
Plans for a downtown square in Savoy move ahead with new developer
The village announced in a news release this week it has selected Main Street Development Partners to redevelop a nearly three-acre site at the corner of Dunlap Avenue and Church Street.

500 days and counting: What’s next for contract negotiations at the Urbana Free Library?
Contract negotiations between the union representing library workers and the Urbana Free Library Board have stalled over disagreements about wage increases. The meeting with a neutral mediator, scheduled for Oct. 29, aims to move things forward.

WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois October 29-November 1
Halloween events, musical performances and a celebration for cat lovers are all happening this weekend in Central Illinois.

Champaign Unit 4 board approves 3-year contract for support staff
The board unanimously approved a contract for support staff that includes raises totaling about 5% to 9%, but some union members say that’s not enough for the lowest-paid workers.

Danville display of global signposts set for a major makeover
The project is made possible through a $12,000 grant funded by the Illinois Arts Council.

Sheriff Dustin Heuerman and Gregory Worrell discuss immigration enforcement, Flock cameras in candidate interviews
Democratic incumbent Champaign County Sheriff Dustin Heuerman and Republican Gregory Worrell, participated in candidate interviews at Illinois Public Media’s studios.

America @ 250: Ani Apresyan has a question for America’s young people, and another for the older generation
Ani Apresyan is an Economics and Political Science major at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She’s currently Student Board President, Democracy Fellow and Student Engagement intern at the University YMCA.

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.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign hosts first of its kind summit on a perennial grass
Miscanthus is a perennial grass plant that can be used for energy and building materials. Researchers hope it will be widely adapted by farmers and the bioenergy and bioproduct sectors.

This U of I environmental scientist hopes his research will help promote sustainable farming practices
Kaiyu Guan uses satellite sensing data, mathematical modeling and artificial intelligence to measure plant growth. He’s one of 20 MacArthur Fellows who will receive $800,000 over the next five years to help fund their research.

Aidan Laughery, Collin Dixon score TDs as Illinois beats Oregon 21-10
Aidan Laughery had 123 yards rushing and a touchdown and Collin Dixon made a diving catch for a 23-yard score late in the fourth quarter as Illinois defeated Oregon 21-10.

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.


