Mike White, former Cal, Illinois and Raiders coach, dies at 89
White had a successful career coaching the Illini to the Rose Bowl following the 1983 season.
217 Today: Declining attendance & rising maintenance costs bring an end to a historic church building in Champaign
In today’s deep dive, as church attendance declines in the U.S., some congregations are finding it difficult to maintain their historic buildings.
Weather related closings, delays and e-learning days for Monday, December 15
Dangerous cold persists through Sunday night across central IL, with wind chills as cold as 12 to 22 degrees below zero at times north of I-70.
Dangerous cold continues in east central Illinois, Blowing snow is expected on Monday
Areas of blowing and drifting snow are possible late tonight into early Monday afternoon.
Affable comedy acting legend Dick Van Dyke turns 100 years old
Van Dyke was born in West Plains, Missouri, in 1925, and grew up “the class clown” in Danville, Illinois, while admiring and imitating the silent film comedians.
Jamarques Lawrence’s buzzer-beater gives No. 23 Nebraska an 83-80 win over No. 13 Illinois
CHAMPAIGN — Jamarques Lawrence hit a 3-point shot with less than a second remaining Saturday to give No. 23 Nebraska
At least 2 killed and 8 hurt in shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island
The Ivy League school in Providence, Rhode Island, issued an active shooter alert and urged students and staff to take shelter Saturday, the second day of final exams.
Weather related closings for Saturday, December 13
The National Weather Service forecasted 2 to 6 inches of snow north of I-70 in central Illinois.
217 Today: Advocates for Aging Care pushes for solutions as Champaign County faces skilled nursing bed shortage
In today’s deep dive, Champaign County has one of the worst skilled nursing care shortages in the state. It means sometimes, people have to drive hours to see their loved ones.
New laws: Gun storage, police background check changes take effect in 2026
Gun owners in Illinois must take new steps in 2026 to secure their firearms in their homes, particularly when children are present.
Advocates for Aging Care pushes for solutions as Champaign County faces skilled nursing bed shortage
Champaign County has one of the worst skilled nursing care shortages in the state. It means people often have to drive hours to see their loved ones. A local advocacy group is working to address the shortage.
Competing health care plans fail in the Senate as ACA premium hikes loom
Both bills needed 60 votes to advance, but neither succeeded.
Panel looking at murder of Sonya Massey by sheriff’s deputy recommends police reforms
Sontae Massey, Sonya’s cousin, served on the commission and told the Sangamon County Board this week that the steps laid out in their report aren’t just recommendations.
Petition objection derails campaign for Rep. Eric Sorensen’s primary opponent
Democrat Montez Soliz of Rockford posted on social media that he has been removed from the ballot in the Illinois’ 17th Congressional District race following an objection to his petitions.
217 Today: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Dec. 11 – Dec. 14
In today’s deep dive, we’ll hear what’s coming to the central Illinois area in the world of arts, culture, and entertainment.
Youth substance abuse prevention program looks to athletes to spread the word
A youth substance misuse prevention program from the Illinois Association for Behavioral Health [IABH] has partnered with the Illinois High School Association [IHSA] and IESA to expand outreach efforts.
Improved natural gas storage fields will save customers money, Ameren Illinois says
Buried in the rate request that Illinois regulators cut last month from nearly $129 million to $73 million is the final phase of Ameren’s modernization efforts for its natural gas storage field just south of Freeburg.
University of Illinois student officials worry about losing self-governing power
Student officials at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign say administrators have changed their election rules without their input.
Keep up with news in Central Illinois every weekday with 217 Today. Hear the day's headlines, along with one deeper dive, in just ten minutes. Learn about the people and places that make Central Illinois unique with 217 Today.
