1. Home
  2. Topics
  3. Illinois News

Best Illinois News Apps

217+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.6 avg rating
20 free apps
Updated July 2026

Looking for free illinois news apps? 20 of our 217+ tracked titles are free to download — no subscription, no trial. The rest are premium picks worth paying for.

Compare top Illinois News Apps (July 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1ABC7 Chicago News & WeatherABC7 Chicago News & WeatherFree4.7★ (29K)YesNoAug 2026
2WGN News - ChicagoWGN News - ChicagoFree4.6★ (3.2K)YesNoJul 2026
3WEEK 25 NewsWEEK 25 NewsFree4.5★ (1.9K)YesNoAug 2026
4WCIA-3 News AppWCIA-3 News AppFree4.6★ (2.3K)YesNoAug 2026
5Chicago TribuneChicago TribuneFree4.4★ (18K)YesYesAug 2026
6The State Journal-RegisterThe State Journal-RegisterFree4.2★ (379)YesYesJul 2026
7KFVS12 - Heartland NewsKFVS12 - Heartland NewsFree4.4★ (4K)YesNoAug 2026
8AP NewsAP NewsFree4.6★ (359K)YesNoAug 2026

Top Picks for Illinois News

ABC7 Chicago News & Weather#1

ABC7 Chicago News & Weather by Disney

Breaking updates, local video
Editor's Choice
📡 News
4.7😐(29K ratings)
FreeAds
ABC7 Chicago News & Weather screenshot 1
ABC7 Chicago News & Weather screenshot 2
ABC7 Chicago News & Weather screenshot 3
ABC7 Chicago News & Weather screenshot 4
ABC7 Chicago News & Weather screenshot 5
ABC7 Chicago News & Weather screenshot 6

Access breaking news alerts and watch live local broadcasts. Stay informed with local and national news updates, detailed weather forecasts, and customizable news feeds. Enjoy live video streams and picture-in-picture viewing for a comprehensive news experience.

What We Love

  • 👍 Informative news content
  • 🚀 Easy to navigate app
  • 💡 Helpful weather and traffic updates
  • 🔍 Comprehensive local news coverage

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Frequent app crashes
  • 🔇 Automatic video playback with no volume control
  • 💤 Outdated or missing news stories
WGN News - Chicago#2

WGN News - Chicago by Tribune Broadcasting Company

Strong Contender
📡 News
4.6😞(3.2K ratings)
FreeAds
WGN News - Chicago screenshot 1
WGN News - Chicago screenshot 2

Stay informed with local news and breaking updates from Chicago. Access top stories, watch live newscasts, and get detailed weather forecasts. Receive real-time notifications for important events in your community.

What We Love

  • 👍 Entertaining and informative news team
  • 🚀 Convenient live streaming
  • 💡 Useful weather and breaking news alerts

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezing issues
  • 🔍 Difficulty navigating and finding content
  • 📺 Live stream playback problems
WEEK 25 News#3

WEEK 25 News by Gray Television Group, Inc.

Worth Considering
📡 News
4.5😞(1.9K ratings)
FreeAds
WEEK 25 News screenshot 1
WEEK 25 News screenshot 2
WEEK 25 News screenshot 3

Stay informed with the latest news headlines and discover local events happening in your community. This app delivers breaking news and community updates, powered by a trusted local news source.

What We Love

  • 📰 Provides local news coverage
  • 🔍 Newsworthy information

Room to Improve

  • 🚨 Too many ads/commercials
  • 🔍 Lacks innovative formatting
  • 🐛 Crashes frequently

More Illinois News apps to explore

4
WCIA-3 News App
WCIA-3 News App
WCIA-3 News App
by Nexstar Broadcasting
Free

Stay informed with local news and developing stories from your community. Access top stories, weather forecasts, and sports updates directly on your mobile device. Get breaking news alerts and save articles for later.

Top local news storiesReal-time developing storiesDetailed weather reports
📡 News
(2.3K)
ad-supported
5
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
Your source for Chicago news
Free

Access essential Chicago news, sports, business, and entertainment coverage. Customize your feed, receive breaking news alerts, and enjoy exclusive content like videos and photo galleries. Save articles for later and read offline.

Personalized news feedBreaking news notificationsExclusive videos and photo galleries
📡 News
(18K)
subscription
6
The State Journal-Register
The State Journal-Register
The State Journal-Register
Breaking News + eNewspaper
Free

Stay informed with local news, in-depth journalism, and multimedia content. Receive real-time alerts for breaking news, sports scores, and weather. Customize your reading experience and access a digital replica of the print edition.

In-depth local journalismBreaking news alertsSports scores and weather updates
📡 News
(379)
free with in-app purchases
7
KFVS12 - Heartland News
KFVS12 - Heartland News
KFVS12 - Heartland News
by Gray Television Group, Inc.
Free

Stay informed with local news coverage from southeast Missouri, southern Illinois, western Kentucky, and northwest Tennessee. Receive breaking news alerts, access live headlines, and enjoy sports and video content.

Breaking news alertsLive, local news headlinesSports coverage
📡 News
(4K)
ad-supported
8
AP News
AP News
AP News
Breaking World & Local News
Free

Get breaking world and local news, along with trending headlines. This app offers a personalized news feed, custom alerts, and in-depth content hubs for major events. Access award-winning photos, videos, and articles.

Breaking news updatesLocal news coveragePersonalized news feed
📡 News
(359K)
ad-supported
9
WQAD News 8 Quad Cities
WQAD News 8 Quad Cities
WQAD News 8 Quad Cities
Breaking news, weather & video
Free

Get breaking news, interactive weather forecasts, and live video updates for the Quad Cities area. Receive real-time notifications, explore investigative stories, and personalize your news feed. Stay informed about local events, school delays, and severe weather alerts.

