If you’ve lived in Central Illinois for more than a minute, you know the drill. You wake up, maybe grab a coffee at a local spot like Custom Cup, and check to see if the weather is going to ruin your afternoon plans. For a huge chunk of folks in the capital city, that check-in happens with channel 20 news in springfield illinois. It’s basically been the background noise of our living rooms since the 1950s. Honestly, in an era where everyone is glued to TikTok or national news cycles that feel like they’re screaming at you, there’s something weirdly comforting about a local broadcast that actually knows where Mechanicsburg is.
But things have changed. A lot.
Recently, the station—known officially by its call letters WICS—went through a bit of an identity shift. For years, everyone associated it with Sinclair Broadcast Group. It was the "Sinclair station." Then, in mid-2025, a massive ownership transition shook things up. Rincon Broadcasting Group stepped in. If you noticed some programming shifts—like the return of Jimmy Kimmel Live! after a weird blackout period—that’s why. Even with new owners, the building on East Cook Street remains the nerve center for ABC news in the region.
The Weird History of Channel 20
WICS didn't just appear out of nowhere. It signed on back in September 1953. Back then, it was a "primary" NBC affiliate, but it basically aired whatever it could get its hands on. We're talking CBS, ABC, and even the now-extinct DuMont network. Imagine trying to keep that schedule straight. Eventually, it settled into the ABC groove we know today, but it’s always had this "regional network" vibe because it’s paired with WICD in Champaign.
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One of the coolest things about the station is its "alumni" list. You might see a face on the national news and think, "Wait, I know them." Sheinelle Jones, who is now a powerhouse on NBC’s TODAY show, started her broadcast career right here in Springfield at WICS. It's kinda wild to think that the person interviewing Hollywood A-listers was once reporting on local school board meetings in Sangamon County.
Who’s Running the Show Now?
The newsroom has seen a lot of turnover lately, which is pretty standard for local TV. Just this past July, the station brought on Carly Siegel as a weekend anchor and multimedia journalist. She’s an Illinois native, which honestly makes a difference. People can tell when a reporter doesn't know how to pronounce "Chatham" or "Loami."
Then you have the staples. The weather team is usually the part people care about most, especially during tornado season. They run this program called the 3 Degree Weather Guarantee. It’s a partnership with Green Family Stores. Basically, if the meteorologist predicts the high temperature correctly within three degrees, a hundred bucks goes to a local charity. It's a small thing, but it’s one of those local touches that keeps people tuned in.
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Is Local TV Actually Dying?
You’ll hear people say local news is a dinosaur. They aren't entirely wrong, but they aren't totally right either.
Digital is where the battle is happening now. The channel 20 news in springfield illinois team has had to pivot hard toward their app and social media. People don't wait for the 6:00 PM broadcast anymore; they want the push notification the second there’s a wreck on I-55.
What People Actually Look For
- Breaking News: Obviously. Fire, crime, and local politics.
- Weather: The "3 Degree" thing is a draw, but the live radar is the real utility.
- High School Sports: This is where local TV still wins. National outlets don't care about the Rochester vs. Sacred Heart-Griffin game, but WICS does.
The station also shares services with FOX Illinois (WRSP) and the local CW affiliate (WBUI). This "shared services" model is a bit controversial in the industry. Critics say it shrinks the number of unique voices in a market. Proponents say it's the only way local news stays profitable enough to exist. It’s a trade-off. You get more resources, but sometimes the coverage feels a bit homogenized across different channels.
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How to Get the Most Out of WICS 20
If you're actually trying to stay informed without sitting through twenty minutes of commercials, you've gotta be smart about how you consume it.
First, the app is non-negotiable for weather. The "Capitol City Now" brand is where a lot of their web content lives these days. Second, if you have a story that actually matters—like a local charity event or a massive pothole that the city is ignoring—don't just tweet at them. Call the newsroom or use their "Report It" feature. Local reporters are usually starving for good "real people" stories that aren't just handed to them by a police scanner.
Pro-Tips for Local News Fans:
- Follow individual reporters on X (Twitter). They often post updates and behind-the-scenes stuff long before it hits the teleprompter.
- Watch the morning show. If you want the "vibe" of the city, the morning crew is usually much more loose and conversational than the 10:00 PM anchors.
- Check the schedule. Since the Rincon takeover, some syndicated shows have shifted. Make sure your DVR isn't still looking for shows that moved.
At the end of the day, channel 20 news in springfield illinois is a reflection of the city itself: a bit old-school, occasionally struggling to keep up with the times, but fundamentally essential to knowing what's happening in your own backyard. Whether it’s an update on the latest State Fair lineup or a serious deep-dive into the state budget, having eyes on the ground in Springfield is something we shouldn't take for granted.
To stay ahead of local events, set up a custom alert on the NewsChannel 20 app specifically for "Sangamon County" notifications. This filters out the national noise and ensures you only get buzzed for things that actually impact your commute or your neighborhood. If you've got a lead on a local story, emailing the news desk directly at their East Cook Street office address is still the most reliable way to get a producer’s attention.