The local desk
Verified reporting for Benton and Franklin County
The Benton Record covers local news as it happens across Benton, Illinois, and greater Franklin County. Our reporters attend public meetings, check the public record, and talk with the residents those decisions affect.
Every story is written to be read in print and online, with the facts placed first and the context that a neighbor would need to understand what happened.
Coverage areas
Civic life, close to home
Board meetings
Public bodies, in plain view
We report city council actions, school board votes, and county proceedings so residents can follow decisions that shape their taxes, schools, and streets. Agendas, votes, and the reasoning behind them are explained in clear language.
Human interest
The people behind the news
Neighborhood initiatives, local business owners, and volunteers across Franklin County give this paper its stories. We take time with ordinary people doing worthwhile things, because those stories say a great deal about where we live.
Have a meeting notice or a story to share?
Send us verified news tips, community events, and public notices. Our editors review every submission.