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IPM News Election 2026 Voter Guide
two men sitting in podcast studio at IPM.
Politics

Champaign County Clerk candidates disagree on Trump’s SAVE Act, decline to discuss federal charges

Champaign County’s incumbent clerk, Democrat Aaron Ammons, faces a challenge from Republican Alan Anderson. During a candidate forum hosted by IPM, the two discussed election administration and local challenges. They declined to comment on allegations against Ammons in a federal indictment.

Reginald Hardwick October 28, 2026
A brown bird stands on dirt behind some trees. An enclosed structure sits behind the bird. A wall runs in the background.
Environment

Conservationists sound the alarm on Trump’s Endangered Species Act changes

Harvest Public Media October 28, 2026
Urbana Public Library
Community

500 days and counting: What’s next for contract negotiations at the Urbana Free Library?

Illinois Student Newsroom October 28, 2026
Arts & Culture

WILL CALL: What’s Happening in Central Illinois October 29-November 1

Sam Rink October 28, 2026
Unit 4 Champaign meeting

Champaign Unit 4 board approves 3-year contract for support staff 

IPM News October 27, 2026

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 signposts

Danville display of global signposts set for a major makeover

IPM News October 27, 2026

The project is made possible through a $12,000 grant funded by the Illinois Arts Council.

Sheriff Dustin Heuerman and Gregory Worrell

Sheriff Dustin Heuerman and Gregory Worrell discuss immigration enforcement, Flock cameras in candidate interviews

Arjun Thakkar October 27, 2026

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

Charles Ledford October 27, 2026

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.

Illinois Public Radio October 26, 2026

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.

Tall grass blows in the wind.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign hosts first of its kind summit on a perennial grass

Abigail Bottar October 26, 2026

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.

A man smiles at the camera while standing in front of a tall machine that stretches out of the top of the frame and a field of green crops. He wears a black T-shirt and a green baseball cap.

This U of I environmental scientist hopes his research will help farmers build sustainable practices

Illinois Student Newsroom October 26, 2026

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.

football players

Aidan Laughery, Collin Dixon score TDs as Illinois beats Oregon 21-10

Associated Press October 25, 2026

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.

A screenshot of four white men sitting along a table at a county board meeting.

Champaign County Board passes ban on NDAs regarding county business

Illinois Student Newsroom October 24, 2026

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

Emily Hays October 23, 2026

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

Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk October 23, 2026

A federal program promises to pay for farmland preservation. Few landowners are taking advantage.

ComEd

Data centers will cost ComEd $3 billion but consumer groups worry Illinois households will be on the hook

Illinois Public Radio October 22, 2026

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. sits in front of a microphone.

Whitfield Harrington Jr. seeks to bring Illinoisans back to the center as third party candidate for U.S. Senate

IPM News October 22, 2026

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.

An aerial shot of a green tractor pulling a red piece of farm equipment through a line of hay. Lines of baled hay lie to the left and right, while another line of loose hay lies directly to the right.

American hay growers face triple whammy of drought, pests and high fuel costs

Harvest Public Media October 22, 2026

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

Illinois Student Newsroom October 22, 2026

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.

Wymer Hall Gies College of Business

Businessman Larry Gies to become U of I’s largest donor after pledging $100 million towards business college

IPM News October 21, 2026

The new pledge is in addition to Gies’ $150 million donation to the business school in 2017 and a $100 million donation to the athletics department in 2025.

University of Illinois Senate plans to review Flock automated license plate reader contract

Emily Hays October 21, 2026

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has 20 automated license plate readers through Flock Safety. The University Senate resolved Monday to give the public more information about the contracts.

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America @ 250: The questions before us
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.

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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.

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Champaign's Honorary Streets: The Stories Behind the Signs