illinois news January 2, 2024 2:16 pm Illinois family celebrates one baby born on New Year's Day, with an older sister born on NYE Pearl Noelle Hodge, weighing in at 7 pounds, 5 ounces, was born at 5:28 a.m. on Jan. 1. Three years ago, an older sister was born on New Year’s Eve. Local 1:04 Chicagoans can ride Amtrak's new ‘Floridian' line to Florida this fall 1:18 Midwest is best: This city has the best ‘Quality of Life' in US according to new ranking 1:09 18 Illinois schools named 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools by U.S. Department of Education 1:22 Illinois colleges shine in U.S. News 2025 ‘Best Colleges' ranking 2:06 White Sox on verge of MLB infamy: Worst team in modern history