Champaign County voters could see polling locations close — unless more people become election judges
Champaign County currently has a shortage of 120 election judges. If the gap isn’t filled, the county may see certain polling locations close on Election Day, affecting voters’ experiences.
UPDATE: Mahomet-Seymour staff vote for new contract, averting strike
Several union members urged the school board on Monday night to prioritize the well-being of their staff.
Youth Literature Festival brings authors, storytelling to Champaign-Urbana
The free, family-friendly event — held every two years since 2008 — is designed to place literature and the arts at the center of young people’s lives.
Body found near Alma Mater statue on campus ID’d, ‘no signs of foul play’
University police said in a statement that the deceased person is Alex C. Rodriguez, 29 and that he was not affiliated with the University of Illinois.
Diesel has never been more expensive. That’s squeezing farmers as harvest begins
Conflicts in Iran and Russia are causing diesel prices to spike globally. That’s especially hurting U.S. farmers as they head into harvest season, the most fuel intensive period of the agricultural year.
‘The people united will never be defeated’: Protesters voice concerns about data center impacts on environment
Protesters condemned the construction of future data centers, arguing they produce more harm than good.
‘I don’t want my children to be guinea pigs anymore’: inside the movement to rethink screentime in Illinois schools
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), just over 50% of teens report four or more hours of screentime per day — not including schoolwork
C-U Marching Showcase unites local high schools through music
Marching bands from Urbana High School, Central and Centennial gathered for a night of food, fun and performance. The annual event serves as a fundraiser for the bands.
A 4-touchdown day puts Jeremiah Smith in rare Ohio State company against Illinois
Jeremiah Smith finished with 12 catches for 217 yards, and his four TDs tied a school record as No. 7 Ohio State opened Big Ten Conference play with a 42-19 victory over Illinois.
Unit 4 opens its middle school doors as Champaign voters weigh $192 million renovation plan
Middle schools are overcrowded and in need of updates and expansions, district officials say, noting that annual tax rates won’t increase as a result of the “Building Better Schools” referendum.
Dozens of deaths in Illinois jails missing from state records
An Illinois Answers Project analysis revealed that 63 people who died in jails were missing from state data on in-custody fatalities. Now the state is auditing its records.
This USDA lab has studied threats to food and farms for decades. Now its scientists must relocate
Federal scientists are still scrambling to find new jobs or relocate across the country as Maryland’s Beltsville Agricultural Research Center’s last days of operation approach. Even as their personal lives upend, employees are concerned that BARC’s legacy of impactful research will be left behind.
Escapes. Fires. Rebellions. Trove of records reveals chaos inside Illinois county jails.
Jail staff are supposed to report any “extraordinary or unusual occurrences” to the Jail and Detention Standards Unit (JDSU) within the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). But jails have been haphazardly reporting for years, and some incidents were never disclosed to the JDSU.
American hemp sellers prepare for a looming ban on most of their products: ‘This is devastating’
Beginning in December, new federal restrictions will make many hemp products illegal. Businesses in the industry are getting ready to close down most or all of their operations, while advocates hope there’s still time to change course before the ban begins.
Danville residents rally behind proposed Kickapoo Rail Trail expansion
Trails of the Grand Prairie, a nonprofit working to expand the Kickapoo Rail Trail, is applying for a state grant to extend the trail to Danville.
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois September 24 – 27
A warbirds and classics air show, agriculture education activities, live music and more are coming to central Illinois this weekend.
U of I Extension warns to leave the mountain lion in the area alone
The extension says those in Jackson and Union counties should keep pets and children indoors or under supervision.
Federal delays are holding up $21 billion for rural internet projects, as states wait for guidance
State officials can’t spend billions in federal funding to connect remote areas to the internet until the Trump administration provides information on how to use the money. Broadband offices are hopeful guidance is on the way – but when remains unclear.
