
ComEd defendants: Trump order means case with Madigan ties should be put on hold
If the defendants are successful, it could be the first time Trump’s actions have had a direct known effect on an active public corruption case in Chicago.

School e-learning days, closings and delays for Tuesday, February 18
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY Promise Healthcare at 424 E. Wabash in Rantoul will be closed Tuesday due to problems with the building’s

Trump’s tariffs raise alarms for Illinois farm industry
The Illinois Farm Bureau is concerned about harm to the state’s farmers from potential tariffs on the United States’ top three agricultural trading partners: Mexico, Canada and China.

Forecasters: Bitter cold wind chills this week
Very cold temps will grip the region this week with night time wind chills well below zero tonight through Thu night.

Bogs sink carbon dioxide ‘like no ecosystem on Earth,’ but many are at risk of being drained
Peat bogs sequester a massive amount of the Earth’s carbon dioxide. But even as scientists work to better understand bogs’ sequestration, the wetlands are under threat.

Illinois health officials taking bird flu precautions despite assessing no ‘active risk’ to humans
The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention says the risk of an outbreak of the bird flu in humans is low, although Illinois’ health department is preparing for the possibility.

217 Today: School police ticketed Rockford students nearly $60K for in-school incidents. A new bill wants to end the practice in Illinois.
In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn why Illinois lawmakers just introduced legislation to ban school-based ticketing.

Fighting Illini Women beats Nebraska 77-68; Illinois sets program record with eight straight Big Ten wins
CHAMPAIGN — Senior guard Adalia McKenzie had 23 points, eight rebounds and four steals against Nebraska. Illinois beat Nebraska 77-68

No. 11 Michigan State beats Illinois 79-65; Izzo passes Knight in Big Ten coaching victories
Jaxson Kohler had 23 points and 10 rebounds, Tre Holloman scored 14 points and No. 11 Michigan State rallied to beat Illinois 79-65 and giving the Spartans’ Tom Izzo the most conference wins in Big Ten history.

Black History Month: Exploring Afrofuturism and Black liberation in today’s America
What is Afrofuturism? And can it be a tool to reimagine the future for Black Americans?

After week of violence, Urbana police department promote plan to prevent, neighborhood by neighborhood
URBANA — Darnell “DJ” Wicks was 7 and loved Spider-Man. Sherman McCraney was 18 years old. Melvin Braxton was 43.

Champaign councilman discusses city resources with constituents as he tries to atone for swastika post
Councilman Davion Williams is under fire after changing his Facebook profile picture on Jan. 31 to an image of a swastika with a caption that said it’s an ancient symbol that’s been used for thousands of years across multiple cultures to denote good fortune, well-being and spirituality.

217 Today: Madigan jurors give insight into deliberations that led to conviction
In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about Timothy Nessner—the jury foreman who signed off on Madigan’s landmark guilty verdict.

WILL Call: What’s Happening in Champaign-Urbana Feb. 13 – Feb. 16
Listen to Kimberly Schofield and Adelyn Mui talk about weekend events on IPM News AM 580 and FM 90.9 –

One year later: Family of U of I freshman who died from hypothermia focus on prevention
When IPM News first spoke to Akul Dhawan’s parents, they blamed campus police for failing to find him. Now, they just want to move forward.

Durbin endorses DeShawn Williams for Urbana mayor
Durbin is backing Champaign County’s Chief Deputy Treasurer DeShawn Williams. The senator called him “a leader” with a record of supporting local businesses.

Midwest biofuel industry hopes to gain more miles under Trump’s new term, but uncertainty remains
Biofuel advocates calling on the new administration to increase ethanol and biodiesel volumes in the country’s fuel supply, expand E15 gasoline and clarify tax credits.

USAID funding freeze halts food security and ag research at Midwest university labs
The Soybean Innovation Lab based at the University of Illinois has laid off 30 employees and expects to shut down in the spring if funding isn’t restored.
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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