eclipse in South Carolina. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Lylee Gibbs)
Makanda residents and visitors from all over gather in front of the boardwalk to watch and take pictures of the solar eclipse totality April 8, 2024 in Makanda, Illinois. Makanda, a small town in southern Illinois home to nearly 600, saw both the 2017 and 2024 eclipse and served as ‘America’s Eclipse Crossroads’. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Lylee Gibbs)
Individuals from Heartland Community College get ready to release an observation balloon into the sky April 8, 2024 at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Dominique Martinez-Powell)
People look up at the sky minutes before totality hits during the Southern Illinois Crossroads Eclipse Festival April 8, 2024 at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Dominique Martinez-Powell)
An orange painted line crosses over a yellow spray-painted line of moon phases to signify the cross-over of the eclipse totality paths April 8, 2024 in Makanda, Illinois. The orange line represents the 2024 path while the yellow line represents the 2017 path. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Lylee Gibbs)
Pam Bladdick stares up at the eclipse moments before totality starts April 8, 2024 at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Dominique Martinez-Powell)
Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of print and broadcast outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association.
Local News
Rush rips USDA over plight of black farmers
Spread the love‘House is on fire,’ congressman says From staff reports U.S. Rep. Bobby L. Rush (D-1st) recently questioned U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack about what Rush called “the dire prognosis of black farmers in the U.S. and the steps USDA is taking to help minority farmers.” “As you well know, our nation’s…
Charge man with Archer Heights carjacking
Spread the loveBy Tim Hadac Police say they’ve solved a carjacking that occurred in Archer Heights earlier this month. An 18-year-old Southeast Side man was charged with aggravated vehicular hijacking in connection with the crime. Monte Handley, of the 9000 block of South Muskegon, was apprehended by police in the 7500 block of South Ellis…
Charge man in shooting of 2
Spread the loveBy Tim Hadac A 22-year-old West Lawn man was charged with two counts of aggravated battery, as well as aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, after he was arrested in the 3700 block of West Marquette Road at 4:06 p.m. Monday, Jan. 17. Isaiah Barco allegedly shot two men in a crime that…
Many crimes down in Orland, but weapons arrests concerning
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Orland Park Police Chief Joseph Mitchell had mostly good news when revealing the village’s 2021 crime statistics. But one glaring area that has him bothered is the number of unlawful use of a weapon arrests that have been shooting up. Mitchell and Mayor Keith Pekau attribute it to felons from…
Former GOP allies to battle for county board race
Spread the loveGorman wants to reclaim seat from Morrison By Bob Bong A battle royale is brewing in the race for the Republican nomination for Cook County Board’s 17th District. The 17th District is one of only two county board seats held by Republicans and it has only ever had a Republican commissioner dating back…
Palos Park inches closer to gaming solution
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Signs are pointing to the fact there probably will be limited video gaming in Palos Park. Mayor John Mahoney and the village council rejiggered a few things with an ordinance and some of the village codes and the end result is that Monday they asked village attorneys to look into…
Police reports
Spread the loveShot in the head, killed on Archer A 33-year-old man was shot in the head and killed as he drove a vehicle in the 4200 block of South Archer at 5:13 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 22. The victim was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 5:47 a.m. Police said…
Tabares backs West Lawn Branch Library
Spread the love Twenty-third Ward Ald. Silvana Tabares (left) recently toured the renovated West Lawn Branch Library, 4020 W. 63rd St.,, with new branch manager Mina Duarte. Details about the renovation’s may be found in the West Lawn column in the January 28 Greater Southwest News-Herald. –Supplied photo
Neighbors
Boys Volleyball | Sandburg seeks 26th regional title
Spread the loveBy Randy Whalen Correspondent Coming off the worst season in program history in 2023, Sandburg was not going to settle for anything less than better results this year. Past the midway point of this season, however, the Eagles had a record of 11-8. But they closed the regular season strong, winning 11 of…
Baseball | Red-hot Reavis looks to make noise in postseason
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent Reavis is determined to send their head coach Don Erickson into retirement on a high note and will head into the postseason red hot and as South Suburban Red champions. The Rams defeated Oak Lawn 3-0 for the second straight day on May 15 to clinch the conference title.…
Sports Bits | Rice boats at Carlyle Lake, Hawkeye DB and Do It Stevie’s Way
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Noteworthy sports briefs from May 12-19 • Brother Rice’s No. 1 boat of Joe Hall and Joe Judeh took 31st in the state bass fishing tournament, which wrapped up on May 18 at Carlyle Lake. The Crusaders had a two-day haul of 7 pounds, 12 ounces. The Crusaders’ No.…
Nothing NU at SeatGeek
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent There was speculation that because of the renovations being done at Ryan Field, Northwestern would schedule a few football games at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview this fall. The Wildcats announced their schedule and no home games are listed at SeatGeek, but the situation is still fluid. They are opting…
College Softball | Close losses at nationals end Saint Xavier’s season
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The Saint Xavier softball team played three nailbiters in the opening round of the NAIA Tournament. But the end result was a 1-2 record to eliminate the Cougars from advancing. SXU (28-14) opened the tournament by nipping Bellevue (Nebraska), 5-4, in Sioux City, Iowa on May 13. Alexus Reese…
Red Stars’ Naeher misses loss to Gotham
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The world’s best kept secret is still a mystery. The Chicago Red Stars are not releasing information to the public about the severity of a thigh injury or the status of world-class goalie Alyssa Naeher. What is known is that she did not play in a 2-1 loss to…
Summer calendar filling up quickly
Spread the love. By Patti Tyznik Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (708) 496-0265 • ptyznik@gmail.com . Summer is rapidly approaching, and the neighborhood is geared up for lots of great summer fun and activities. The Midway Chamber of Commerce’s farmer’s market will be opening on Wednesdays at the end of May through September…
Shepard’s Kyla Motley cruises to two medals at girls state track finals
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Shepard junior Kyla Motley medaled in two events in the Class 3A girls state track and field meet, the finals for which were held May 18 at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. Motley finished fourth in the long jump with a leap of 18 feet, 4 inches. She finished…
Boys Tennis | Lyons’ Jack McLane and Mason Mazzone win sectional doubles title
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The area produced a handful of boys tennis state qualifiers, but only one entry is headed to state as a sectional champion. At the Class 2A Lyons Sectional, the Lions’ Jack McLane and Mason Mazzone were doubles champs. The state meet opens May 23 at various sites in the…
Water Polo | Lyons boys win third state title; girls finish 3rd
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The best matchup of the IHSA boys water polo state tournament was arguably in the quarterfinals. That battle between Lyons and New Trier could have been considered the real state championship match. But no matter what, the Lions are state champions. Heading into the postseason, Lyons had just three…