This Illinois law was supposed to help families. It’s failing them instead.
In 2024, Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Birth Equity Initiative to help prevent more women from dying, especially women of color. One key part of the law is broadening access to doulas.
This U of I environmental scientist hopes his research will help farmers build sustainable practices
Champaign County Board passes ban on NDAs regarding county business
The Champaign County Board passed an ordinance banning board members and county employees from signing non-disclosure agreements. The Board also passed a resolution banning property tax breaks for data center developers.
Some in central Illinois worry Medicaid cuts will reduce living options for seniors
States may spend less on home care as a result of upcoming federal cuts.
Aging farmers and the government want to save farms, but for many the cost is too high
A federal program promises to pay for farmland preservation. Few landowners are taking advantage.
Data centers will cost ComEd $3 billion but consumer groups worry Illinois households will be on the hook
The projected costs were revealed in expert testimony filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission, and it also showed the utility has only collected about $721 million in deposits from data center developers.
Whitfield Harrington Jr. seeks to bring Illinoisans back to the center as third party candidate for U.S. Senate
Whitfield Harrington Jr., a third party candidate running for the U.S. Senate, discusses foreign and domestic policy as well as finding the middle ground in American politics on the 21st Show.
American hay growers face triple whammy of drought, pests and high fuel costs
Farmers are cutting less hay this year due to persistent drought, the soaring price of fuel and a new pest. That’s driving up the cost for livestock producers, who often rely on hay to feed their animals during the winter.
America @ 250: Brian Cudiamat asks if anyone knows how to govern
Brian Cudiamat, a Filipino American, grew up in the Chicago suburbs. He came to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for school in 1996 and never left.
Businessman Larry Gies to become U of I’s largest donor after pledging $100 million towards business college
The new pledge is in addition to Gies’ $150 million donation to the business school in 2017 and a $100 million donation to the athletics department in 2025.
University of Illinois Senate plans to review Flock automated license plate reader contract
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has 20 automated license plate readers through Flock Safety. The University Senate resolved Monday to give the public more information about the contracts.
Stratton, Tracy clash over Trump, affordability in lone U.S. Senate forum
Stratton stuck to the unapologetically progressive message that helped her win the Democratic nomination against more moderate primary opponents earlier this year. Tracy, on the other hand, labeled Stratton as a tax-and-spend liberal and accused her of being a Democratic socialist “even though she won’t admit it.”
WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois October 22-25
Live music, an immersive art show, and an early Christmas open house are all happening in Central Illinois this weekend.
Cunningham and Champaign Township voters will weigh in on repeal of Illinois’ anti-BDS laws
The advisory question on the midterm ballots asks whether Illinois should repeal its law that prohibits the state pension fund from investing in companies that boycott Israel.
Urbana City Council appoints former park district board commissioner to represent Ward 6
The Urbana City Council appointed a successor for former Ward 6 Council Member Grace Wilken. The group also eliminated the mayor’s ability to vote in a certain committee meeting.
At the U of I’s Asian American Cultural Center, a traditional Indian art form gets its first showcase
Kuhu Shukla’s exhibition, “Not Mine Only Held,” uses Warli’s geometric patterns to explore emotion, belonging and culture. It’s on view at the Asian American Cultural Center through Dec. 11.
Free school lunch is no longer on the menu for many kids. It’s one of many strains on cafeterias
Schools in the U.S. serve almost 30 million lunches every day. But rising food costs, regulations and cuts to food assistance mean school kitchens have to do more with less.
Documents show state’s disaster request met FEMA’s threshold
A spokesperson for FEMA did not explain why Illinois’ request was denied and did not say if the agency conducted additional in-person damage assessments.
Hunting and foraging classes gain popularity, as more people want to connect with nature
People have harvested wild foods for millennia, but learning how to do it today is harder, because fewer people have those skills. These groups are teaching people to eat “field to fork” again.
