Champaign considers increase in stormwater utility fee, seeks funding for road maintenance
Champaign’s draft capital improvements plan discusses various road and infrastructure projects. Officials discussed concerns with the adoption of electric vehicles, noting the change is reducing local gas tax revenue for road improvements.
Illinois’ budget picture tightens in final stretch amid economic uncertainty
Deputy governor warns state has limited ability to increase spending.
Rep. Sorensen questions Hegseth about Rock Island layoffs, voiding union contracts
Sorensen questioned Hegseth about the decision to cut up to 150 jobs at Rock Island Arsenal during a hearing held by the House Armed Services Committee on April 29.
IDPH is investigating a potential Hantavirus case in Winnebago County
IDPH stresses that the case is not connected to a recent outbreak in the news on the MV Hondius cruise ship.
Urbana appoints new fire chief
Steven Doggett will take over the position from Urbana’s interim fire chief, Tal Prendergast. He’s been serving in the interim role since December.
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois May 14 – May 17
Lots of events with live music happening in central Illinois this weekend as well as the chance to learn about a Japanese art form
Blowing Dust Advisory in effect for Central Illinois
Drivers are encouraged to take precautions in encountering dust on the road.
How do data centers benefit the places where they’re built? Local mayors give mixed reviews
From taxes and community investment to water and energy depletion, data centers are a polarizing force.
Illinois transportation bills aim to address speeding and bicycle safety
The legislative package includes a high-tech crackdown on extreme speeding and a shift in the legal status of bicyclists on Illinois roads.
Farmers look at new ways to cut costs as turning a profit gets harder
The cost of doing business in agriculture was already high before the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which spiked fertilizer and fuel prices.
As Illinoisans lose federal food assistance, independent grocers face debt, store closure
For some independent grocers, whose profit margins average 2%, a decrease in consumer spending associated with cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program could lead to store closures.
Trump is ending relief for international students from warzones. The relief was not used widely at the University of Illinois
International students from certain countries can work more hours and take fewer courses than is usually legal under Special Student Relief (SSR).
U of I restores access to the Canvas learning platform following ransomware attack
U of I restored access to the Canvas platform after verifying there were no security risks to bringing the platform back online after a ransomware attack.
Family, friends, supporters honor fallen Illinois police officers
Police officers, families and state officials gathered in Springfield to honor Illinois members of law enforcement who have died in the line of duty.
City of Champaign budget proposal calls for new homeless services manager, boosting fire department staff
The city’s budget proposal calls for new spending that would continue gun violence prevention programs, support homelessness services and fund pedestrian-friendly road construction projects. Officials also authorized funding to keep the Strides shelter open through June.
These citizen scientists track frog calls to monitor ecosystem health
Volunteers with FrogWatch USA track frog calls during mating season to collect data about ecosystem health.
Vaccinations for children in Illinois increased this school year, data shows
The state’s School Vaccination Coverage Dashboard shows that coverage rates for all school-required childhood immunizations are holding steady compared to last year, and all but one of those immunizations is above the state’s 95% coverage goal to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
Rep. LaHood again calls for ‘off ramp’ on U.S. war in Iran to bring fuel costs down
As an advocate for budget responsibility, LaHood admitted he is uneasy about the escalating cost of the war, estimated by some analysts and government officials to be approaching $50 billion.
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