Breaking news notificationsInteractive weather radarLive video newscasts
📡 News
(4.8K)
free with in-app purchases
10
Shaw Local News
Shaw Local News
Shaw Local News
No. 1 In Northern Illinois
Free

Access the latest local and regional news for Northern Illinois. Customize your feed to see only the information you care about, and receive alerts for breaking news. Enjoy exclusive coverage of the Chicago Bears and high school football.

Local and regional news updatesCustomizable news feedNews alerts for breaking events
📡 News
(302)
ad-supported
11
14 NEWS WFIE
14 NEWS WFIE
14 NEWS WFIE
by Gray Television Group, Inc.
Free

Get local news coverage for the Tri-State area, including breaking news alerts, live stories, sports updates, and video content. Customize your experience with location-based content and personalized ads.

Breaking news alertsLive local news storiesTriState Headlines
📡 News
(5.9K)
ad-supported
12
NBC 5 Chicago: News & Weather
NBC 5 Chicago: News & Weather
NBC 5 Chicago: News & Weather
Local Alerts, Radar & Live TV
Free

Stay informed with local news and weather updates for Chicago and Illinois. Get breaking news alerts, detailed forecasts, live radar, and 24/7 streaming news coverage. Customize alerts and access a variety of local content.

Breaking news alertsCustomizable weather home screenLive Doppler 5 weather radar
📡 News
(2K)
free with in-app purchases
13
News 3 WSIL TV
News 3 WSIL TV
News 3 WSIL TV
by Allen Media Broadcasting, LLC
Free

Get local news, weather forecasts, and sports updates for southern Illinois and surrounding regions. Stay informed with comprehensive coverage from your trusted local news source.

Local news coverageWeather forecastsSports updates
📡 News
(483)
ad-supported
14
Daily Herald Latest News
Daily Herald Latest News
Daily Herald Latest News
Chicago Suburbs News & Sports
Free

Access breaking news, in-depth sports coverage, and lifestyle updates from Chicago's suburbs. Stay informed with local politics, obituaries, and event listings. Share stories easily via email and social media.

Local news from Chicago suburbsPro and prep sports coverageWeather and business updates
📡 News
(166)
free with in-app purchases
15
Belleville News-Democrat | IL
Belleville News-Democrat | IL
Belleville News-Democrat | IL
Watch local news and sports
Free

Access daily local news, investigative reporting, and national headlines. Watch live video coverage of local events and sports. Personalize your news feed with favorite topics and bookmark articles for later.

Daily local news and storiesAI-generated article summariesLive video news coverage
📡 News
(873)
free with in-app purchases
16
Illinois Lottery
Illinois Lottery
Illinois Lottery
+ Powerball & Mega Millions
Free

Stay updated with the latest Illinois lottery results, including Powerball and Mega Millions. Check your tickets, receive custom notifications for jackpots and prize breakdowns, and access a results archive. Includes a random number generator for easy number selection.

Latest lottery resultsPrize breakdownsTicket checker
🎬 Entertainment
(1.5K)
free with in-app purchases
17
WSB-TV News
WSB-TV News
WSB-TV News
by Cox Media Group
Free

Stay informed with 24/7 local news coverage for North Georgia. Access breaking stories, in-depth investigations, on-demand videos, and live newscasts. Track local weather, traffic, and sports, and get national news with a Georgia focus.

Local news coverage for North Georgia countiesLive drive times in Atlanta Metro AreaStormTracker 2 HD radar and 5-day forecast
📡 News
(48K)
ad-supported
18
St. Louis News from KSDK
St. Louis News from KSDK
St. Louis News from KSDK
Breaking news, weather & video
Free

Get breaking news, interactive weather forecasts, and live video updates for the St. Louis area. Receive real-time notifications, explore investigative stories, and personalize your news feed with topics that matter most to you.

Breaking news notificationsInteractive weather radarLive video newscasts
📡 News
(34K)
free with in-app purchases
19
MyStateline Eyewitness News
MyStateline Eyewitness News
MyStateline Eyewitness News
by Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.
Free

Get the latest local news, weather, and sports for Rockford, Illinois, directly on your mobile device. Stay informed with real-time updates, video reports from trusted journalists, and detailed weather forecasts with interactive radar.

Top local news storiesReal-time developing storiesVideo reports from reporters
📡 News
(784)
ad-supported
20
Atlanta News from 11Alive
Atlanta News from 11Alive
Atlanta News from 11Alive
Breaking news & video
Free

Get breaking news, weather forecasts, and live video updates from the Atlanta area. This app provides real-time alerts, personalized news feeds, and in-depth local reporting. Stay informed with interactive weather maps and exclusive mobile video content.

Breaking news alertsPersonalized news feedLive newscasts
📡 News
(19K)
ad-supported

Looking for something similar to illinois news?

Explore related topics

illinois

FAQ about Illinois News

What are the best illinois news apps for iPhone?
ABC7 Chicago News & Weather tops our illinois news apps ranking as of July 2026, with a 4.7-star average from 29K App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes — 20 of the top illinois news apps we rank are free to download, including ABC7 Chicago News & Weather and WGN News - Chicago.
ABC7 Chicago News & Weather shows ads and has no in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of July 2026.
We track 217+ illinois news apps on the iOS App Store as of July 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.
This app provides breaking news alerts, live local video streams of Eyewitness News, and detailed weather forecasts from AccuWeather. It allows users to stay updated on local and national news, browse by topic, and receive customized alerts.
Key features include watching Eyewitness News live on a 24/7 stream, accessing news videos, using a picture-in-picture mode for multitasking, searching for news stories, browsing by topic, getting hourly and 7-day weather forecasts, and receiving real-time weather and traffic alerts.