Skip to content
  • About Us
  • Agriculture
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Politics
  • WILL Call
  • Student Newsroom
  • Donate Now
America @ 250. The questions before us
Police sirens
Criminal Justice

Rantoul teen found dead after flooding accident in rural Champaign County

The county coroner’s office said the body of Elias A. Smith, 17 was found Monday in a flooded drainage ditch in Condit Township, west of Rantoul.

IPM News August 18, 2026
A grandmother and her adoptive son hug outside a school building.
Education

As Urbana District 116 students return to school, parents reflect on outgoing superintendent

Emily Hays August 18, 2026
Champaign County Executive Steve Summers leans forward with his chin in his hand as he speaks into a microphone.
Government

Bipartisan group of Champaign County Board members thwart vote on home rule, blocking a plan to ban data centers

Abigail Bottar August 17, 2026
Education

This Rockford middle school disciplines Black students more than any school in Illinois

Illinois Public Radio August 17, 2026
Darren Bailey

Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey on SAFE-T Act, budget, and Illinois schools

IPM News August 17, 2026

Republican candidate for Illinois governor, Darren Bailey discussed why he decided on a second run for governor last week on the 21st Show.

A hand holds a dark leaf that's curled at the edges.

Pesticides can drift for miles, injuring plants. That can hurt farmers’ bottom-line

Abigail Bottar August 17, 2026

Dicamba, a potent herbicide, can drift miles away from where it’s originally sprayed. There’s little recourse for farmers whose plants are damaged by the pesticide.

America @ 250: Allan Crandell discusses how we can again find meaning as Americans

Illinois Student Newsroom August 17, 2026

Dr. Allan Crandall has provided psychotherapeutic and medical services to people throughout central Illinois and in Arizona, New Mexico, Alaska and Colorado.

Urbana High School AI

Urbana teachers to receive annual 5% raise under new contract

Emily Hays August 14, 2026

Under the new contract, teachers in Urbana will get 5% raises each year for the next 3 years.

This group of Philo students are sharing their love for Ukraine at the Illinois State Fair

Emily Hays August 14, 2026

Two sisters and their friend won an award at the Champaign County Fair for their presentation on Ukrainian culture.

Bright green pieces of land sit in a river.

Excess nutrients can lie dormant in soil for years before polluting rivers, study finds

Harvest Public Media August 14, 2026

U.S. Geological Survey researchers developed models to better understand the timing and sources contributing to nutrient pollution in streams and rivers. They say their findings can help guide efforts to improve water quality.

A bird opens it mouth as if to chirp will standing on cotton plants. The sky is light blue and has fluffy white clouds.

Synthetic fabrics kneecapped American cotton. Industry leaders have a plan to revive it

Harvest Public Media August 14, 2026

Fewer people are buying cotton thanks to the rise of synthetic fibers like nylon and polyester. Now, the U.S. cotton industry wants to boost demand for American-grown cotton with tax credits and marketing campaigns.

Urbana District 116 superintendent plans to say good-bye after this school year

Emily Hays August 13, 2026

Jennifer Ivory-Tatum has led the district for seven years.

2026 butter cow: ‘Miles of Smiles’ is State Fair’s theme in celebration of Route 66

Capitol News Illinois August 13, 2026

The Illinois State Fair will run from Aug. 13-23 in Springfield.

Dekalb school

DeKalb and Aurora are flush with data center cash. They differ in how to spend it

Illinois Public Radio August 13, 2026

Since the Meta Data Center has operated in DeKalb, it has accumulated $72 million in additional property tax revenue for the city. In Aurora, officials are being purposely cautious with data centers and choosing to not spend their new revenue yet on specific projects.

Deshawn Williams

Urbana Mayor DeShawn Williams’ state of the city address highlights decrease in crime, plans to confront housing challenges

Lyric Roy August 12, 2026

Mayor Deshawn Williams spoke at his State of the City address about public works improvements, including new street lights and sidewalks as well as public safety and violence prevention.

Pritzker Bailey

Pritzker, Bailey seek to convince farmers at forum they’re the best candidate for agriculture

Capitol News Illinois August 12, 2026

Illinois farmers heard pitches from incumbent Gov. JB Pritzker and downstate Republican farmer Darren Bailey on Monday as each argued they’re best positioned to address agricultural issues.

Central Illinois under Severe Thunderstorm Watch

IPM News August 12, 2026

Hail, damaging wind gusts, and heavy rainfall are expected. 

A man on a gold cart drives through a field. Colorful greens and flowers grow in the foreground.

WILL Call: What’s Happening in Central Illinois August 13 – 16

Sam Rink August 12, 2026

A singer-songwriter showcase, a fall plant sale, a vegetarian soul food buffet and more are happening in Central Illinois this weekend.

A group of people sit in chairs in a semi circle against a wall. They look at a big piece of white paper hanging on the wall. A woman to the left of the paper speaks into a microphone.

Champaign County group rallying against data centers hosts second information session

Abigail Bottar August 11, 2026

Resist AI Data Centers in Champaign County launched last month to push against data center development in the county.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker makes his case for a third term on The 21st Show

IPM News August 11, 2026

Governor JB Pritzker discussed issues with certain prisons in Illinois, public distrust of billionaires, and what he hopes to accomplish if given the opportunity to serve as governor for another term on the 21st Show.

utility lines

Champaign residents have until Wednesday to opt out of electric aggregation agreement

Abigail Bottar August 11, 2026

Champaign officials have signed an agreement with Homefield Energy to be the city’s new energy supplier.

Load More
America @ 250: The questions before us
217 Today
Powered by the Tomorrow.io Weather API
IPM News Election 2026
The purple and white Logo of the 21st Show and Podcast.

The 21st Show

A public radio talk show that brings you the news, culture, and stories that matter to Illinois.

Listen Now

Dialogue

Each week Dialogue features interviews people across the region along with in-depth stories from the IPM News team about education, health, politics, arts, and more as it relates to local Black communities. Dialogue airs Saturdays at 11 am and Tuesdays at 7 pm on Illinois Soul FM 101.1 and streams live at illinoissoul.org and can be heard Wednesdays at 8 pm on WILL-AM 580.

Listen Now
Champaign's Honorary Streets: The Stories Behind the Signs
  • Accessibility at Illinois
  • Admissions
  • Alumni
  • Athletics
  • Bookstore
  • Calendar
  • Campus Directory
  • Campus Map
  • COVID-19
  • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
  • Emergency
  • Employment
  • Giving
  • Mental Health
  • WILL Home
  • Office of the Chancellor
  • Office of the Provost
  • Research
  • Student Assistance Center
  • University of Illinois System
About Cookies
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • © 2024 University of Illinois