House votes to claw back $1.1 billion from public media
The House of Representatives narrowly approved legislation Thursday to claw back two years of federal funding for public media outlets.
WATCH LIVE: Pritzker testifies before Congress on immigration policies in Illinois
This hearing comes as the Trump administration’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants has expanded in recent days.
Lack of state funding could put Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District’s future projects on hold
The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District plans to expand its services next year, but that goal could be delayed if the state doesn’t provide the needed funding.
Democratic governors defend immigration policies before Republican-led House panel
Members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform sat in front of large, full-color posters showing men who they said were in the country illegally when they were arrested for crimes in Illinois, Minnesota and New York — home of the governors testifying before the committee.
At least 240 people, including those on the ground, killed in the Air India crash, official says
One passenger survived the crash of an Air India plane bound for London that killed at least 240 people Thursday in Ahmedabad, one of India’s worst airline disasters in decades, officials said.
Illinois lawmakers strengthen law requiring hospital care for sexual assault survivors
The bill’s passage comes a year after APM Reports revealed that dozens of hospitals violated the 49-year-old law.
217 Today: What’s Happening in Champaign – Urbana Jun. 12 – Jun. 15
In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about what is coming to the Central Illinois area in the world of arts, culture and entertainment.
FanDuel eyes 50-cent fee on every Illinois sports bet, thanks to new state tax
FanDuel announced plans Tuesday to slap a $0.50 transaction fee on every online wager placed in Illinois, an additional juice that the sports betting behemoth says it has to squeeze because state lawmakers are saddling sportsbooks with a new tax on every bet they take.
Thousands gather to protest ICE raids in Chicago, Los Angeles
At least two protests against recent ICE arrests will hit Chicago’s streets Tuesday, the latest in a string of demonstrations in support of immigrant communities in the city.
LA police swiftly enforce downtown curfew as protests against Trump’s immigration crackdown continue
Police swiftly enforced a curfew in downtown Los Angeles, making arrests moments after it took effect, while deploying officers on horseback and using crowd-control projectiles to break up a group of hundreds demonstrating against President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.
‘Rainbow Reflections’ makes LGBTQ+ history tangible in the Spurlock Museum’s first-ever Pride exhibit
The exhibit, curated by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Ph.D. student Dale Mize, features a collection of objects representing queer history from Champaign-Urbana and around the world.
Next U of I chancellor talks AI, responding to Trump policies and comic books
University of Illinois Chancellor Designate Charles Isbell holds a PhD in electrical engineering and computer science from MIT. His research focuses on artificial intelligence.
217 Today: Trump’s on a pardon spree, prison looms for Madigan, and Blago wouldn’t wish sentencing on his ‘worst enemy’
In today’s deep dive, after former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is sentenced this week, could his next move be to seek President Trump’s intervention?
Feds to retry Sen. Emil Jones after mistrial on bribery, lying to FBI charges
Federal prosecutors on Tuesday announced they intend to retry state Sen. Emil Jones III after his April trial on charges of bribery and lying to the FBI ended in a hung jury.
Despite setbacks, gun rights groups continue push to overturn Illinois assault weapons ban
Gun rights advocates once again are asking a federal appeals court in Chicago to overturn Illinois’ ban on assault-style firearms and large-capacity magazines in a case that may be destined for the U.S. Supreme Court.
Trump’s on a pardon spree, prison looms for Madigan, and Blago wouldn’t wish sentencing on his ‘worst enemy’
Many wonder if President Donald Trump would grant clemency to Mike Madigan.
OSF Healthcare to merge Urbana and Danville hospitals into one system
The organization says the move will expand mental health treatment options and reduce duplication — though some employees say the announcement caught them off guard.
Ranchers may have to relearn how to fight an old enemy — the New World screwworm
New World screwworms used to be a constant concern for ranchers, until they were eradicated from the U.S. in the 1960’s. Now that they’re on their way back, those who remember dealing with them have warnings about their impact.
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.
Meet the team
Reginald Hardwick
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Host of The 21st
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